Florida’s summer heat and humidity make training for the fall marathons and half-marathons a special challenge. Staying well hydrated and keeping your electrolytes in balance is essential to your training. To help keep you on the road throughout the summer, please take the time to read the following informative and timely “Hot Weather Running Tips” from the Road Runners Club of America.
See you on the road,
Susan S. Paul
TSF Training Program Director
HOT WEATHER RUNNING TIPS
FROM THE ROAD RUNNERS CLUB OF AMERICA
1. Avoid dehydration!!! You can lose between 6 and 12 oz. of fluid for every 20 minutes of running. Therefore, it is important to pre-hydrate (10-15 oz. of fluid 10 to 15 minutes prior to running) and drink fluids every 20-30 minutes along your running route. To determine if you are hydrating properly, weigh yourself before and after running. You should have drunk one pint of fluid for every pound you're missing. Indications that you are running while dehydrated are a persistent elevated pulse after finishing your run 
and dark yellow urine. Keep in mind that thirst is not an adequate indicator of dehydration.
>>Read Hydration Recommendations
2. Avoid running outside if the heat is above 98.6 degrees (body temperature) AND the humidity is above 70-80%. While running, the body temperature is regulated by the process of sweat evaporating off of the skin. If the humidity in the air is so high that it prevents the process of evaporation of sweat from the skin, you can quickly overheat and literally cook your insides from an elevated body temperature.
3. Dizziness when running, if you become dizzy, nauseated, have the chills, or cease to sweat…. STOP RUNNING, seek some shade, and drink water or a fluid replacement drink such as Gatorade. If you do not feel better, get help immediately. Heatstroke occurs when the body fails to regulate its own temperature, and the body temperature continues to rise. Symptoms of heatstroke include mental changes (such as confusion, delirium, or unconsciousness) and skin that is red, hot, and dry, even under the armpits. Heatstroke is a life-threatening medical emergency, requiring emergency medical treatment. For more information on the symptoms of heatstroke, visit http://www.webmd.com/content/article/87/99468.htm.
4. Run in the shade whenever possible, avoid direct sunlight and blacktop. When you are going to be exposed to the intense summer rays of the sun, apply at least SPF 15 sunscreen and wear protective eyewear that filters out UVA and UVB rays. Consider wearing a visor that will shade your eyes and skin but will allow heat to be transferred off the top of your head.
5. If you have heart or respiratory problems, or you are on any medications, consult your doctor about running in the heat. In some cases it may be in your best interests to run indoors. If you have a history of heatstroke/illness, run with extreme caution!
6. Children should run in the morning or late afternoon hours, but should avoid the peak heat of the day to prevent heat related illnesses. It is especially important to keep children hydrated while running and playing outdoors in the heat.
7. DO wear light colored breathable clothing. DO NOT wear long sleeves or long pants or sweat suits. Purposefully running in sweat suits on hot days to lose water weight is dangerous!
8. Plan your route so you can refill water bottles or find drinking fountains. City parks, local merchants, and restaurants are all good points to incorporate on your route during hot weather running. Be sure to tell someone where you are running, how long you think you will gone, and always carry identification.
Stay hydrated, cool, and safe this summer!
The Road Runners Club of America is a non-profit organization of over 700 running clubs and 175,000 members across the United States. The RRCA chapters organize races, have training runs, provide safety guidelines, promote children's and masters fitness running programs, and have social programs. http://www.RRCA.org
Posted: July 11, 2007
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