Happy Tuesday and welcome to Tuesday Topics!
This week’s Tuesday Topic: Summer Running Tips? Today I’m re-sharing a previous blog that I wrote about summer running tips since I still do all of these things to beat the heat! You can write about this topic, or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida and the bottom of this post!
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(Previous post from 2017)
Let’s face it – there’s nothing sexy about summer running. No one wakes up and says “I’d love to drown in my own sweat during today’s long run in 95 degree weather.” It’s hot, sweaty, hard to breathe and uncomfortable, but we suffer through summer running because it makes us stronger runners. Earlier this month I wrote about ways to modify your summer running. Today I’ll discuss a few tips to make summer running a little more enjoyable.
Body Glide is Your Best Friend
Trust me, you want to invest in Body Glide and you want to do it now. Let me tell you a little story. The date was July 19, 2015. I just finished the ridiculously hot and humid RnR Chicago Half Marathon and I just wanted to take a shower. I didn’t know that I had experienced chafing during the run, but as soon as the water hit me, I panicked. I had NO clue why areas of my body were stinging so much. After a quick Google search, I learned what had happened. After that day, you will NEVER catch me without Body Glide, especially for summer runs.
Chew Gum
This might just be a weird thing that works for me, but I find that chewing gum (peppermint, spearmint) makes me feel just a little bit cooler on my runs. I also like the mint flavored RunGum because it tastes good and gives you a little kick of caffeine.
Cooling Towel
A cooling towel is a great way to get instant relief from the heat. To activate the cooling quality in the towel, you wet the towel, ring out the water and then snap it. I’ve used it two different ways. You can run with the towel around your neck for a mile or two OR you can cool down with the towel after your run. I prefer the later option because I’m always a hot mess after a run so the cooling towel allows me to clean off my face and get some coldness all at the same time. I own two cooling towels from Coolcore and I love them.
Freeze Your Handheld
I started doing this during marathon training last year and it makes a huge difference! Do you run with a handheld? Do you ever get annoyed that it doesn’t keep your water cold? Here’s a nice trick. The night before your run fill your handheld halfway with water and whatever electrolyte replacement you use (Vega, Tailwind, Nuun, etc). Throw in 2-3 ice cubes and place the handheld in the freezer. Then the next day, right before your run, fill the rest of your handheld with cold water. As you run, the ice will thaw and keep your liquid cool for at least an hour. Having ice cold liquid helps to cool you down on the run.
Rock Your Hats
You’ll never catch me running outside in the summer without a hat or a visor (usually a visor). Having a cool head can you make you feel more comfortable during a run. Not only does a hat or visor help block the sun from your eyes, but it cam stop sweat from dripping into your eyes as well. One more reason I love hats and visors is that they come in tons of colors and designs! I only wear Headsweats visors and I purchased a few in different colors earlier this year.
To help ensure my #runmatchy game is on point 🙂
Join the Link-Up!
Topic for next week – What are your Summer running plans and/or race schedule? We hope you’ll link up with us!
I’m also linking up with Marc from Train With Marc and Debbie from Coach Debbie Runs for Coaches’ Corner!
Those towels are such a great idea! I got my mom one for Mothers day because she likes to use a cold towel when she works out at the gym. I love freezing my handheld before a hot run – thats the only way the water will stay really cold!
Exactly! It’s the only way to keep the water somewhat cold for most of the run. I hate drinking warm water – yuck!
At my recent half marathon (two weeks ago), it got really hot really fast. There were people on the side of the route with ice cubes. I’ve never stuck ice in my bra (though I know lots of gals who do), but just holding the ice in my hands for a short while was refreshing! Of course, most of us will not find ice stands along our running route…but it felt great at the time 😉
I definitely know what you mean! I did that during RnR Chicago both years that I ran it. One year I did throw the ice cubes down my bra, lol
I have not seen that chewing gum look like a great option to check out. Have a nice weekend
I was introduced to it last year. I don’t use it for every run but it does give me a little boost of coolness and energy when I use it.
I don’t use a hand held but I do freeze the bladder of my Nathan hydration pack. The coolness feels nice on my back.
Oh that’s a great idea too!
I am all about frozen drinks when I run in summer. They make a big difference. I’ll bring a cooler to the trails and refresh as I loop around. I need to check out that towel. I won some of that gum but have yet to try it.
I did something similar – I also kept a cooler with cold water in the trunk of my car last year. I would either hit it up mid-way through a run or towards the end!
BodyGlide IS my best friend. How did you know?!
I left my cooling towel at home in CLE. Whomp whomp…
I would love to hug the creator of BodyGlide, lol. Hopefully it wont be too warm in Duluth this weekend!
I don’t mind if my water gets down to about room temperature, but when it starts getting warmer than that, I feel like gagging when I drink it. I go through it pretty fast, so usually it’s not a problem. Love the gum idea!
Definitely! Nothing worse than warm water, especially warm water with electrolytes!
I never ran with a hat until I got my headsweats visor and LOVE it! I too learned one year that you can chaff in places you didn’t know could chaff. The cooling towel is a neat idea!
Headsweats is the best! I love the sweat wicking property to keep all the sweat from falling into my eyes, lol
My hydration vest actually keeps the water cold a long time! Some people freeze that, too.
Gum, huh? That’s a new one on me!
Yeah I think the gum one might just work for me because I’m weird lol
Sun block! And cooling towels are the best.
Oh yeah, definitely sunscreen too!
Oh, that cooling towel sounds awesome. I need one of those.
Also, I am going to give chewing gum a try! 🙂 Thanks for the recommendation.
No problem – hope my recommendations work for you!
I hydrate extra after a hot, sweaty run. I normally use one Nuun tablet, but during the summer, I use 2 to get more electrolytes that I’ve sweated out.
Definitely! When I was using Nuun I would often use two tablets in the summer!
I love the Nathan insulated handheld. It really does keep my drink cold longer.
Definitely! That’s the one I have and I can totally see the difference.
I’ve frozen my handheld a few times and I’m always amazed how fast it thaws in the summer! LOL!
Ugh I know 🙁 During my last run it was cold for about 90 minutes, which was rare, but I was so happy!
I love the visors too! Those towels look interesting. Should definitely come in handy during the hot summer weather.
The towels are great, especially when it’s really humid!
I love my cooling towel! Sometimes I will roll up a few ice cubes inside it before wrapping it around my neck…feels great!
I’ve been curious about that run gum. I’ve always been a gum chewer while running because it helps keep my mouth from drying out. But I’ve never tried this stuff…does it have electrolytes in it?
Oh that’s a great idea to put ice cubes in the cooling towel – I’ll be sure to try that this summer!
I don’t think that RunGum has electrolytes in it, but it does have caffeine.
I used to always wear hats until I was given an MRTT visor. Now I’m totally a visor girl. I have both headsweats and the Boco ones that Skirt Sports sells and I love both brands.
I think my head breathes more with a visor!
I need to try the chewing gum idea- sounds brilliant! A hat and sunscreen are a must!
The chewing gum really does work for me!
Body glide…I never leave home without it (when I’m heading out for a run)!
Body Glide is amazing and I wish I could hug the inventor lol
These are all great for summer running! I love the cooling towels, they are awesome!!!
Agreed! Nothing better than a wet cooling towel after a hot run!
Those cooling towels are so … cool! I run early and try to pick a shady route. I also make sure to drink my Nuun at least every mile. Having an icy washcloth in the freezer to cool down with also feels great if I can remember.
Running early is definitely something I also do in the summer! Anything to beat the heat.
Such a funny story about chafing and the surprise you got when you stepped into the shower! I am a fan of summer running (weird, I know), but absolutely “yes” to Body Glide!
That memory is something I will never forget, LOL
I love summer running. Luckily I don’t chafe. I guess I don’t sweat as much as others.
Always wear a cap and sunglasses. Skirts and tanks are the most comfortable.
I love races because of the water stops. Otherwise I loop my runs to stop back at my car for water.
I also have been known to run loops to my car for water, lol
We received cooling towels in our swag bags a week ago. I haven’t had a chance to try them yet, though. But it’s summer!!!! 🙂
That’s an awesome gift for a swag bag!
So it is always summer running here, pretty much. I am totally unable to chew gum because of my TMJ, but I think it’s probably too hot to chew sometimes LOL!
I agree with hats. With sunglasses. We have to run in the early morning before the sun and the heat of the day really kick up, or else wait until after the sun goes down. Otherwise, it’s just extra awful.
i give so much credit to runners down south – I don’t know how you deal with heat for a majority of the year!
Add me to the pile of people marrying Body Glide
I’m a huge gum chewer, but can’t quite chew on the run
What would we do without body glide?
Ugh to summer running! This year, I am embracing the hats more and when things heat up I am a huge fan of cold towels. Heat and humidity are not my friends at all. We will make it through though!
Same – heat and humidity are definitely my enemies but I’m going to try to suck it up as much as possible this year.
That’s interesting about the chewing gum trick – I admit I’m not coordinated enough to run and chew LOL!
And oh my gosh yes Body Glide is an absolute must!
LOL, it’s something about the minty flavor of the gum that seems to cool me down a bit. It doesn’t last long but it’s a nice little break sometimes.
Chafing is the WORST! Even worse when you have no idea you chafed and then the water hits your body. Yikes!!
It’s such a horrible feeling!
YAS! I could not survive summer without Glide! I also need to invest in some visors because they fit my head better than hats and also don’t trap the heat like hats do!
So true about the visors!
I haven’t started going into summer running mode but it’s coming very soon! I’ve realized the benefits of running with a hat or visor in the summer, though I don’t have as large of a collection as you do! Great tips!
I’m not looking forward to it but I am glad it only last a few months!
I love the little caffeine boost from run gum! Also, for hats I am a Headsweats wearer!
I love Headsweats!
I have one of those cooling towels and I’ve never used it! Now that it’s 90 even at 5:30 in the morning that towel will come in handy. Freezing the handheld is a brilliant idea! Mine is insulated but that still doesn’t keep it cool through a whole run.
The cooling towel is amazing – definitely try it out!
My handheld is also insulated but I find that it doesn’t keep the liquid cold for long enough, that’s why i started to freeze it!
The gum is really cool! I love to chew gum while I run or work out anyway because it keeps my mouth from getting dry. Thanks for sharing!
Same for me, and the mint flavor helps me cool off for a little while too.
A cooling towel is such a great idea!
It really does come in handy!
I need to get a visor. I don’t run with sunglasses and hats, but I think a visor would be just right for me.
The visor would definitely help you out!