9 Tips For Running Safely In The Heat And Humidity

Looking for 9  tips for running safely in the heat and humidity?

It was mid-February in Florida. The next week our temperatures were expected to soar into the 90s.

Yes, Florida skipped spring and rushed headlong from winter into the heat and humidity of summer.

Air conditioners were running full blast and full time once again. Recently during one of my training runs, I was exerting myself a lot more than usual, my heart rate was elevated.

My breathing became labored while doing a run that previously was very easy for me.

I was running at my usual time, mid-morning, however, it was a hot, sunny, and humid day.

If you have had a similar experience outdoors as mine in the heat, here’s some great information for you.

REMEMBER: When starting or altering any sport or exercise, it is always wise to consult with your doctor first.

9 Tips for Running Safely In The Heat And Humidity

Heat-Related Emergencies Are Possible When Running In The Heat And Humidity

Exactly how dangerous is it really to run unprepared (unacclimated) in the heat and humidity?

First off, you may experience heat cramps, muscle spasms caused by fluid and electrolyte losses.

Thankfully, this condition is readily corrected by proper hydration (think water, sports drinks, salt) and decreasing your running effort level.

Or, dehydration, depletion of your bodily fluids. It is always best to start your run hydrated, and rehydrate frequently during your run. Plan your run around water sources if you don’t carry your own.

Heat exhaustion, caused by dehydration appears with the symptoms of nausea, headache, and chills. Your body temp can rise up to 102*F. You may experience profuse sweating.

If this is happening, STOP your run immediately, and find shade, go to where the temp is cooler.

Start drinking fluids to replenish those you lost during your run by sweat and evaporation.

Contact medical help if necessary.

Heatstroke can be a serious life-threatening emergency.

It manifests similarly to heat exhaustion, and quickly progresses to disorientation, possible loss of consciousness, seizures, and hyperthermia, with a body temp upwards of 105*F.

You probably won’t be sweating. Your core body temperature needs to immediately be lowered. First responders should be called at once and while waiting for them, remove constrictive clothing.

To aid in bringing down the body’s temp, place ice bags in armpits, at the groin, and around the neck.

To sum it up, when running in the heat and humidity, if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, confused, or disoriented, you have stopped sweating (when you know you should be), stop running!

If you have goosebumps in that hot weather or feel clammy, STOP, get out of the sun, find liquids to drink, and seek medical attention!

Acclimate to the heat and humidity.

It takes your body two weeks to acclimate to the heat and adjust to cooling itself efficiently.

Your heart beats faster in the heat as it is pumping extra blood out to your skin as part of the body’s evaporation/cooling mechanism.

The blood flowing near the surface results in cooling by both conduction and convection.

The heat makes your body temp rise and your body reacts with increased sweat production as your blood vessels dilate.

Perspiration and evaporation of perspiration are the primary means for your body to cool itself during running.

Your sweat glands become more active as your body’s core temperature rises.  You won’t run as fast, don’t try to. Run by effort level rather than your typical pace until you acclimate.

If you are new to running, add some power walk breaks every few minutes to help your body cool itself.

This is one of the best tips for running safely in the heat and humidity.

 Change When You Run

The warmer the weather, the more challenging it becomes to sufficiently cool your body.

Your heart rate will increase and your breathing will become more rapid and labored.

In other words, your body is working overtime to regulate your temperature.

Run in the morning before sunrise which offers the coolest temperatures of the day, and the best air quality.

Another option is running at the end of the day when the sun is setting.

Avoid running during the hottest part of the day, between the hours of noon – 3 PM when the sun is highest in the sky.

These tips for running safely in the heat and humidity will improve your running experience greatly!

Change Where You Run

Asphalt and concrete retain and generate a lot of heat, so minimize exposure to them.

Plan your runs off roads and on local trails and seek out shady routes for sun relief.

If you can, run next to streams and lakes or even at the beach because these locations provide a cooler running environment.

Plus, jumping into the water after your hot run will feel awesomely refreshing!

And if you are on vacation, here are 10 tips for exercising when traveling to help you stay in running shape!

 Hydrate. Then stay hydrated.

The best defense against most heat injuries while running is a good offense, and that means hydration.

Your body works best when your temperature is 98.6*F.

So to help your body keep cool while you are exercising in the heat, it starts to sweat allowing the heat to evaporate. Sweat causes water loss from your blood that can lead to dehydration.

Normally you should aim for 6 to 8 glasses of water every day. Drink before you run, and every 20 minutes during your run.

Also, my running has improved greatly since I gave up sugar.

Have a hydration plan before you start your run. Know where the water stops will be. Plot your running route to areas that have water fountains.

This can include schools, health clubs, convenience stores, and city parks.

Alternatively, prerun you can stash bottles of water at specific points along your route.

And finally, you can wear a fuel belt to carry your nutrition, or simply carry a bottle of water with you.

For runs up to one hour hydrating with only water is ok.

For runs lasting over an hour,  sports drinks will help your performance and recovery and maintain your electrolyte levels.

 Dress In synthetic, Light-Colored, Loosely Fitting Clothes

Synthetic fabrics will reflect the rays from the sun, and wick your sweat away, drying quickly.

Loosely fitting clothes will promote airflow. Moving air helps to evaporate sweat and maintain body temperature.

Your skin is your body’s largest organ. Keep it covered to prevent excessive absorption of the sun’s heat and prevent sunburn.

Sunburn is uncomfortable and inhibits your body’s ability to properly sweat and cool itself.

Apply sunscreen liberally to skin exposed to the sun.

Don’t forget the back of your neck and your ears. Wear a hat to protect your scalp and sunglasses with UVA/UVB protection.

 Run By Effort

Not pace. Run by “feel” when it is hot.

Concentrate on your breathing and how you feel.

In hot humid weather, easy runs should feel easy. Your pace will decrease substantially, and your body will acclimate to the weather.

A heart rate monitor is a useful tool to assist you in gauging easy efforts or strenuous workouts.

A multisport tracker can aid you in your fitness journey. This is the exact one I use.

If you are simply a running geek, then this affordable running tracker may suit your needs better.

Running, using effort as your guide is one of my 9 tips for running safely in the heat and humidity.

 Precooling Is Smart Idea

Eating a frozen popsicle or a slushy before a training run will help cool your internal body temperature and delay its rise for as long as possible.

Dumping cold water on your head is an effective cooling method since it increases evaporation from your skin.

Frozen wet towels would feel heavenly before and after a hot run.

 It Is Mind Over Matter

Running with heat and humidity demands the proper mental approach.

You must adjust your expectations right from the beginning.

You must come to terms with the realization that you will not run at the same pace or the same distance in the heat as you do in milder weather.

And your body takes longer to recover when it is hot.

Your positive mental outlook is one of the 9 tips for running safely in the heat and humidity.

Consider Cross-Training

If it’s simply too stinking hot to run outdoors, consider your training alternatives.

Biking, swimming, aqua jogging, or the treadmill (indoors, in the air conditioning, possibly in front of the tv, with a fan!) are all viable options.

On that fateful run a few days ago, I was experiencing “cardiac drift,” a phenomenon caused by dehydration.

As dehydration advances, your blood thickens and your heart has to work harder to maintain circulation.

My heart rate was elevated and my breathing became labored and it was difficult to maintain the same pace without a lot more effort.

To combat this now that the heat and humidity have returned to Florida, I will have to begin my runs a lot earlier.

This is difficult for a night owl like me. When running around my hometown, I plan my route through most of the city parks and drink generously from all the water fountains.

When away, I carry water with me.

I personally wear “arm sleeves” to protect my arms from the sun.

You wouldn’t think so, but they are remarkably light and their wicking helps keep me cooler.

After a run to prevent electrolyte imbalance I take an Emergen-C packet and often drink olive juice ( it has lots of sodium.)

REMEMBER: When starting or altering any sport or exercise, it is always best to consult with your doctor first.

If you run or exercise out in the heat, what do you do to combat overheating? Please share in the comments section below.

Linda On The Run is a participant in the Amazon Affiliate Program. This means a small fee is earned when you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.