HOT STUFF...COOL RUNNING...

[Oldfloss]

THIS IS POSTED ON C25K TOO...hopefully folk will read

Hello

It is that time again... the regular, ( if we have the weather for it), post about running in the heat. Although this advice is for those of us running in the UK, I feel sure that some of it, will apply to those of us running in hotter locations.

This posts is a bit of a mish-mash with sections taken from the excellent posts on hydration put out by our own Realfoodieclub who many of our friends here remember with affection. She is of course still running, having completed the London Marathon most successfully, this year!..

So... one thing we chat about here on the forums is hydration and dehydration . We need to try to support our new runners especially, who may not realise why this is so important.

Here are a few links which may help our new runners and the rest if us too to get a tad more understanding, of why we need to hydrate properly all the time and especially now it is getting much warmer.

What the NHS definition of Dehydration is.

nhs.uk/conditions/dehydration/

Lots of really useful information here too :

runbritain.com/training/run...

We are always giving out the advice to listen to your body. You are your own best friend.

So... and I know this sounds really odd, but look in the LOO !

Look into the toilet bowl after you have had a pee, and judge yourself It may not be wonderfully accurate but it may give you clues!

The NHS one is a useful one.

nhsinform.scot/campaigns/hy...

Taking the idea from RFC's post too.. maybe we could share links on our own tips or suggestions for running in the heat...folk who are doing it now for the first time and the rest of us who have run through hot summers before?

We do sometimes get replies saying, that if we are only running for short distances mins you don’t need fluids, BUT, we are all wonderfully different and what is right for one might not be for another. Remember too, that great hydration is like a healthy eating regime a really good idea, ALL the time if you are a runner!

I do know of one of our most experienced runners who ran a short route and suddenly realised she felt disorientated and giddy, having not taken in enough fluids and who had to make a very slow and unhappy walk back home.

I too, once on a regular early morning run at the coast, realised it was hotter than I thought, I felt very very warm, and fortunately a garage shop in the town was open... I bought a bottle of water and poured it over my wrists and rubbed it over my neck.. because that works for me. I drink plenty of water all the time so it was just a feeling of too hot!

So... some useful links here, I feel.

Do, please, drop in, if you have the time... and let us know how it is going for you.

Oldfloss & The Team

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

This is such a useful reminder Oldfloss , and perfectly timed. I remember the discussions on c25k when I first graduated, and we were all coming up with ideas to feel cooler. I always run with a buff wrapped around the wrist to mop up perspiration on my face. But in summer it can be cooling to wet the buff with cold water. Some of my peer group were putting a wet buff in the freezer so it was really cold. But I don’t think that affect lasted very long.

Drinking plenty of water every day is the thing, especially as we lose so much during the night in the summer.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy... some good ideas there.. and lots of folks have read and replied on the Couch 5K forum, which does hearten me. It is all too easy to suddenly feel a tad out of it, because of dehydration, especially for our newer runners!

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

An iced buff or small towel after a hot run is heavenly 😍

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Bliss...and I do like my feet in cold water too!

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

oh yes!

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

A great reminder Floss. We need so much more water in the heat than we realise. I love putting cucumber into the water and it gives a lovely fresh flavour and isn’t quite so boring as the plain old stuff.

One of my favourite things to do before a hot run is to drench my whole head in water. It reduces your core temperature immediately and feels blissful!

I do wear a hat but then think I’d be cooler without. Sometimes, it’s a little act as I run, hat on, hat off, hat on, hat off …… 😂🙄😂

[mrrun Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Hat is alright if you’re directly exposed to the sun, otherwise you’ll cook the contents even more. I go without, and I go in the open sun. The only concession in terms of protection would be my cool shades to complete the look with my basketball gear. Lovin’ this weather! 🌞😀

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to mrrun]

My cap is a breathable one..large brim and very light...it works for me and I have a lot of very thick hair too!

Me too..the old bones absolutely love it! X

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to mrrun]

Ah but I’m a princess so I always wear a hat to protect my delicate skin from the sun 👒😎

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Natch' Maj xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Cucumber...cool as ..and..on the eyed too..do relaxing ..after the run obviously!🤣I used to stick my head under the tsp when hot...not for years though..maybe I need to try it!

Thanks for these ideas xxx