Training
run
Who better to get advice from than runners who are training and racing all around the country? We asked Oiselle Team runners for their best advice to maintain training in the dog days of summer, from nutrition tips to staying cool on a midsummer tempo run. These tidbits are great for new runners and seasoned veterans alike. Read on before you head out the door!
My #1 solution has been salt pills...they have brought me back from the brink of death on long runs in hot weather.
Tracy Sciacca
Start early! Beat the heat by getting going before the sun comes up. Don't be afraid to slow down and adjust your pace for the conditions.
Leana Keto
Wet your hair before you walk out the door. Run where there are water fountains or where you can refill your water bottle.
Abby Fennessy
Keep a water bottle in the freezer, use it to roll out feet after a run.
Karla Walsh
Wear a light fabric top like the Hail Mary Mesh tank or Cross Top Mesh. The extra air flow will save you!
Lynda Trujillo
If I'm running with a group, we will strategically place a cooler with water/gatorade on our routes that have no water fountains. Hydration is key!
Mary Margaret Malone
I put ice in my sports bra and in the liner of my shorts or in the pockets (Hello distance shorts! They can pack a lot of cubes.) They will keep you cool as they melt.
Jen Bigham
Freeze your 1/2 full Camelbak the night before.
Lisa Booher
You need to fuel immediately after even if you don't feel hungry. At least get in some hydration and calories or your body will not recover well.
Betsy Flood
Baby powder in your shoes and socks helps keep your feet drier and prevent blisters.
Allison Krausen
A light colored hat can help shade you from the sun, and keep the sweat out of your eyes.
Danielle Heffernan
Focus on getting your core temp down quickly after a run. Ice bath not always necessary - just cool shower, or even damp towel on main pulse points (around the neck, wrists, elbows, back of the knees, ankles). Returning to normal body temp after a run or workout is a factor in speeding recovery.
Kate Grace
Hydrate the day before a run on a hot day; nice cold fruits and veggies in your meals.
Jo-Ana Chase
If you are running your workout with a group keep a cooler with ice and water & electrolyte drinks at a specified location on the workout route so you can stop for drinks!
Kristine Burgess
Fill a small cooler with ice water and washclothes for track workouts- on your rest interval, put towels on your neck, put your hands in the ice water. Keep your water in the cooler too!
Lisa McClellan
Sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, and poor cool water on the back/nape of neck or soak your hat mid-run; wear white...the Lesko Shimmel is perfect.
Shaluinn Fullove
Plan early morning workouts with a friend. Knowing someone is waiting for you will get you out the door!
Atha Vermillion
Focus more on effort instead of always worrying about pace. Summer heat is another animal.
Lisa Holt
Pull out those mantras. My favorite is "Head up, wings out!" because it also reminds me to keep good posture. "If you're running, no matter how fast or slow, you're lapping everybody on the couch." That keeps me motivated to run no matter what.
Karissa Kilgore
Trails with shade. Run EARLY in the morning to watch the sunrise. Enjoy the peacefulness of your city. Everyone sleeps while you take on the day.
Kelli Calderwood
If you must, break up your mileage into two a days. Motivate yourself with Charity Miles, it's harder to cave when you know you are going to donate to a great cause.
Lorraine Deichert
Reward yourself with something after finishing your workout or run, such as jumping in a pool, eating a popsicle, or drinking a cold refreshing drink.
Christine Babcock
Swimming becomes a fun form of cross training (vs torture in the winter). Hiking is usually cooler (tree covered and altitude) and gives great cardio and muscular benefits.
Kate Grace
Run fartleks instead of distance-based intervals in order to focus on effort rather than pace. Then reward yourself with a cold beer!
Emily Brain
Sign up for a fall race and focus on it when the miles get sweltering. Also, running in the pool is a great alternative.
Michelle Witten
On days I don't want to get out the door, I remind myself of how almost anything is better than a cold, dark winter run. In the winter, the days are so short and cold. Long, hot summer days are glorious.
Mary Johnson
Plan the workout on your favorite trail, pack a super yummy post-workout treat, and grab the best flavor of recovery drink.
Asher Henry
Shady trail loops are great for hot weather quality workouts.
Andi Camp
Join a group. Training together makes hot summer workouts more bearable. Also adjust you expectations. Don't live and die by the clock but focus on your effort. Your body is still making the training adaptations.
Robyn Hefner
Hard work pays off. Start logging runs and get motivation from #runpals! Sign up for races to stay motivated and track your progress.
Jayci Zakaras
Protein smoothies with fresh summer fruit and ice are a great recovery treat. Try tart cherry juice and mint, or watermelon and mint in a blender with ice. Add Greek yogurt or protein powder for an extra oompf.
Alicia Curley
Electrolytes have made a huge difference for me. Nuun tablets are my go-to.
Marti Riemer
Coconut water is great to hydrate post-run, but it lacks sodium and carbohydrates. Be sure to mix in a sports drink every now and then to fully replenish nutrients. Runner's World article explains this fully.
Jacquelyn Komen
I have frozen grapes, watermelon, or popsicles in my freezer all summer. It's nice to be able to look forward to something cold when you feel like your brain is going to melt.
Collier Lawrence
Lots of fluids. Mix it up so that you don't get bored with plain water. Add Nuun to an ice cold bottle of water.
Michelle Chang
I’m using Osmo Nutrition drink mixes for hydration and recovery. They have preload hydration, active hydration, and acute recovery mixes for women.
Kate Grace
Keep a water bottle at your desk and set a goal of drinking it x number of times per day.
Danielle Murtha
Freeze bananas w/ peanut butter for a post-run treat or make Nuun popsicles.
Rebecca Trachsel
Be careful about your caffeine intake (ie: iced coffee) post-run, because you will likely be dehydrated and caffeine will only make it worse!
Gabrielle Kotkov
Otter pops and pool time!
Joce Buras
Load up on greens during meals throughout the day. They are a great source of hydration.
Lauren Giannullo
Post run, I make banana "ice cream" for my recovery. Freeze bananas in chunks, add them to a food processor (or blender) and blend them for a few minutes.
Julie Cousins
