Thoughts on running in the heat?

[Curlygurly2]

What are your thought on running when it's hot? I've seen it said that it builds stamina, but I'm not so sure...how hot is it where you are?

[useitorloseit Graduate]

In Cyprus, and I didn't even bother bringing my gear! Last week I reverted to 6am running like last year. I'd forgotten how lovely the cooler mornings could be.

[danzargo Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

I love Cyprus. I want to move there. But bejaysus it's hot innit?

[useitorloseit Graduate in reply to danzargo]

Effing hot. Just fabulous. No good for running though as hot and hills do not appeal to me where running is concerned!

[davelinks Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

No, you don't want to be running in the Troodos mountains, although a lovely place to visit. We stayed in the Coral bay area.

I was in Lanzarote a few weeks back, although I saw quite a few runners there, and is another lovely place, it was too hot for me, so decided just to rest.

[coryluscontorta Graduate]

The only thing it's built in me is a shocking sweat which dripped in my eyes and made them sting. Pah!

[poppypug Graduate in reply to coryluscontorta]

Oh yes I agree Cory, it hurts like hell doesnt it ?

I bought myself an headband yesterday from Sports Direct . I look like a reject from " Fame " but its just the ticket , job done ! xxx

[coryluscontorta Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Hahaha! Seriously? That's excellent. I don't live near shops, but was contemplating tying one of my husbands socks round my head for tomorrows run! Sexy!

[poppypug Graduate in reply to coryluscontorta]

Yes its really good ! Ha ha , that made me laugh about your husbands socks !

I look like a cross between something out of Fame and a Teenage Mutant Hero Turtle ha ha xx

[Hidden]

Hi curly, I am not sure either , I know it felt a lot harder and draining ,even running at what should be a cooler time of day i.e after 6pm and as for sweating haha

I dont think I have ever drank so much water either ,during the day and after running ..

I think running in the cold during the winter is easier .

[Littlepolarbear Graduate]

I did a similar post when the hot weather got to about 17 deg (im a wimp!) but I've actually got used to it, perhaps a case of persevering and building up resilience? Just remember the sun screen!! Xx

[Girlyswot Graduate]

I did parkrun last week in 17 degree heat, a bit much really. I had a much nicer run this week by going out at 6.30am ! (I don't sleep well in hot weather but the run was really nice). Not sure it would do much for my stamina to run in hot weather.

[Frank-ntj]

Hi Curly, I find it hard going when it's hot, I don't really know if it builds stamina as I just take it a little slower. I try to cover the same distance but at times have had to take a walk break where in the cooler weather I run continuously, so not to sure about it.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Frank-ntj]

Last week it took me over 48 minutes to cover 5K, I was actually a bit worried that I might not get home. The hotter it got, the slower I went...

[Vixchile Graduate]

For what it's worth, after going through the summer in chile and come out the other side it certainly improved my running. Maybe it's because I also joined the gym but I feel that the heat made a difference. I told myself I was in warm weather training 😅

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Vixchile]

I was interested to see what you would reply, what sort of temps do you deal with?

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

Here it doesn't get light until 6AM, by which time it is already 25C ..... 37 by 5PM...

[Vixchile Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

firstly, I apologise for long reply....

In nov, dec, April the temps were regularly 30degrees on average. So it was bareable to run in the morning maybe 17-19degrees so to cope I just took cold water. Then when jan, feb, March came the temperatures rose to 36, it was just hot all the time, morning and night it never cooled. Plus in santiago the issue is its encircled by mountains so the heat and pollution can't escape because it's so sheltered and this cause another issue is there is NO Wind. Plus it's such a dry city there is no rain too, we are approaching the heart of winter and it's rained once in 2015!!!

I have had a look back at my Garmin and I did run outside, morning temperatures where 20 plus. I did run early, it's hard, very hard. Your sweating on your warm up walk and in Chile people walk slow and it's clear to see why in the summer. I armed myself with frozen water!! I just had to go slow and stick to short runs, my distance in jan was 63km outside. I just couldn't go far! by feb we gave up as it was just too hot and joined the gym and I ran inside. With a couple of runs outside (I did 3 runs outside in feb and 5 in March) but only if the max temp was 32 or below for that day.

It's hard work running outside, go early but I know it's hot already. Take frozen water with you, go slowly and keep your distances short. It definately helped me keeping some runs outside, but its tough!! Try to stick to shaded parts, take walk breaks, drink loads all day everyday. Make sure your watch your salt intake. Above listen to your body, if you need to stop do so. I didn't do any speed or hills, keep it easy!! Wear sun block and tell yourself the heat won't last forever.

sorry there is no magic answer, but will I be running in the heat again - yes, do I like the cooler temperatures - yes but I feel withthat summer training my running has gone up a notch!

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Vixchile]

Thanks Vix, that's exactly the sort of reply I was hoping to read. I think this years temps are extreme, I did C25K here last year and there was nothing like this...I'm intending to not run if it's more than about 22C, there's almost no shade or flat bits - does that sound sensible to you?

[Vixchile Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

You have to find a temperature that is comfortable for you to run without it turning into torture. Your body will get use to heat too, just take it easy and care of yourself. Humidity is the worse as it takes all your energy.

[danzargo Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Where do you live CG? That's HOT!

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to danzargo]

South of France Dan, Corder Sur Ciel, near Toulouse, in summer. I live in Cambridge Uk in winter.

[danzargo Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

How gorgeous. I envy you.

[ActonHighStreet]

I have to say I don't mind the heat much, even in muggy, sweaty London - but it does slow me down a bit when I'm trying to go fast.

[misswobble Graduate]

I can't give any tips cos sadly, I haven't run in any heat.Sigh It'll probably snowing by the time I get my daps back on

I would run early morning or very late evening as I couldn't stand running if it was boiling. Having said that I ran a 10 mile this day last year and it was way too hot. I coped ok with it but just needed more water. I had to get a swag from someone else as stubbornly (stupidly) I'd not taken any. You might need a hat!!

[Irishprincess Graduate]

I ran in Tenerife earlier this year when it was about 25 degrees and hilly but I did have great runs when I got back to the cooler climate of the UK so something good must have happened! I have heard immersing your head in water just before you go out is a good trick as it reduces your core temperature and keeps you feeling cooler for longer. I haven't tried it yet but might if temperatures here continue to rise.

A friend runs a lot in Spain in the summer and he drinks lots of water and runs very slowly and just accepts that he'll sweat a lot!

In the recent heatwave here, I've just run where there are trees as this is a cooler environment for starters, but I know that for some people this isn't an option.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

That sounds useful, I have a lot of hair, so it might help! Thanks x

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Yes! It helped a lot!

[danzargo Graduate]

Morning running. 6:30am is gorgeous.

[Steve_L Graduate]

I do find it makes running much harder work, and generally seems to slow me down. Having said that, it was fairly warm yesterday at the Parkrun and I was only 10 seconds off my best, so go figure.

I like the warm weather, but do prefer it a bit cooler to run in.

Slightly off topic, I read that in warmer conditions, your heart beats more slowly, but moves more volume of blood with each pump to increase its cooling capacity.

[Coddfish Graduate]

I am afraid I can't handle the heat at all - warm weather means ever earlier runs to avoid it - 6am currently ok!

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

OK, I tried the soaking my hair and head tip, I think it helped a lot, and carried a damp flannel, that was good too until I dropped it in the dirt! Nearly 7K at 7.15AM, found somewhere flat too, I didn't think that existed around here! A good run! Thanks for all the tips guys xx