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Beat the heat with these proven but rather unusual cooling tricks

With summer just around the corner and warmer temps now the norm, beating the heat while still logging miles will become a challenge. Fortunately there's no shortage of ways to succeed at doing both!

Whistler half-marathon
A runner competes in the 2016 edition of the Whistler Half-Marathon. Photo: Robert Shaer.

Why is running in the heat so hard? The reason you struggle during a hot, humid run is that once the body’s core temperature rises, it triggers physiological responses like an increased sweat and heart rate to bring it back down. Staying properly hydrated is the first and foremost important tip when it comes to running and training in the heat, but it’s far from being the only thing you should do. Here are some other suggestions:

Get up early or stay up late

We all know that the temperature is highest in the early to mid afternoon. On some days, running between noon and 3:00 p.m. is just plain dangerous and should be avoided if at all possible. Running early in the morning (before 9:00 a.m.) or later at night (after 7:00 p.m.) may be the simplest way to avoid the hottest parts of the day which will also be the least ideal for running.

RELATED: Morning, noon or evening running? The case for each

Double up

If you can’t find time to get all your miles in one go, consider running two shorter runs in a single day. Rather than running for an hour or more at once, break your usual run into two parts doing one 30-minute run in the early morning and a second 30-minute run later in the day.

Dress light

Running gear has come a long way and some are now designed specifically to keep you cool while out on the run. Moisture wicking fabrics, UVA resistant materials and brighter colours are all advances made by clothing manufacturers to help keep you cool. Investing in a few specific articles of high quality running clothing can make a big difference to how you feel while out on a run.

RELATED: Brighten up your summer with Saucony’s Life on the Run collection

Pre-cool your clothing

It may sound silly but putting a shirt or running hat in the freezer for a few minutes before a hot run will keep cool in the early kilometres.

popsicle popsicles freezie summer

Slushies, ice cubes and super-chilled beverages

Staying well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day is essential when a hot run later on will cause plenty of sweating. Another way to keep your core temperature in check is to literally cool it down with cold beverages. Having a pre-run slushy, chomping on some ice cubes or drinking an iced beverage, could delay the time it takes for your body temperature to rise while out on the run. Try this in the five minutes before you head out on your run.

Slow down

It’s the piece of advice you don’t actually want to hear but one of the best and most effective ways to have a more comfortable run is to simply slow down and adjust your effort for the conditions. This isn’t hard on an easy or recovery run day but it’s still necessary for workouts and races too. Always listen to the body. If you feel dizzy, nauseous or unwell, stop and seek medical assistance.

RELATED: How to adjust your effort for heat and humidity

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