Today we have a tip of the day from professional triathlete Doug MacLean:
After seeing so many athletes struggle with the heat in races, even most recently at the Boston Marathon, it’s time to review a general pacing guideline for racing in the heat: if your heart rate is rising unusually high, or if you feel like you’re overcooking… SLOW DOWN! It may seem like a good idea to keep pushing, but all you’ll do is continue to raise your body temperature and dig a deeper hole. It’s important to slow down and re-hydrate (walking at aid stations can be a huge help) to allow your core temperature to return to normal levels. After your body temp drops a bit, then you can get back to runnin’ fast!
Core Power user Doug MacLean is a pro triathlete and triathlon coach. You can follow Doug on Twitter and learn more about him on his website.
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Stay hydrated. Keep the juices flowing all day long, not just before and during workouts. Make sure to drink plenty of water during the day, and supplement with sports drinks before and during workouts. Before long workouts, it may help to take an aspirin or ibuprofen. In addition to preempting post workout soreness, aspirin thins your blood, making the heart’s job a little bit easier.
Dress for the weather. Wear light colored clothing made of thin fabric allowing for air circulation. The faster that sweat can evaporate, the faster your body can body can cool down. Avoid wearing thick cotton.