Intro and question about sweat (or the lack thereof)

[semielliptical]

Hi all! I have some questions about sweating/overheating, but since I am new here, first an intro:

I just started running last fall, when I decided to do a Girls on the Run 5k event with my niece. I followed the Couch to 5k plan, and it worked quite well for me, I was able to run 5k by the week before the event. (My focus during the actual Girls on the Run 5k was supporting my niece - she did a lot more walking than running but she finished, felt very accomplished and enjoyed the program overall.) I continued running, with some low points this winter when I wasn't running more than once a week, but recently I've gotten back into a routine of about 3-4 miles, 3 times a week, which makes me happy. I have signed up for a 5k race in a few weeks, and I'm thinking about training to do a 10k by the fall.

But as the weather gets warmer I'm becoming concerned about how to keep cool while running. I sweat very little, and I don't really sweat at all on my face or head. (This isn't new.) Even with temps in the mid 60s I've started to feel uncomfortably hot at times while running. I don't enjoy running indoors on a treadmill, so while I could do that occasionally when the weather is really terrible, it's not a general solution. Ideas so far:

- run early in the morning: not my favorite but I'll do it if necessary
- carry a water bottle: I tried the Nathan QuickShot, which wasn't too annoying to carry. It works fine for sipping water, but that's not my main need; I want to cool my face/head. I found that trying to squeeze water directly on my face while running was only partly successful because the water sprayed all over, got in my eyes, etc. Pouring some water in my hand and then putting it on my face was a bit better. Any other recs or ideas for water containers?
- I have seen cooling bandanas that are meant to be soaked in water and then worn around the neck. Anyone have experience with these?

Any other advice?

Comments

[blnchflr]

In the hot days of summer, I learn to run in the cooler (for relative values of cooler) parts of the day, or to just suffer through mid-day runs.

I prefer to wait ½ hour or so to shower after a run, to be properly cooled down first, but after hot runs, my shins and feet are sometimes so ridiculously hot, I need to hose them down first thing coming home!

I.e. I have absolutely no helpful advice for you, *hands*.

[shadowkitty]

I usually run in the evening. I don't like carrying water with me and I find you don't actually need it unless you're doing a very long run.

However I find it's really good to dump a load on top of my head before I go out, right through my hair. A lot of people have said to me that this helps prevent heatstroke, too.

[semielliptical]

It's actually helpful just to be reminded that others suffer from the heat, too!

I usually stretch and wait a while before showering, too. I haven't had to hose down my legs yet, but unless it's cold outside my face is beet red and hot by the end of a run, and I splash water on it right away.

[semielliptical]

Yes, since I do short runs I don't really need water for drinking, but to put on my face/head. Thanks for the tip about starting off with a wet head - I'm going to try that when it gets a little warmer here!

[38thparallel]

I live in a region with extremely high summer temperatures (today's high was 90)! I've tried running in the evening and at night, but have found that the heat and the humidity are much less (and the air quality much better) in the early morning. I don't carry a water bottle with me, but I make sure to hydrate before I head out. That said, it's so humid here, I feel like I've had a shower during my run, regardless of how much I sweat! :)

My one piece of advice is concerning head gear. When I still ran during the day, I made a point to wear a lightweight visor (sometimes dipped in cold water) to shield my face from the sun and to let me head "breathe" (unlike a full cap). The sun here is brutal!

Cooling bandannas sound interesting!

By the way, Girls on the Run rocks!

[semielliptical]

Visor, yes! I can't imagine wearing a hat; even in the winter I only wore a headband for my ears, and usually took it off mid-run when I got warmed up. But you're right that I need to shade my face.

The Girls on the Run event was amazing, and I know my niece loved the rest of the program, too!