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Staying Cool, by Strides

How do I beat the summer heat?

For Canadians across the country, summertime is the best time for running outdoors - no worries about slipping on ice or freezing their face! The mid-summer heat, however, can sometimes prove challenging, but if you follow a few recommendations, summer running can be both enjoyable and rewarding. The first, and most obvious, is to move your runs from mid-day to either early morning or later in the stridesrunning.com evening, when temperatures are cooler. Hydrating before (very important!), during and post-run will also help keep your energy up. Many sport nutrition brands now have various options for drink mixes with carbohydrates (important pre- and mid-run), electrolytes (important at all times) and proteins (important postrun). Good ‘ol water also does the trick for staying hydrated! Finally, dressing for the heat is critical. Lightweight apparel, wearing a hat and using sunscreen (minimum SPF 30) will help your core temperature stay lower and avoid sunburn!