Tuesday 26 May 2009

Summer Running

A bit more about running in hot weather - personally, I much prefer a cold crisp day than a hot muggy one for running! There are some things that can help to make running in warmer weather more comfortable:
  1. Don't expect to run at the same pace when it's hot. Ease off & ensure that you warm up properly. This is especially relevant if you are running when on holiday somewhere hot.
  2. Hydration becomes more important. Try to keep on sipping water during the 2 hour window before running, but don't gulp down pints just before! You might want to try running with water - there are neat oval ring shaped water bottles that are designed for this. There are also waist packs designed to hold water bottles and hydration packs (waist or rucksack types) with a plastic water store. Practise & see what suits you. Drinking after your run is also important - but again, don't gulp large volumes quickly.
  3. Review when you run. Early morning or late evening may be cooler options than midday.
  4. Kit - look for fabrics that are wickable (aka breathable, aka dri fit). These take moisture away from your body, helping you to keep cool and avoid clammy sweaty fabric sticking to your skin. These tend to be better than cotton which gets heavy when wet. Wickable fabrics also tend to be made with flatter seams so they chafe less.
  5. Sun safety - remember to wear sunscreen. A hat (e.g. baseball cap) can help too.
  6. Sunglasses - not essential, but a nice-to-have. If you get hayfever, you may find that wrap around shades help to protect your eyes from becoming irritated.

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