Great Job, Everyone!

I heard that the run this morning was pretty tough! I'm so glad that so many of you toughed it through the heat and finished the 2-mile run! I also want to welcome the new people who came to try out the team for their first time. WELCOME!

Today, many people felt dehydrated and very hot. We'll begin posting water stations for the longer runs. However, I want to reference (3) items that you can do for yourself:

1. Revisit the Starter Kit Checklist. Please note the "Optional Items," and I want to highlight (4) items that you can bring to your run workouts:
a. sunscreen.
b. running visor/hat--it will keep the skin on your face 5 degrees cooler.
c. sunglasses (lightweight / preferably polarized)--it will reduce glare and brightness, increasing your comfort.
d. a water bottle or water belt to carry during your run--if you plan to run the event with a bottle, you need to start doing it now. A running sports bottle--that wraps around your hand or waist--is the best product for your runs, because that is its design.

2. Acclimate. Many of us spend 90% of our week inside homes and offices with computers, telephones, shade, artificial lighting, and A/C. Take the time to acclimate yourself to the weather. It takes the human body 2 weeks to acclimate to a new environment.

Here's a few everyday tips you can do:
a. Commute to and from work with all the windows rolled down, without the A/C.
b. Walk to lunch.
c. Schedule a run workout at the grand outdoors, away from the gym or the indoor track.

3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. It needs to be a way of life. Now that you are a runner, walker, cyclist, or rollerblader, your daily water requirement is higher. Drink plenty of water during the day and throughout the week. Eating right also plays a factor in this--eating right will help your body use the water in its system efficiently. Yes, you can overhydrate and get symptoms of hyponatremia, but right now, you probably don't have to worry about that. It's like having the heart attack after a marathon or ironman. :P But we'll visit that issue when we get to "Sports Nutrition." Your pee needs to be clear!


Ladies and gentlemen, it's called HEAT MANGEMENT. Reference the previous training tips on hydration for Warm-up, Cool-down, Recovery, and Rest, as well as Nutrition. Treat your body nicely and your body will treat you nicely. The knowledge is there. Wisdom will follow when you practice it. Your body's a sports car, it doesn't run efficiently when it's overheating.

All in all, perceived effort will be higher in hotter environments. The management team can only do so much for you. I'll be CPR certified in a few weeks, and we have some members who are medically qualified as well. But we can't help you unless you help yourself first. Help us help you. Train smart, eat right, hydrate plentifully, and invest in good running gear.

GOOD JOB TODAY, EVERYONE!!! See you next week!