If there is ONE thing you should know about me it’s that I’m a red-headed Mexican.
Therefore, some of my ancestors came from the desert.
Therefore, I love dessert. (?)
Therefore, I have a very spicy temper.
What were we talking about again?
Oh. Running in the heat.
I LOVE California.
I love it 70% because of the weather, 20% because it’s totally normal to eat kale chips here and 10% because self serve fro-yo has been around forever and is available on every corner.
But even though I LOVE hot, dry desert-y weather – it’s not ideal to run in. The weather is going to be HOT for the LA Marathon. The forecast is predicting 83 degrees.
NOTE: 55 degrees is the ‘ideal’ long distance running temperature! So, it’s important to adjust your goals and be smart about running in the heat.
5 Tips For Running in the HEAT
1. Stay hydrated! The easiest way to check your hydration is to make sure your pee is light yellow – not dark or orange or blue. If it’s green see a doctor. If you are color blind text me a picture of it and I’ll let you know my thoughts.
2. Dress in light clothes, sweat wicking clothes. Plan your running wear before the race or long run according to the weather. Also – sweat can equal chafing, so lube up!
Britney knows, sometimes less is more…
3. Wear a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
4. Walk through the aid stations to make sure you are getting fluid. Dump a cup of water on your head if you’re extra hot. If you are running solo – plan your route where there are water fountains or places to refill.
5. Readjust your goals. Slow down. Have patience with your body and realize heat will make the distance more challenging. Running in extreme temperatures is no joke, so be respectful of the distance, your body and the weather.
Seriously. Even the Boston Marathon had a heat advisory in 2012 and let runners defer if they wanted. That year Geoffery Mutai – the defending champ even dropped out at mile 18.
And in 2007 the Chicago Marathon was extremely hot and Runner’s World referred to it as a melt down.
Extreme weather, be it hot or cold can be hard on your body – be smart and safe.
Question: Do you love your home-state?
Josie says
Running a marathon in extreme heat sounds so dangerous.. Thanks for the good advice!
rodrigocvicente says
Interesting way of seeing it. Funny and w/ good tips.
Congrats.
Honore MacCoy-Patty says
Love my home state of CA and Santa Monica where I grew up! Haven’t had to worry much about running I. The heat here in Seattle, but I can run in rain no problem. Great tips – enjoy tomorrow!
Becky @ Ok, so here's the plan says
I grew up in four states, but I claim Oregon as my home state. I love it – it’s so pretty!
Annemarie/Carmie says
I love my home state of Maine. It’s been pretty cold and snowy this winter. Fortunately, I joined a fantastic running group and I’ve been outside all winter. It’s easier to stay warm than I thought!
I’ll be wishing you well this weekend! Enjoy!
kurohana says
if you want hot running weather try the bad water marathon high elevation and over 100 degree weather.
Christopher says
Wow it won’t be 80 around here until May maybe:)
Allie says
You have no idea what I’d give to have to deal with heat right now! It’s been cold almost non-stop in Maryland since Thanksgiving. And I’m talking ice on the ground, too dangerous to run outside cold. It has made training quite unpredictable and difficult :/ I am trying to convince all my friends and family to move somewhere warmer with me!
Anel says
My home state is California, too! I loved that you can get to the mountains, beach, and a city withing hours of each other. I just LOVE all your gifs. You crack me up!!!
april says
good luck this weekend!
i love my home state of california, too! i feel so lucky to have been born and raised in the LA area. it’s really the best 🙂
Shannon in Tustin says
Super Duper LOVE my home state of California! 😀
When I’m down by the beach, I feel blessed beyond believe to live in such a beautiful place (or 13 miles from it!) 😀
Good luck on Sunday; take care of yourself.
lexi says
your hair looks really pretty in that first photo, you should wear it like that more often!
Amber S. says
As much as I complain about Minnesota winters, I love it here. I feel like we appreciate all of our other seasons so much more because winter is so brutual. Fall and summer here are amazing!
Shannon B. says
I’m ok with my home state of Nebraska. The winter this year has kinda ticked me off, but hopefully soon it will be a nice long spring.
Laura says
I live in Massachusetts and we are looking to move down south if that tells you how I feel! It’s been super cold here this winter. I am excited that tomorrow the temperature is supposed to be 45. And we are planning a long run since it will be warm!!
Kelly Jo says
Good Luck this weekend. I live in KY and we have all 4 seasons, but I am so over the winter!!! We have had more snow and ice this year than in years!!!! We shouldn’t have one bug, bee or mosquito if the old saying is true about being a cold rough winter, killing them all out!!!! But I do like changes….in my wardrobe 😉 important things right!
Sarah says
New York. Love it here! Just waiting for warmer weather 🙂
You have the prettiest hair, and I’m super jealous. I love the top pic in this post. Do you run with your hair like that? If so, how (without it falling)?!!
Good luck at the race!!
Melissa S. says
I do love living close to Chicago, IL. However, this winter sucks!!!! I am soooo ready for some 40-50 degree temps. I think I will finally be able to get outside this weekend!!! The bike path that I run has been covered in snow/ice all winter and is just now starting to melt!!! Yay!!!!
Good luck this weekend!!!!
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juls @ livingblissed says
i love my hometown, St. Louis. and I love Brooklyn (where I currently reside).
also have been to cali and love it. i could definitely see myself there sometime down the line! good luck with the race!
Charley says
I live in singapore where it’s a daily 34c and 90% humidity.
It’s essential to run before 8 am really and most of the races here start at 530am.
Agree with the hat though it just gets too sweaty!
Debi says
Ah, yes I do. Cali girl since birth. Have a great race in LA! It’s a FUN course.
Mary says
Heat is my biggest fear for my first London marathon this year. Obviously it will be nowhere near as hot as you guys get, but I sweat then melt at even a tiny bit of heat and live in shorts year round. Please be cold on 13th April weather…!
Sue says
Also take in isotonics eg Gatorade.
I’m ok-ish with heat but heat + humid = uurrrgghhh!
Sara @ LovingOnTheRun says
I love my original home state of NC. Not so much PA. NC was perfect because it had a little of every season. I miss it -thankfully we are moving back very close to it in a few months!
Christie says
I live in Canada (northern Ontario) and just had to comment to say that I just read this on my way out the door for a run and the windchill here is currently -18C (which is apparently ~ 0F).
I couldn’t help but laugh at how irrelevant this post is to me right now!
Enjoy your heat!
Amy @ runlikeabird says
I LOVE running in Washington. Mild temperatures, not too humid, and rain ain’t no thang. I spent some time after my half marathon last July trying to run through Sacramento to keep things limber and moving, and good LORD. You could not pay me enough to run regularly in Cali.
Chicago Jogger says
Be safe this weekend!!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
I wish I loved my home state of NJ. It has been a terrible winter here! So cold. Good running tips!
Ashley @ Saving Money in your Twenties says
I am SO looking forward to summer running- even HOT weather is so much better than the negative degrees that we have now! UGH I want to move to cali ASAP 🙂
Elizabeth {Positively Healthy} says
Loving the tips about the temps! Wow, I need help on the jokes! 🙂 I like my home-state but some days I just want to scream at how bipolar it can be in terms of weather!
Erin @ Erin's Inside Job says
Let’s just say I don’t hate it. There are worse places to live. Like the arctic. That would suck.
P.S. That hair bun contraption thing looks awesome.
Chris Cossairt says
Love your hair! Thanks for the running tips even though it won’t be warm here for another 3 months. Good luck this weekend and have fun!
Kelly M says
I pretty much hate my home state of pennsylvania right now because it’s been more like snow hell. I keep harassing my husband to move to California. He’s seems to be budging a little after this horrible winter.
Laura P says
I’m a native Californian too, and do love this state. I am running LA as well, my first marathon, and I gotta say this weather is making me nervous!! I seriously picked this one for my first cause I thought early March will be perfect weather! Doh! I will definitely be stopping at every aid station and taking fluids.
Lauren says
eekkk! LA is going to be my first marathon ever…. and I am not liking the idea of this heat too much!
Ashley P says
I love California and miss it terribly. I have a half marathon next month in Hawaii and I’m a little worried about the humidity. I’ve been training (somewhat) in a lot colder temps living in the Midwest so I’m hoping I don’t keel over.
Charlotte says
Oops… and by the way? Would you ever do a marathon in the land of your forefathers? It’s a beautiful country.
Charlotte says
A red headed Mexican I am not, but I love the desert. I wasnt made for snow or wind chills.
Ashley says
I wouldn’t say I’m attached to my home state of IL, but Colorado, where I live now, is pretty flipping awesome.
Tiffany @ The Chi-Athlete says
Good luck, missy! Obviously, these are fantastic tips. I hope that you have a great time out there.
I love, love, love Texas. I never thought that I would leave it ever again to live in another place (I moved to Germany in my early 20s for a few years).
Kelly says
Good luck Sunday and be careful! In NC the humidity is brutal in the warmer months so my runs outside are always early or later in the afternoon
Denise says
I also live in Florida but due to working 7 a to 7 p I run at 5 am with a friend. I did do a 5 k that started at 8 am, It was so muggy and brutal I thought I would die. I do love it here though I run by the water and sometimes see dolphins early in the morning. Very Cool!
Mary@RunWalkLift says
Love WA but mainly because of the family nearby.
Loved living in California except for not having family around.
I think moving to Hawaii would be amazing.
Sarah says
I LOVE my home state of Maryland. We get all 4 seasons and we have mountains, ocean, bay, rivers, forests, plains for farms. It’s a wonderful place and the consistent hills are great for running. Currently I reside in Texas, where running can be horrible about 7 months out of the year due to the heat and/or humidity.
Jojo @ RunFastEatLots says
I live in MD too! And I agree, we have it all 😀
Ashley @ Brocblog says
Yikes 80 degrees!! At least you guys finish down by the ocean so it might be a bit cooler?
I do love my home state but I dont live there because it’s cold.
Flower says
I live in Florida and it can be unbearable hot for runners. I wear a visor instead of a hat because hats tend to be crazy hot with my long hair. I also run with an enduracool towel around my neck in the summer and it helps immensely, well worth the 15 bucks!
Cady @ This Is The Moment says
I’m from Arizona, aka the desert, so I naturally love dessert too. Thanks for the tips!