Cold weather runners - help me prepare for summer running.

[Anonymous]

I will happily run when it’s <30 degrees, and still break a sweat. I LOATHE heat, humidity, collecting bugs on my body with sweat, and everything about summer in DC.

Please help teach me how to power through. Are there any secret “cool” spots. I live along the Mt. Vernon Trail, but it’s very sunny and buggy. Where can I go for some relief?

Can I rent a treadmill in a meat locker?

Please teach me to find a way to push through summer running, and long distance training.

[Anonymous]

I’m not in the DC area so I don’t have specific place recommendations but I also hate summer running. A few things that make it bearable:

Don’t wear a watch every run. Go by feel a few days a week. Your pace is going to be slower when it’s really hot out so just aim for an equivalent EFFORT as if the temperatures were cooler.

Stay hydrated and if you don’t usually run with water, do so. (Or learn where any public water fountains are and plan a route by them.) I like to buy those very small 8 oz. water bottles because they basically fit in the palm of my hand and it’s enough to get me through a few miles a little more comfortably. Also you can refill it for a longer run and it’s still not much of a burden to carry.

Bring along one of those cooling towels. They sell them at Dick’s. I used one for some longer runs and obstacle races. They’re nice to wipe your face, wear around your head sort of as a kerchief if you really need to shade your face (it sounds ridiculous but was a big help during a hot Spartan race I did), and you can re-wet them and keep them damp to help cool yourself down.

[Anonymous]

I have rules in the summer - I run at about 6:30 am. So if the temp at that point is below 65 - woohoo! Between 65 & 68...decent. Between 68 & 70...I go slower or run less. Over 70...usually don't run. Over 72...NEVER!

I swim laps instead (take advantage of the outdoor pools that you don't have the rest of the year) or head to the gym. Normally, I run 15-20 miles a week - during the summer it probably averages 10. And I'm okay with that. Running in insane humidity makes me feel like crap the rest of the day. It keeps me in good enough shape that I don't lose any running ground come fall.

[Anonymous]

Once you get acclimated to the heat, it is not really that bad. Just run in the AM.

[Anonymous]

If you can get used to running on wooded trails (with rocks and tree roots and stuff), it's usually at least 10 degrees cooler under heavy tree cover. There are several trails that fit the bill around here.

Get out as early in the morning as you can. I'll look on my weather app to see what time the sun is rising, and I'll go out about 10 minutes before that time - it's light then.

I carry a bottle of water in one hand and sometimes gatorade in the other and know where drinking fountains are.

I don't bother wearing a tank top over my sports bra most of the time - keeps me cooler. Shorts, not leggings.

[Anonymous]

Bump. Any secret shady or cool spots? Or the coldest possible treadmill locations/gyms?

I like trails for hiking/walking, but for running, ankle twists are a big fear.

[Anonymous]

OP I can totally relate; I too overheat easily and love running in the winter. My only real advice is to run early in the morning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP I can totally relate; I too overheat easily and love running in the winter. My only real advice is to run early in the morning.

Same here. I pass out if I overheat. If I want to run on a warm day, I have to get up early and do it before the heat and humidity set in.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I about died trying to attempt a 30 minute, 5k run today, which should have been easy. I ran 8 on Monday. I ended up doing 2.5 today, and quit.

I hate heat!

[Anonymous]

Same boat - I don't run outside when it's over 70. I'll stick to the treadmill to keep up my cardio fitness, and then try to substitute other outside activity (swimming, tennis, etc) for running. I wish I could do early mornings but I'm just not a morning person and never will be.

[Anonymous]

OP you are my soul sister. I hate the heat too. I trained for the Marine Corps Marathon in 2015. One of the reasons I am one and done is training in the heat. I used a Camelback with the water frozen for long runs, for 8-10 you should be fine with just cold water. I also used a "cool towel" and "cool headband" Those help with the heat too.

Ugh! I feel ya, give me 32F any day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I about died trying to attempt a 30 minute, 5k run today, which should have been easy. I ran 8 on Monday. I ended up doing 2.5 today, and quit.

I hate heat!

Bet you never thought you'd have this problem in February, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I about died trying to attempt a 30 minute, 5k run today, which should have been easy. I ran 8 on Monday. I ended up doing 2.5 today, and quit.

I hate heat!

I ran in Monday and my hands froze. I ran yesterday and today and I had to keep stopping. The problem is the rise in temperature wasn’t gradual. You can’t go from cool to hot. Once spring kicks in officially, and you continue to run outside, you’ll be better prepared for the summer heat and humidity. Your body will adjust.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I about died trying to attempt a 30 minute, 5k run today, which should have been easy. I ran 8 on Monday. I ended up doing 2.5 today, and quit.

I hate heat!

Bet you never thought you'd have this problem in February, right?

Unacceptable for February. We're 30+ degrees above normal. I'm mad that I didn't hit my (easy!!) goal, but the feeling of being overheated was real.

[Anonymous]

You need to run in the morning. Basically 6:30-7:30 you should be ok.