How do you cope with running in extreme heat?

This is an extract from Mountain Fuel's article on coping with extreme heat. To read the article in full click here.

Key points: 

• Keep hydrated by sipping a combination of liquid carbohydrates and electrolytes, ideally in the same drink to avoid taking on too much fluid
• Too much fluid, particularly water alone can be harmful
• Consider taking salt caps to supplement sweat loss on a very hot day
• Pace yourself, on a hot day the majority of people simply can’t run at their usual pace
• Make the most of available water sources to soak hats, bandanas etc
• Be aware and know your own body and be prepared to act upon the onset of physiological stress  

Throughout all our running careers I’m sure that we have all over-cooked things from time-to-time, especially during a hot summer's day, I know I have! Feelings of fatigue, dizziness, nausea, decrease and/or an increase in appetite, dehydration, muscle cramps, uncontrollable shivering; these are all symptoms of heat exhaustion and/or heat stroke, and are a sign that you have overdone things by running in extreme heat.

 

Thermoregulation plays a vital role in our bodies homeostatic balance, so vital in fact that it can be fatal when things go slightly haywire physiologically when exercising during hot environments. A human can tolerate drops in core temperature of ~18°F (10°C), yet can only tolerate increases of ~5°C (9°F) ⁽¹⁾. Understanding thermoregulation, especially during extreme exercise environments can dramatically reduce heat injuries/stress/stroke, and even death.

 

There are many ways of staying safe and cool when running in hot weather, and not have the summer heat cause detrimental effects to both health, and performance; here are our top tips from Mountain Fuel®:

 

Control your core temperature:

 

The human core temperature at rest is suggested to be 98.6°F (37°C) and it is vital for performance (and health) that this does not fluctuate any more than 5°C (9°F), however, human performance will be negatively affected before this peak is reached. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that core body temperature is regulated. Depending on the event distance, duration, intensity, and the temperature & humidity of the environment, various cooling strategies have been adopted to help regulate core temperature ie: drinking cold water, pouring water over your head & body, in-race fine-spray showers, water-bottle sprays, eating ice-slurry, wearing ice-vests, ice-hats and/or ice-bandanas will all aid in thermoregulation ⁽¹⁾.

 

Hydration:

 

Physical performance can be significantly impaired when ~2-4% of total body mass is lost through sweat, and >4% can be detrimental to health ⁽²⁾. Building-up to your event (2-4 hours pre-race) consume in the range of ~350-490mL/hr (3) of a carbohydrate and electrolyte drink, Mountain Fuel Xtreme Energy fuel is a good example of this mixed with plain water to help continued hydration, and also to top up glycogen stores.

 

Athletes are advised not to depend on thirst mechanisms during exercise as the thirst signalling mechanism sent by your brain can be blunted by exercise or overridden by the mind ⁽³⁾. During your event, you should be well practiced in hydration strategies due to knowing your own personal sweat-loss rate. However, it is good practice to aim for the consumption of ~0.4-0.8L/hr of fluids, ⁽⁴⁾  ideally a carb / electrolyte drink like Mountain Fuel or equivilant, although this range will need to be customized to the individual athletes needs and tolerances and timing in the race (plain water, carbohydrate drinks, electrolyte drinks, exercise duration & intensity, environment, weather, etc).

 

Electrolyte intake:

 

In addition to water, sweat contains electrolytes (sodium being the main one) and these are essential to maintain homeostasis, optimal body function, physical performance, and the perception of well-being, which is why athletes should strive to replenish electrolytes during exercise as part of their hydration strategy. Consequently, to exercising in hot environments, individual sweat rates will increase significantly, typically with a rise in temperature and therefore electrolyte loss is increased, and should be carefully replaced through such sources as Mountain Fuel Xtreme Energy Fuel drink which contains all the essential electrolytes lost through sweating.

 

In races or training in extreme heat we often suggest diluting down Mountain Fuel as you will naturally drink more ensuring your glycogen replenishment but to aid the additional sweat loss we suggest also taking a regular salt capsule. Salty snacks at feed stations are also a possible option at feed stations to replace sodium although you need to consider the impact of the actual food on your stomach and digestive system which will already be under stress due to the heat.

 

Be aware of physiological stress signals:

 

There are many ‘normal’ physiological demands which are similarly incurred by our body’s which are induced by exercising, and exercising in a hot environment, such as an increase in sweat rate, heart rate, thirst, and time to exhaustion. Also, decreases in stroke volume of the heart and maximal performance are seen more regular when we exercise in the heat. These are not unusual when physically active in a hot environment, however, there are a number of physiological stress signals which we should be more aware of, and be able to recognise. These stress signals are ‘alarm bells’ to warn you that you may be beginning to ‘over-do’ such activities in the heat and you should take action immediately, yet they may also be induced through the nature of the event ie: (Ironman, ultra-marathon running, cycling sportive events, and other prolonged endurance events etc.), and this is where ‘knowing your own body’ is beneficial. ‘Alarm bells’ to be aware of include: Heavy/Severe sweating, feelings of discomfort, muscle cramps, dark-very dark urine colour, flushed skin, rapid heart rate, breathlessness, dehydration, weakness, feelings of dizziness & nausea, headaches, vomiting, fainting, and in more dangerous situations, severe vomiting, severe headaches, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations & delirium, drowsiness, breathlessness, and possible heart palpitations.  

 

Slow down/Reduce intensity:

 

In some situations, ‘beginning slower’ or simply ‘slowing down’ and/or ‘reducing the intensity’ which you may be currently performing at could be enough to help cool you down, and see you through a potentially more difficult phase in your event. Slowing down and limiting and/or removing the exercise intensity will also bring about a reduction in core temperature, heart rate, sweat rate, and energy requirements; all which will consequently aid in balancing thermoregulation. If the intensity is slightly more difficult to control, and/or is a combination of several intense factors ie: (mountainous terrain, high altitude, dry & arid environment and/or elevated humidity) then you may need to stop, reassess your situation and take appropriate action for you.

 

The tortoise and the hare scenario is often borne out in hot racing conditions, managing the stress on your body, muscles and stomach in the early stages by starting slowly can result in a steady pace throughout the race and see you appearing to finish strongly while others are crashing and burning.

To continue reading the full article click here.