So here in Texas it was 101 degrees today. Humidity is consistently close to 100% too. This presents a real problem for me when it comes to maintaining all the progress I made with the Couch to 5k program. First of all, without the peer pressure I had on me from my friends and race organizers, my discipline slacks off. I have still been running but I no longer have a serious tangible goal and a real action plan that requires dedication to get there.
So a couple of weeks ago I stepped outside at somewhere around 9am to run and I felt like I had to chew up the air to swallow it. I was instantaneously more wet than if I’d taken a shower. I simply could not suck in the air fast enough and I barely made it two miles before I just had to walk a bit.
After that I decided I should move to running indoors at the YMCA. Unfortunately there I realized once again that treadmills just don’t do it for me. Without a horizon ahead of me to aim for, my stamina just is not there. With stupid TV on twelve inches from my face I get super annoyed no matter how great the music I’m listening to is, but it’s better than staring at a wall I think.
So then I tried just getting up earlier to head out for my run. This weekend I hit the pavement of my ‘hood at 6:30am. The sun was already up but it felt bearable, that is until the sun reached over the houses around me and started beating down on me during the second mile.
Why do I keep running at all? First of all when I was really running three times a week during the Couch to 5K and pushing my body I felt fantastic and my clothes fit much better. I like to eat so anything that can offset that is highly useful. Secondly when it’s not oppressively hot outside the first half of my run is mentally freeing and super relaxing. You have to be a runner to understand that.
So if you’re a runner or if you even play tennis or soccer or some other activity in the dead of summer…how do you do it? Do I have to get up at 5:30 am to keep at this without passing out from heat exhaustion three miles away from home? If I keep going at it but just do shorter runs will I eventually get conditioned to running in the heat, or is that just stupid and asking for trouble?
Give me your best advice.
Hi!
I live in PA where it isn’t as hot as TX, but we can have a lot of humidity … so my neighbor and I go out once or twice a week at 5:30 or 6AM.
The best ways for me to stay motivated are …
#1. Having a running buddy … I run 3 or 4 times a week and run with a buddy for 2 of those.
#2. Always have a race on my calendar for sometime in the future … registered for it and then I am more likely to get out the door on days I don’t feel like it because I don’t want to die on race day.
#3. Walking breaks. You might enjoy running more, so then you’ll quicker get out there to do it. Jeff Galloway encourages walking breaks, I experimented with what felt like a good rhythm, for the past 6 months I’ve been running 4 mins and walking 1 min. It makes running more doable and enjoyable … plus I usually have faster times then if I run continually. I completed a half-marathon in April doing 4/1 and felt great the whole time.
Hi!
I live in PA where it isn’t as hot as TX, but we can have a lot of humidity … so my neighbor and I go out once or twice a week at 5:30 or 6AM.
The best ways for me to stay motivated are …
#1. Having a running buddy … I run 3 or 4 times a week and run with a buddy for 2 of those.
#2. Always have a race on my calendar for sometime in the future … registered for it and then I am more likely to get out the door on days I don’t feel like it because I don’t want to die on race day.
#3. Walking breaks. You might enjoy running more, so then you’ll quicker get out there to do it. Jeff Galloway encourages walking breaks, I experimented with what felt like a good rhythm, for the past 6 months I’ve been running 4 mins and walking 1 min. It makes running more doable and enjoyable … plus I usually have faster times then if I run continually. I completed a half-marathon in April doing 4/1 and felt great the whole time.
Hey there!
I live in College Station, TX and I know what you are going through. Waking up early some days is great, or doing it later in the evening will work also. That’s not exactly practical for the working, busy person. I run in the mornings or afternoons with a water bottle full of ice. The ice melts during the run, keeping me cool.
The heat/humidity also has a way of making us feel extremely out of shape. But know that it just takes time to adapt to the heat. Stopping & walking is a must on my long runs. It helps to lower your body temp and heart rate in between those miles!
I hope these little tips help! 🙂
-Brittny
Hey there!
I live in College Station, TX and I know what you are going through. Waking up early some days is great, or doing it later in the evening will work also. That’s not exactly practical for the working, busy person. I run in the mornings or afternoons with a water bottle full of ice. The ice melts during the run, keeping me cool.
The heat/humidity also has a way of making us feel extremely out of shape. But know that it just takes time to adapt to the heat. Stopping & walking is a must on my long runs. It helps to lower your body temp and heart rate in between those miles!
I hope these little tips help! 🙂
-Brittny
I guess running early is best. That’s what I did when I ran.
I guess running early is best. That’s what I did when I ran.
I’m still trying to figure all of this out. It’s really a matter of getting to know my body, and knowing my body’s warning signs and what it feels like. I’m with you in that the treadmill is annoying and boring and just plain, not. for. me. I recently read an article that outlined training in the heat, which is what I’m going to try. I don’t remember the particulars, but it discussed start training in the hot part of the day for 10 minutes, then 15, then 20 and slowly work your way up, hydrating all the way so that you can get used to running in the heat… We’ll see how this goes… I’m very proud of you and your sticktuitiveness. 🙂
I’m still trying to figure all of this out. It’s really a matter of getting to know my body, and knowing my body’s warning signs and what it feels like. I’m with you in that the treadmill is annoying and boring and just plain, not. for. me. I recently read an article that outlined training in the heat, which is what I’m going to try. I don’t remember the particulars, but it discussed start training in the hot part of the day for 10 minutes, then 15, then 20 and slowly work your way up, hydrating all the way so that you can get used to running in the heat… We’ll see how this goes… I’m very proud of you and your sticktuitiveness. 🙂
I’m still trying to figure all of this out. It’s really a matter of getting to know my body, and knowing my body’s warning signs and what it feels like. I’m with you in that the treadmill is annoying and boring and just plain, not. for. me. I recently read an article that outlined training in the heat, which is what I’m going to try. I don’t remember the particulars, but it discussed start training in the hot part of the day for 10 minutes, then 15, then 20 and slowly work your way up, hydrating all the way so that you can get used to running in the heat… We’ll see how this goes… I’m very proud of you and your sticktuitiveness. 🙂
When I lived in Phoenix I would wake up in the 6 am range and run. It was hot as heck, but felt great. Of course, we didn’t have to deal with the humidity. I also used to run in Ohio where humidity was an issue, but not like Texas. I think hydration is key and yes, you’ll have to wake up super early or run late if the humidity gets to you. You’ve made it this far, don’t let the humidity be the thing that stops you from achieving your goals! I used to use a Camelbak to stay hydrated and loved it!
When I lived in Phoenix I would wake up in the 6 am range and run. It was hot as heck, but felt great. Of course, we didn’t have to deal with the humidity. I also used to run in Ohio where humidity was an issue, but not like Texas. I think hydration is key and yes, you’ll have to wake up super early or run late if the humidity gets to you. You’ve made it this far, don’t let the humidity be the thing that stops you from achieving your goals! I used to use a Camelbak to stay hydrated and loved it!
When I lived in Phoenix I would wake up in the 6 am range and run. It was hot as heck, but felt great. Of course, we didn’t have to deal with the humidity. I also used to run in Ohio where humidity was an issue, but not like Texas. I think hydration is key and yes, you’ll have to wake up super early or run late if the humidity gets to you. You’ve made it this far, don’t let the humidity be the thing that stops you from achieving your goals! I used to use a Camelbak to stay hydrated and loved it!
Oh, I feel your pain. I truly do.
I’ve been trying to leave the house by 6:00 am, so that I can get my run in before my kids get up and the day gets hot. I’m running a much slower pace than I do in the winter (I can typically run a 9:00 to 9:30 mile when it’s below 50 degrees, but when it’s over 60, I shoot for a 10:30 overall). I’m also pacing the first half of my run very slowly — so I’ll run an 11:30+ mile for the first three miles and then pick up the my speed in the last three miles. Jeff Galloway talks about how to adjust pacing based on the heat — his rundown is really helpful: http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/tips_archives/seasonal.html. I’m also extra conscientious about staying hydrated; I drink ice water all day long, and have laid off caffeine entirely.
The most interesting thing you said here, though, is about goals — I’m also super goal-motivated, but there’s no way I can train for anything big in this weather. I’m planning to run a half marathon in November, but I don’t need to start training until August, and I’m pretty sure the long training runs would kill me. Truly. In the meantime, I’m challenging myself to run a certain number of miles each week (my goal is 30 miles per week all summer). That way, instead of having to run X number of miles on a specific day, I can do whatever works through the week to get to my goal. So last week we had a couple of days of super high humidity — I only ran 4 miles. And then we had a couple dryer days, so I ran 6. When I hit my goal, I felt inspired to start over and do it again this week.
Oh, I feel your pain. I truly do.
I’ve been trying to leave the house by 6:00 am, so that I can get my run in before my kids get up and the day gets hot. I’m running a much slower pace than I do in the winter (I can typically run a 9:00 to 9:30 mile when it’s below 50 degrees, but when it’s over 60, I shoot for a 10:30 overall). I’m also pacing the first half of my run very slowly — so I’ll run an 11:30+ mile for the first three miles and then pick up the my speed in the last three miles. Jeff Galloway talks about how to adjust pacing based on the heat — his rundown is really helpful: http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/tips_archives/seasonal.html. I’m also extra conscientious about staying hydrated; I drink ice water all day long, and have laid off caffeine entirely.
The most interesting thing you said here, though, is about goals — I’m also super goal-motivated, but there’s no way I can train for anything big in this weather. I’m planning to run a half marathon in November, but I don’t need to start training until August, and I’m pretty sure the long training runs would kill me. Truly. In the meantime, I’m challenging myself to run a certain number of miles each week (my goal is 30 miles per week all summer). That way, instead of having to run X number of miles on a specific day, I can do whatever works through the week to get to my goal. So last week we had a couple of days of super high humidity — I only ran 4 miles. And then we had a couple dryer days, so I ran 6. When I hit my goal, I felt inspired to start over and do it again this week.
Oh, I feel your pain. I truly do.
I’ve been trying to leave the house by 6:00 am, so that I can get my run in before my kids get up and the day gets hot. I’m running a much slower pace than I do in the winter (I can typically run a 9:00 to 9:30 mile when it’s below 50 degrees, but when it’s over 60, I shoot for a 10:30 overall). I’m also pacing the first half of my run very slowly — so I’ll run an 11:30+ mile for the first three miles and then pick up the my speed in the last three miles. Jeff Galloway talks about how to adjust pacing based on the heat — his rundown is really helpful: http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/tips_archives/seasonal.html. I’m also extra conscientious about staying hydrated; I drink ice water all day long, and have laid off caffeine entirely.
The most interesting thing you said here, though, is about goals — I’m also super goal-motivated, but there’s no way I can train for anything big in this weather. I’m planning to run a half marathon in November, but I don’t need to start training until August, and I’m pretty sure the long training runs would kill me. Truly. In the meantime, I’m challenging myself to run a certain number of miles each week (my goal is 30 miles per week all summer). That way, instead of having to run X number of miles on a specific day, I can do whatever works through the week to get to my goal. So last week we had a couple of days of super high humidity — I only ran 4 miles. And then we had a couple dryer days, so I ran 6. When I hit my goal, I felt inspired to start over and do it again this week.
Your body should start to acclimate to the heat and humidity. Make sure you stay hydrated, not just water either start drinking something with electrolytes (Gatorade, etc). Running early in the AM or later in the evenings is also good. You will sweat, this is not a bad thing, invest in some really good moisture wicking tops and shorts and you will not be as bothered by this as you would be wearing cotton or polyester. Keep it up Sarah! You are awesome!
Your body should start to acclimate to the heat and humidity. Make sure you stay hydrated, not just water either start drinking something with electrolytes (Gatorade, etc). Running early in the AM or later in the evenings is also good. You will sweat, this is not a bad thing, invest in some really good moisture wicking tops and shorts and you will not be as bothered by this as you would be wearing cotton or polyester. Keep it up Sarah! You are awesome!
Thanks for the encouragement! I don’t know what a Camelbak is but I can guess it’s something I’ve seen a few people in my neighborhood use. Running late in the evening in Houston is really not much better, humidity-wise.
Hey thanks SO much for stopping by with your advice. Good idea about the bottle of ice, I already carry a bottle of water but maybe I’ll add the ice now. It really DOES feel like I’m out of shape! Late in the evening is still really hot and humid around here, early in the morning seems to be the only time it is even moderately cool.
Thanks for popping in Penelope!
Thanks for your email with the VERY useful links.
I hadn’t thought about laying off the caffeine to help the hydration. Coffee before my runs sometimes helps a bit but in this heat it probably would be a good idea to cut way back. As for goals, people keep telling me to sign up for another race, but unless I have the peer pressure of someone else signing up to run WITH me I can’t really get into that. I’m not at the stage yet where I just pick random races LOL. I like your idea of a goal of a set number of miles a week. I was thinking that I couldn’t run on back to back days but I guess if I’m not really training…not increasing distances…I can run two days in a row? My schedule is not as flexible now since I don’t want to go out and run on my lunchbreak when it’s 105 degrees 🙂
OH I always sweat like crazy, even when it’s cold. I have some great loose tech tops (like the one in the photo) that I love. My concern is more about when I start to feel light headed and dizzy like I’m overheating. I just want to make sure I’m not really far from home and pushing so hard I collapse with no one around. Thanks for the encouragement!
I run here in Houston and I hear you on the heat! You might try taking walk breaks, freezing your water bottle and running on a busy path so you don’t feel like you’re alone out there braving the heat.
Hey Tina thanks for your comment. I like the idea of freezing my water bottle! I guess finding a busy path might help, but I usually just leave from my house and there aren’t many people out at 6am! Perhaps I should vary my routes though, maybe I would find more people to commiserate with 🙂
When it’s really hot, I will run loops that go by a water fountain and by my home. I keep a cooler with cold Gatorade at the house so I can just grab one and drink it. That way, too, I’m never far from home so if something happens, I can walk home (or get help along the way).
As for motivation, I joined dailymile.com and get a lot of great advice and motivation there.
Wow, I LOVE this idea, very creative! I will have to check out that dailymile site…because right now I am definitely needing some motivation 🙂