Some advice please

[Ssacha]

I'm off to Greece next week and am due to run W8 runs 2&3 and W9 run 1. Thanks to the shocking summer we've had, I've never experienced running in heat. Does anyone have any tips? I'm really looking forward to being one of those people I used to watch and be very envious of.........is that really bad of me😄!!!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Early rising and good hydration the night before are the best I can offer.

Don't be too hard on yourself if you don't manage all three runs.

So you are going to be one of those smug, lean, mean running machines thinking "Hey, slobs, look at me" as you cruise past the German towels on the empty sunbeds...............yeah, cool!

Enjoy your running tourism.

[Hidden]

Hi Ssacha, okay I had the shocking heat in Italy all summer, so here are mine....

First - scope out your route at the time you intend running it, that way you see where you have shade.

Second wet your vest and hair before you go out. Add hair conditioner to your wet hair so it doesn't fry if not wearing a cap or bandana.

Sunscreen....

Generally it's better to run in the morning as in the evening buildings re radiate the heat out. Don't even think about any time near midday.

I carry a small sippy bottle with iced water in it, as I found it helped me keep my mouth from going dry and also was a handy "cooling mechanism" when I was running. But this last one is contentious although I checked it out on the C25K pages, before doing it. Holding a bottle can affect your balance and posture when running.

If you're hydrated it's not strictly necessary, but here in Italy in the heat of summer for 5k races, they have water stops, so I guess it depends how hot it is ....and how well you cope ordinarily with the heat....

Upside - running in the heat meant I never got cramp!

Have a fab time.

[Ssacha Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks guys. I'm really looking forward to the running......no doubt there may be an alcohol fuelled early morning run in the mix but it's my belief that you have to try everything once!!!

[mrrun Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I knew you wouldn't forget the conditioner But hey, we experienced Lucifer and lived. Pretty mental experience from this perspective, eh? Running at 7am with temperatures already past 30c? God, now I'm being nostalgic

[Hidden in reply to mrrun]

Me too it's blinking cold now.... I am thinking Lucifer has sent his winter cousin early... I'd kill for heat right now!

[Wannabefit19 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

This helped me so much without a doubt 👍

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Listen to IannodaTruffe ... early is best

[Wannabefit19 Graduate]

I have just come back from Greece and did 3 runs ---- wk 7 1,2,3 for me - never ever ran on holiday before . All the advice on your post was given to me and it was brilliant - my first run in Paxos was so emotional and I will always remember it with affection and as a motivator on bad days .

Will watch for your posts - challenging but rewarding if you manage to find appropriate runs . Good luck and enjoy Gorgeous Greece 🌞🌞🌞