After months of Jersey winter and spring, Many of us have forgotten about the power of the heat. As that thin layer of ice is replaced with increasingly thicker layers of pollen and the thermometer is spending more and more time above 75 each week, it's time to talk about training in summer weather!
Don’t beat the heat AVOID it! Run when it's cool out. Mornings or evenings are best. Pick which one fits your day. I like to run in the morning so I don't have to worry about my eating schedule. BUT, if you are like CBA’s resident shredder, Tanner, early morning swells may force you to run when the sun goes down.
Always have WATER! Find a water bottle you like. Put some dope stickers on it, and bring it everywhere you go. It will allow you to stay hydrated all day without going through hundreds of plastic bottles. On top of that, have 5-gallon jugs of ice and water at practice ready to go with cool towels. Don’t be afraid to stop midway and put an icy towel on your neck. A one minute break for water and ice can save an entire days run!
Block out those Rays!!! This one is huge. I’m a fair skinned guy and get burnt easily. Apply sunscreen every time you run. Hats and sunglasses also go a long way in preventing the sun from harming your eyes and face. Plus they have the added bonus of making you look cool or like a dork, but who cares!
Don’t be a fool! Mother Nature makes the rules and we just play by them. If it's hot adjust your run. 60 at 7min pace might turn into 50 at 7:30 pace. No matter how fit you are or how prepared you might be, 95 and humid is going to make any run hurt more than it should. Talk to your coach and make sure you are progressing in the smartest way possible!
Good luck to everyone and enjoy the summer miles!
Don't forget to sign up for camp August 18-24th!!
Registration: https://radixrunning.com