June 21, 2006 Columbia, MD Jean Knaack 410-290-3890 Please share this information with club members, race/event participants, and your community: June 21, 2006 marks the first official day of summer, also know as the summer solstice or longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. To celebrate the first day of summer, the Road Runners Club of America wants to remind the running community about the importance of following our hot weather running tips. Running in the heat of summer can be dangerous if proper precautions and preparations are not followed.
1. Avoid dehydration!!! You can lose between 6 and 12 oz. of fluid for every 20 minutes of running. Therefore it is important to pre-hydrate (10-15 oz. of fluid 10 to 15 minutes prior to running) and drink fluids every 20-30 minutes along your running route. To determine if you are hydrating properly, weigh yourself before and after running. You should have drunk one pint of fluid for every pound you're missing. Indications that you are running while dehydrated are a persistent elevated pulse after finishing your run and dark yellow urine. Keep in mind that thirst is not an adequate indicator of dehydration.
Visit Gatorade Endurance’s site at http://www.itsonthecourse.com. You will find great tools for developing a hydration strategy and coupons for Gatorade Endurance.
To stay hydrated on your run, consider using one of the many products designed by FuelBelt, Inc, “The Official Hydration Delivery System of the RRCA”. Find them online at http://www.fuelbelt.com.
2. Avoid running outside if the heat is above 98.6 degrees, body temperature, and the humidity is above 70-80%. While running, the body temperature is regulated by the process sweat evaporating off of the skin. If the humidity in the air is so high that it prevents the process of evaporation of sweat from the skin, you can quickly overheat and literally cook your insides from an elevated body temperature.
3. When running, if you become dizzy, nauseated, have the chills, or cease to sweat…. STOP RUNNING, find shade, and drink water or a fluid replacement drink such as Gatorade. If you do not feel better, get help. Heatstroke occurs when the body fails to regulate its own temperature, and the body temperature continues to rise. Symptoms of heatstroke include mental changes (such as confusion, delirium, or unconsciousness) and skin that is red, hot, and dry, even under the armpits. Heatstroke is a life-threatening medical emergency, requiring emergency medical treatment. For more information and symptoms of heatstroke visit http://www.webmd.com/content/article/87/99468.htm.
4. Run in the shade whenever possible, avoid direct sunlight and blacktop. When you are going to be exposed to the intense summer rays of the sun, apply at least SPF 15 sunscreen and wear protective eyewear that filters out UVA and UVB rays. Consider wearing a visor that will shade your eyes and skin but will allow heat to be transferred off the top of your head.
5. If you have heart or respiratory problems or you are on any medications, consult your doctor about running in the heat. In some cases it may be in your best interests to run indoors. If you have a history of heatstroke/illness, run with extreme caution.
6. Children should run in the morning or late afternoon hours, but should avoid the peak heat of the day to prevent heat related illnesses. It is especially important to keep children hydrated while running and playing outdoors in the heat.
7. DO wear light colored breathable clothing. DO NOT wear long sleeves or long pants or sweat suits. Purposefully running in sweat suits on hot days to lose water weight is dangerous!
8. Plan your route so you can refill water bottles or find drinking fountains. City parks, local merchants, and restaurants are all good points to incorporate on your route during hot weather running. Be sure to tell someone where you are running how long you think you will gone, and carry identification.
Stay hydrated, cool, and safe this summer! ### The Road Runners Club of America is a non-profit organization of over 700 running clubs and 175,000 members across the United States. The RRCA chapters organize races, have training runs, provide safety guidelines, promote children's and masters fitness running programs, and have social programs. http://www.RRCA.org |
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