Summer Running Tips -- How to Beat the Heat?!

As some of you may know, I do not do well when I try to run in the heat. I've learned this the hard way while training for a goal race in July (kind of a duh moment, after the fact). Oiselle recently put together a blog post on some tips from their readers and ambassadors. As I've trained through the last few summers, I thought I would offer up some of my own tips on how to beat the heat and what worked for me.

1) HYDRATION is key. Even if you're going out for a 3 mile run, bring water!!! Since I'm still breastfeeding, I feel like I need more water than the average human. I'm already thirsty by mile 1 on any sort of run, and that was never the case before. If you're feeling thirsty, you are already on the road to dehydration. If you're getting up early in the morning to run, make sure you drink plenty of water the night before. If you're running at night, make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Also, it doesn't hurt to use some of those fun hydration tablets as an at-work beverage as opposed to having a pop. (Although, I find very few brands and flavors that I would like to have in a non-workout setting.)

Whether you're an infant, enjoying the fine wine of Mommy's Milk while she's at work

Or drinking some Zipfizz after a rough summer workout... Hydration is important

2) Sunrise Running - If you're a morning person, you probably feel most comfortable waking up at the buttcrack of dawn to get your workout in before the temps heat up too much. Although sometimes even at the earliest morning times, that sun can be a beast! I used to do this a lot before I had Patsy--so I may start doing this again once she starts sleeping a little better. That weekend alarm can be rough when it is earlier than your weekday alarm!

3) Nighttime Running - As I work downtown, far from my home, 4 days a week, I prefer not to get up early during the week. When I was marathon and half marathon training before I was pregnant, I got in many quality workouts after the sun had gone down with my headlight. Summer nights can really be magical in more ways than one! And feel free to sing "Summer Nights" from Grease as you think about running tonight.

I'm glad I've gotten some use out of this fantastic photo!

4) Get one of those nifty cooling towels. I have one but I haven't used it yet. I don't know why, I'm sure it will be amazing! I got mine from Brookstone but my husband (who works in construction) says you can find them at Menards or any local hardware store.


5) Hop on the treadmill. Or, also known as, the DREADMILL. I find the treadmill to be incredibly boring, but sometimes necessary when the heat index is incredibly high. Sometimes it is medically necessary to escape the summer heat. And you can get in your miles while getting caught up on Netflix or HBO. However, I do not recommend reading a paperback novel on the treadmill. It leads to headaches and risk of injury. Not like I'm speaking from experience or anything...

6) Have a cold beer waiting in the fridge. Let's be honest, even with all the best prep and precautions, you may bonk a workout or shorten the distance when it is a hot summer day or night. After you've properly hydrated, give yourself a reward for going out there and GETTING IT DONE anyways!

7) Take a cold shower when you get home. Sometimes I would get so warm that I felt like I would never be cold again. Taking off my sweaty running clothes and taking a shower can really help get your body temp back down. And you can enjoy your beer in the shower, especially if you have one of those shower beer koozies.

What do you do to beat the heat? Any tips you can share that aren't mentioned?