So as I move into summer and humidity, my mortal enemy (humidity and heat, not necessarily summer!), I’m dreading the potential issues that come with hot weather running.
Last September we house hunted here. It was hot, yes, but not brutally so – but the humidity was out of control!
I’m not sure what happened – I was drinking before, during, and after my six miler. I felt something was wrong before I finished up the run, and though I was running with someone and could have continued on a few more miles (I was supposed to do ten), I knew when I got to six I was spent.
I went back to the condo and all of a sudden felt incredibly sick. I had to use the bathroom, but could barely remain upright. I ended up on my back on the sofa, chugging gatorade but still feeling sick and weak. We had houses to look at but my husband said maybe I should stay back. I was afraid, too, though; I felt so sick I wondered for a bit if I should go to the hospital.
During my run, I drank two bottles of water, one mixed with gatorade, and I continued to drink after. I ran 6 miles.
So, to say I’m scared of summertime running in south Georgia is not a lie! Though I was not used to the heat and humidity that day, it wasn’t as hot as it will get.
I’ve been training here now for about four months, so I’m slowly becoming acclimated to the difference in temperature from California. Still, the summer months scare me. I’m not sure if I should drink gatorade on lower runs – 4 milers – or stick with water. And should I go for all out gatorade on runs over 6, rather than mixing in water as I normally do?
What about you? What are your eating and drinking habits like when you run in the summer? Are you in a highly humid or very dry climate?
In other news . . . I changed my running schedule as promised. I ran a short 4 on Saturday, and on Easter morning I skipped my run and enjoyed the festivities with the family. This morning I did 9 miles. It was a good, strong 9 miler, too.
Hope you all had a nice Easter; I’ll be posting some photos of ours as soon as I get them uploaded on the computer.
Now, off to shower and get the oldest to school!
Happy Monday running, runners :0)
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great thank you!
I’m in India so I can quite understand what you mean by summertime heat! I go for my runs early in the morning – about 5 am – and I’m usually done by about 7.30 or so. So, most days I manage to escape the high temps. I carry Gatorade, just like you, but haven’t discovered anything else that might be better.
Eating through the day is a bigger problem for me during summer. Where I live, it gets extremely dry and dusty on some days, and then, all of a sudden, you find yourself drenched in humidity. I’m finding myself drinking more water (which is good) but less food (which is not). Also having trouble choosing foods other than fruits and salads – meat’s making me feel the heat even more. It’s frustrating!
That is really interesting. I, too, tend to eat more fruits and veggies than stronger stuff (for lack of better word) in summer, due to heat – think it is for the water content – but never thought about that! Do you drink straight gatorade or do you mix? I would love to see photos of where you run!! Do you have a blog?
I don’t have a blog yet, but I will soon. I’m training for my first half marathon and it’d be pretty interesting to chronicle my journey. Will drop you line when it’s up.
Gatorade 50/50…too sweet and ‘heavy’ otherwise. Right now, I’m having trouble with sugars and ‘strong’ foods. I have IBS and lately, it’s been really hard for me to run through it. I’m a bit frustrated, but I’m going to find a way around it.
Yes I agree with diluting it, it’s too sweet for me too.
Definitely send me your link when your blog is up and running! Where is your half going to be?