Red face

[Nohare]

Another question I'm sure you guys can help me on please.

I've just completed run 7 week 3, I am back at work now and only managing one run a week for three reasons, rest days, running after a long day at work nearly killed me. and the one I'm hoping you may have tips on, my face goes beetroot red and stays like that for an hour so. This means running before work is a no no, it looks comical but that doesn't bother me too much, I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to calm it down, what's worrying me most is that it's not even warm at the moment, what will happen when I'm running on nice warm or hot days, will I be able to then?! I've tried a water spray and I am still running very slowly 🤔 Anyone got any ideas to relieve this please?

[Tasha99 Graduate]

I think it might calm down once you get used to running more. Try slowing down too 👍🏽

[Nohare in reply to Tasha99]

Fingers crossed 😊 thank you.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

I don't think your face should stay red for so long, it's quite normal for anyone's face to be red for a few minutes after a run but an hour is a bit long, slow down a little and drink plenty of water before you run.

[Nohare in reply to AlMorr]

Water uptake may well be the answer, thank you.

[nowster Graduate]

I remember several early runs giving me beetroot face. It doesn't happen to me nowadays.

The flushing is your metabolism stepping up for the run and taking some time to step down afterwards.

[Nohare in reply to nowster]

I'm hopeful it will improve the fitter I get, thanks for the reply 😊

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

I still get a very red face by the end of a run but it’s not as bad as when I first started

[Nohare in reply to SueAppleRun]

Hope for an improvement yet then 😊 thanks for the reply.

[nowster Graduate in reply to Nohare]

I always seem to sweat a lot in the small of the back for some reason, even when doing a brisk walk. No idea why just there!

[Nohare in reply to nowster]

I don't sweat at all, I wonder if this is why my heat escapes just from my face, hence the beetroot colour 🙄

[Clairegulliver]

This still happens to me and I’ve been running for quite a while now. I’m quite fair so not sure if it has anything to do with that, or hydration? Following with interest as I’m not sure why either!

[Nohare in reply to Clairegulliver]

I am fair too and had this when I was at school but I haven't really excercised for years, it's only since I started c25k that I remembered. I also don't really sweat and wonder if it's my body's way of cooling down?! Thanks for your reply as it's nice to know there's not an easy remedy that I'm missing.

[Jensmuse]

I always get tomato face even in rain.

I joined a running group on Facebook and it turns out they embrace the tomato face and turned it into this big thing which made me less self conscious about it

[Nohare in reply to Jensmuse]

Thank you for that, I love that approach, I'd be top of the group 😂 I am not really self conscious about it when I'm running, it's more trying to recover quicker ready for work or even if it's going to get worse in the heat 🤔

[Poppyjane]

Do you take any medication that might cause it? I'm noticing a lot less beetroot face since reducing my antidepressants, although now I'm cold all the time! First light is the coolest time of day... I checked. X

[Nohare in reply to Poppyjane]

Thanks for your reply, I'm not on any medication, I do remember I had it when I was younger too. Seems to be in my makeup 🙄 First light does seem the best option.

[Squishy16 Graduate]

I’m a red head and always get the beetroot and it lasts around as long as you say. I run at 6.30, then by the time I’ve showered, breakfasted, done the school runs and got to work, I’m about looking normal!!!

[Nohare in reply to Squishy16]

It's good to know I'm not the only one with that recovery time, I'm on the road by 7am so I'm going to have to get more organised I think, thanks for your reply it's really appreciated 😊

[roseabi]

I used to be like this! It improved over time and as I got fitter, although I couldn't say categorically that fitness improves it. I still get really quite pink sometimes - some people, particularly those of a fair complexion, are just prone to it - do you find you blush easily? Flushing can also be due to rosacea (which I have), or menopausal symptoms.

It would be helpful if you keep your runs to the coolest parts of the day, have a good cool-down walk afterwards, and when you have finished drink a cold drink, lots of ice, cold flannel on the face. And use lots of moisturiser, preferably fragrance-free to avoid irritating your skin. Sun block on your face while running, too!

I will say that swimming might be beneficial. I did a lot of swimming before I took up running, and I think it did great things for my cardiovascular fitness while keeping my face cool. By the time I did start running my beetroot face was not so bad - might be worth a try if you enjoy it? It's a great complement to running 😊😊😊

[Nohare in reply to roseabi]

I'm hoping it will improve as I am obviously still early days, my 25 minutes are still a struggle and certainly not a breeze. It would make sense with what you're saying about the swimming having helped too, I am fair skinned so must be prone to it.I won't stop the running anyway, just not as easy to fit in around normal life now. Thanks for your reply, I'll be uping the water intake and cold flannels etc for sure.

[roseabi in reply to Nohare]

I remember people asking me if I had high blood pressure!!!! So annoying, I really don't 😂 I think to a certain extent you just need to get used to wearing your beetroot with pride, but just make sure you feel OK after exercise, and drink plenty of fluids too.

[Nohare in reply to roseabi]

I will thank you, I really must up my water intake, I never take in enough 😒 A lot of responses have said it doesn't seem to be hydration but it's definitely worth a try for me, even if it's only to count it out.

[roseabi in reply to Nohare]

From my point of view it is more to make sure you are feeling well after exercise, because you are getting so warm. I recommend only drinking as much fluid as you feel you need xxx

[apatsyf Graduate]

I have exactly the same problem - obviously worse if I AM very hot 🥵. But whatever exercise I have ever done, even when a fit, young thing playing hockey at school, my face went red, even if I was not hot or tired. Didn't seem to have any link to fitness, hormones, dehydration..... I did wonder if it was a reaction to my moisturiser in some way, but I don't think so. I can only put it down to being very fair and with sensitive skin....... Has happened for the last 55 years, so just me, I guess!! 😊☺️🤷‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Maurs12 Graduate in reply to apatsyf]

Me too! You’re not alone - I looked it up before and I think it’s just how some of are built!

[Nohare in reply to Maurs12]

Always feels better to not be alone, thank you.

[Nohare in reply to apatsyf]

I think you're right, it's just me. I have tried the water spray and apparently aloe vera helps but hasn't seemed to make much of a difference. I'm glad I'm older now, 53 means I don't worry the way I would have of how I look, certainly not when I'm running at least 😁 Thanks so much for your reply, I'm obviously not missing some easy remedy.

[Comfortnotspeed]

I still get a red face. Usually rights itself after a shower. I’ve got to the point where I don’t really think about it any more. 🌸😊🌸

[Nohare in reply to Comfortnotspeed]

It's a good point, I'm not letting it stop the benefits I've got from running, that's for sure. Thank you for the reply.

[Sarararara Graduate]

After 3 years I still get a red face until after a shower. I see it as a badge of honour for a good cardio workout!

I’d suggest running in the cooler evenings and thinking of it as a me-time reward at the end of the day.

[Nohare in reply to Sarararara]

You're so right, I can't believe I'm at 25 minutes so a small price to pay, it wasn't a problem through lockdown, just not ideal when showering and straight off to work 😂😂 Thanks for your reply, I like the badge of honour thought.

[OrangeDrizzle]

I'm having the same problem, and am so glad you asked. And I'm also in Week 7! Things that seem to help a little bit are if the weather is cooler or a bit windy, having a cold (well less warm) shower quickly and as soon as I get in the door I cover my face with a microfibre cloth soaked in v cold tap water and keep reapplying between stretches. Not glamorous but hey. Despite this I'm still bright red after 30 min and still somewhat flushed after another 30 min. I'm taking heart from not being alone and some of the other helpful comments.

[Nohare in reply to OrangeDrizzle]

Sorry I had replied to your message but I can't have pressed post?! Thank you for the tips, I'm thinking of running with a damp microfibre cloth, not sure my slow speed will keep it cool though 😊 but worth a try.... There's been some great replies coming through, in some ways I'm just pleased to know there wasn't a simple solution I didn't know about and it's just my makeup and as you say I'm not alone.

[bgreener Graduate]

I have had the same issue since school days: beet-red face in the gym and people asking if I’m okay. I’m fair-skinned and don’t sweat. I read somewhere along the line that it is a matter of vascularization: more capillaries near the skin in the face that are used for heat regulation (esp when you don’t sweat a lot). Makes sense. I took up walk/run (5k) slow jog about 10 years ago and have found a slow improvement in the condition, especially with quicker recovery from beet-red face. As well, now I sweat more when running. There are a multitude of benefits from this program. Keep at it and perhaps you too will see improvement in this very annoying condition.Good Luck!

[Nohare in reply to bgreener]

Thank you so much, I'm glad I haven't been unaware of some simple remedy, it's apparent it's just my make up and a pain but not the end of the world and I'm not alone 😊