It’s starting to heat up out there! While many runners thrive in the warmer months, running in the heat and humidity can increase your risk for dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. By following these common sense rules, you can decrease your chance of having any of these issues.
- Stay Hydrated -You’ve heard it again and again, but it still bears repeating. Hydration is the key to avoiding heat-related disorders. In training, drink before workouts and make sure you have access to fluids if exercising longer than 30 minutes. During longer workouts, consider supplementing your water with a sports drink in order to replace lost minerals and electrolytes.
- Choose the Right Clothing
- Run Early If Possible -Morning (before sunrise or right after) is the coolest time of the day to run since the roads have not heated up during the day. If you cannot run in the early mornings, try to avoid running between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is at its most intense.
And, as always, make sure to LISTEN to your body. If you feel like you need to slow down, you probably should!
-Opt for light-colored, loose –fitting clothes and choose synthetic fibers instead of cotton in order to stay as cool as possible.