1. Run smart - As runners, we love to show our tenacity, our drive to push the limits of what was previously thought impossible. While this amazing attribute has gotten many of us through those tough races, it can also result in ignoring common sense. More than one run this summer, either due to heat or humidity (or both!), I should have called it quits early or cut way back. If I had listened to my body in running by feel, fewer runs would have ended in pain and suffering.
2. Hydrate - Dehydration is a sneaky little bugger. It can happen quietly over time that, before we know it, we're panting like crazy for water. Even if carrying a hydration pack or handheld seems unnecessary, it's better to be safe than sorry. I found myself hurting for water more often than I should have.
3. Early to bed, early to rise - Very rarely during the summer do the morning temps happen to be worse than the afternoon. In stalling and ho-humming to the point the sun was high in the sky by the time I hit the road, crazy hot miles for the day were inevitable. Setting the alarm a tad earlier and having everything laid out I need for the run makes all the difference in completing the workout before the day gets too toasty.
4. Dress for success - Dark-colored clothing is the enemy of summer runners. Choosing the wrong color turned me into a human Easy-Bake Oven on more than one occasion. Instead, defaulting for "light and bright" from June to August both keeps me from sweltering as well as wakes up the driver who isn't use to looking for runners on the berm of the road.
5. Enjoy it - Summer is an amazing time to just get out and enjoy the sport we love. Focusing too much on all the factors that could (or did) sabotage my runs made me lose gratitude for what was around me during those miles. Smelling the sweet scent of food on the grill, seeing all the vibrancy of the trees and flowers and hearing so many people out having fun allows me to take in so many things by just being.
How did your summer training go? What have you learned from those many hot miles?
Happy running!
Sean
I didn't mind the summer heat. I prefer that over cold any day. I am so bad at hydration. I had only carried it a few times.
ReplyDeleteI'll take the hot over the chilly runs as well, but this summer was unnaturally brutal. I'm hoping that means that winter won't be as cold!
DeleteI did get caught a few times with not enough water -- even though I was always carrying water with me! Just not always enough. Not even on short runs when they ended up in the middle of the day due to unforeseeable circumstances.
ReplyDeleteI will take cold over hot runs any day! I'm a delicate flower; I wilt in the heat!
I've started having my runs through areas that I know have water fountains since I run out of water so quickly as well. If it could just alternate between autumn and spring, I would be so excited!
DeleteGreat reminders. I am lucky to have lots of water spots in the area where I usually run, and I am a morning person, so didn't get caught in the heat by accident. Its the wearing of flip flops and un supportive shoes that did me in ! My Achilles tendon has been groaning ever since.
ReplyDeleteI made the choice this summer to give up wearing sandals - I missed them so much but my arches greatly appreciated it! Crazy how something like casual shoe choice can make such an impact.
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