How do you keep running long distances in scorching heat?! Tips?

Question

I'm an XC runner who has been running 2 years year-round.

This summer, it's incredibly HOT (over 100 degrees).

Today I went running and I had to walk after 10 minutes.

I'm not out of shape, I can usually run for 1 hour.

But the heat made me stop.

I drank 8 glasses of water and ate well today.

How can I possibly keep running in XC in this type of heat?!

Answer 1

Don't - you can get hurt, or pass out. Try joining a gym and running on a treadmill in the air conditioning.

Answer 2

Morning runs (I find them better than evening runs because the sun hasn't been out long so it is not as hot, and if you go long, you don't accidently end up in the dark).

Keep hydrated (sounds like you are doing that).

Cross training (Swimming and biking).

Break your runs up (you can get nearly identical benefit from two half hour runs as you do from one 1 hour run).

Good luck.

Answer 3

As well with the other advice (which is really good advice) try finding roads with large amounts of shade, run into the line of sprinklers watering grass( seriously most people won't care) and this may sound strange but get your hair wet with cool water before you run (you are going to sweat anyways...).

Answer 4

run early in the morning or late at night

same delema here

just had to stop or i'd pass out

i'm going out late tonight

Answer 5

Me personally I jog around 7:30am I also wear and ice pack across my waist to keep cool

Answer 6

You need to run  in the coolest parts of the day. Early morning and late evening. If you can, have a bucket with cool water and towels in it. Put the towels on your head or around your neck to cool you down more quickly. If you are running on a track you can put the bucket near the start/finish line and grab a fresh towel as you go by. If running Xcountry, maybe you can strategically place it along the way. Wear cool clothing.

With hydration, you have to be diligent about it. Drinking too much water all at once will only make you pee it right back out. Sip water constantly through out the day and keep it up. By the time you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated.

Answer 7

Like other people said, gym, morning or night, for me, music usually helps me in runing longer distance, try music :)

Answer 8

run really early or really late. Find a shady trail. Keep drinking alot of waterr, try wetting your forehead / the top part of your hair. That will keep you a little cooler. Besides that, you just have to push yourself through it, unless you feel dizy.