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Five Tips for Summer Running

June 30, 2016 By: Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC28 Comments

Happy Friday! Today is the first day and first Friday in July – so we’re talking fitness. I thought I’d share five tips for summer running since we are in the thick of it here. I hope those of you in the U.S. have a great long weekend and enjoy the 4th of July safely! Don’t forget to check out Cynthia and Mar and some of the other folks who link up with us – and please don’t forget to link to your hosts if you are participating! 

Five Tips for Summer Running

  1. Start early or late. This is my number one tip – I run early in the summer and for a long run, I start at the crack of dawn. It’s not fun to go to bed at 9:30pm on a Friday night (oh, who am I kidding, I don’t mind at all) – but it is nice to be done with runs before most people have even woken up. 
  2. Liquids are your friend. Hydrate hydrate hydrate. Carry water with you and don’t forget to drink it often. Heat stroke is real, y’all. 
  3. Chase the shade. When I’m running in the heat, I will eye both sides of the street to find the side that is more shaded. I am all about chasing shade on the run. In the same vein, I’ll often wear a visor to help keep my face cooler. It can make a big difference! Also consider running on shaded trails if at all possible! 
  4. Embrace the suck. I don’t ever like to look at the weather before going on a run in the summer because I know that 9 times out of 10, it’s going to be hot and humid. Seeing that forecast just bums me out before the run even begins and that puts me in a negative head space before I’ve even taken one step. So I don’t check the weather in the summer and I try not to focus on how much the weather sucks. I focus on my surroundings and friends and what I have to do later in the day. I accept (or try my best to accept) that summer running is often uncomfortable and hard and hot. And I pray for rain and sprinklers, haha. 
  5. Be smart. Don’t be a hero. Sometimes it’s just too dang hot. And in those cases, be safe. Seriously. 

What are your summer running tips? Any fun weekend plans?

DC-Trifecta-Friday-Five-linkup


Comments

  1. Christina says

    June 30, 2016 at 10:58 pm

    I feel like “embrace the suck” should be our motto both for super hot&humid runs and for hills. We’re not dead, so we’re stronger, right?

    Reply
  2. Karen @ fit in France says

    July 1, 2016 at 4:17 am

    I have just completed week 1 of marathon training and will be training throughout the summer. Thanks for the reminder on these tips. I am Lucky that we don’t get the humidity you do, but it can still get hot fast. Which is why I am up, out and back before most people awake !

    Reply
  3. JT Running DC says

    July 1, 2016 at 6:09 am

    Thanks for the tips! I forget about looking for shade. Maybe this is part of tip #2, but I try to run routes that have water fountains more in the summer.

    Reply
  4. Susie @ SuzLyfe says

    July 1, 2016 at 6:28 am

    Keep beer, bananas, and water in the fridge at all times. You will be needing them (all) as soon as you get through the door!
    And ice cream, but that is in the freezer.

    Reply
  5. Coco says

    July 1, 2016 at 6:53 am

    Great tips – #5 is so important, especially if you are training and trying to follow a plan. You need to listen to your bod and be willing to cut a workout short. Happy 4th!

    Reply
  6. Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says

    July 1, 2016 at 6:58 am

    Embrace the suck because it’s still better than running in the bitter cold of winter, right?

    Reply
  7. Kimberly Hatting says

    July 1, 2016 at 8:07 am

    All of these are golden rules 😉 I actually like the summer temps, even when the humidity is crazy. I usually loop back to my house every 5-6 miles for water, etc. on my long runs…and I”m not ashamed to walk briefly if I feel too hot or in need of a break.

    Reply
  8. Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says

    July 1, 2016 at 8:36 am

    We complained about all the rainy spring runs but this week has been tough with the humidity for sure. Thanks for the link up!
    Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Runners & Cyclists Can Co-Exist SafelyMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Lesley says

    July 1, 2016 at 8:53 am

    I love running outside, but in Texas, it’s always hot, even before the sun is up. I don’t mind the treadmill, but sometimes inside is tough as well. I don’t have my best runs, but it still feels good to get them done, then recover correctly. I need more Nuun since I sweat so much in the summer.

    Reply
  10. Megan @ Meg Go Run says

    July 1, 2016 at 8:55 am

    I rarely #1 so I always #4!!!! 🙂

    Reply
  11. Tedi says

    July 1, 2016 at 9:01 am

    I laughed at “embrace the suck” mainly because it’s so true. I got up at 5:30am for my 20 miler so I could avoid the heat.

    Reply
  12. lindsey @livinglovingrunner says

    July 1, 2016 at 9:02 am

    “Embrace the suck” is my theme for this summer!…the suck made this mornings run impossible. I’ll try again later today! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  13. Jen@ says

    July 1, 2016 at 9:47 am

    I am not ashamed to admit a 9:30 bed time sounds amazing to me whether it’s summer or not! And yes to chasing shade…and sprinklers!!
    Jen@ recently posted…Friday Faves+I May Have A New AddictionMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Erica @ Erica Finds says

    July 1, 2016 at 9:58 am

    Instead of embracing the suck (which I do ;)) I say, slow down! Do it on purpose and it doesn’t suck as much – hahaha.

    I ran in San Fran this week at 55 degrees with no humidity. I felt like an Olympian!

    Reply
  15. Meranda@Fairytalesandfitness says

    July 1, 2016 at 10:42 am

    I just ran this morning and it “sucked but I got it done and didn’t die. My race on the 4th starts at 9 am which is way too late to be starting a race in July!b I can tell that’s really gonna “suck”!

    Reply
  16. Lindsey says

    July 1, 2016 at 10:48 am

    I’m with ya! I have no problem slowing down a little in the summer and am constantly crossing the street to the shady side haha! Good for you for getting up early! I manage to make it up in time to walk the dog, but have had some super sweaty runs here lately.

    Reply
  17. Rachel says

    July 1, 2016 at 10:56 am

    Totally embrace the sucK!!! I think that’s why I love running when it’s hot. 🙂 I have a hard time embracing the suck when it’s in the negatives…

    Reply
  18. vicki says

    July 1, 2016 at 11:04 am

    Great tips… running in the heat and humidity is tough. It is amazing how much cooler finding shade make it.

    Reply
  19. Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says

    July 1, 2016 at 11:53 am

    I put ice in my handheld water bottle. it’s still warm after half an hour, but it does help.

    I ran the other day at about 4pm — gotta remember to start going later than that!

    Reply
  20. Hollie says

    July 1, 2016 at 12:02 pm

    These are super helpful, thanks for sharing. Running in the heat is one of my least favorite things to do. LOL. That and running in the rain.

    Reply
  21. Jess @ run Pink says

    July 1, 2016 at 1:07 pm

    Great tips! I’m so fortunate to live at the Pisgah Forest entrance so I try to run through the shaded trees often!! 🙂 I can’t stress hydrate enough either!!! I carry h20 and Nuun with me everywhere. Hope you have a super weekend and thanks for hosting this fun link-up! I’ve met some really wonderful bloggers through this.
    Jess @ run Pink recently posted…Friday Five: 5 Race-Eve Practices My Profile

    Reply
  22. Ana says

    July 1, 2016 at 1:13 pm

    Excellent tips! I do terribly at hydrating in the summer!

    One running tip I read somewhere was to dip a hat in water, then freeze it.

    Reply
  23. Mar @ Mar on the Run says

    July 1, 2016 at 3:25 pm

    good tips! I keep cold beer in the fridge at home. After an especially humid run a sip or two always hits the spot 🙂

    Reply
  24. Lauren @ Lauren Runs says

    July 1, 2016 at 6:46 pm

    I’m generally a visor girl, however I am interested in trying the “frozen hat” trick that I’ve heard about recently. Soak a hat in water, freeze, and take out 10 min before your run!

    Reply
  25. MCM Mama Runs says

    July 1, 2016 at 9:00 pm

    I occasionally run right in the heat of the day for a 20-30 minute run. I feel like it makes the early morning runs feel that much more manageable. LOL.
    MCM Mama Runs recently posted…Five things I’m happy about this FridayMy Profile

    Reply
  26. Lauren Boldizar says

    July 1, 2016 at 10:03 pm

    Embrace the suck is perfect for hot and humid runs this summer!
    Lauren Boldizar recently posted…Summer Smoothie BowlsMy Profile

    Reply
  27. Debbie @ Deb Runs says

    July 3, 2016 at 8:05 am

    I always check the weather before heading out just to play it safe and make sure I don’t get caught in an unexpected thunder storm.

    Thanks for the linkup! It’s nice to have a chance to catch up again!
    Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…Bucket List Adventures For The Great OutdoorsMy Profile

    Reply
  28. Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says

    July 5, 2016 at 3:07 pm

    I am working on starting early, but the snooze and I keep getting into fights.

    Reply

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