Running In The Heat
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2003 8:22 pm
With Fall approaching, how do runners effectively prepare for racing in the heat?
With carefully planned, moderate runs during hot weather you can enhance a runner's ability to maintain a reasonable body temperature during competition in the heat and reduce the risk of heat illness.
Research shows that 10 to 14 days of hot weather running appears to be enough to produce the desired adaptations. Also, research pointed out that it is far more advisable to begin heat training by running for brief periods during hot portions of the day, slowly increasing the heat mileage over time.
Coaches should think about the consequences when pushing young, inexperienced runners to compete when they sign up in the Fall without base training during the summer. These runners should have at least two weeks of training in the heat before they compete in the heat. The consequences put the program at risk, and the athletes who have been working hard during the summer don't get a chance to compete if the fire department ends the meet due to heat illnesses.
Coach Payan
www.CoachesEducation.com