Summer has produced some first-time headlines. Or at the very least, some stuff we never thought we’d see: Baltimore forecast to be hotter than Furnace Creek; the term “heat dome” being used in everyday conversation; and health experts telling us to lay off the coffee and booze?
Before we go any further here, watch the weather and pay attention to your own body. Each of us manages the heat a little differently, and there’s zero shame in sitting it out or taking your workout indoors.
But let’s get back to this whole hydration thing.
As athletes and runners, we’re probably doing better than the average bear when it comes to staying saturated. These, however, are trying times.
“Hardly a day goes by in the clinic that somebody isn’t in there because of dehydration,” Dr. Keith Anderson told us. He’s the medical director for the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon, and a family medicine and sports medicine practitioner at the Novant Health Cotswold Medical Clinic.
“Whether that’s heart palpitations or dizziness or headaches,” he added, “a lot of the things that cause people to have daily symptoms or intermittent symptoms are because of dehydration, and definitely people don’t seem to realize how much they’re supposed to be drinking.”
DIY water station: Create your own little oasis by stocking a cooler on the porch or at the end of your driveway. Plan a route that passes your aid station often, and you’ll thank yourself later. Warning: this method does make it a little easier to call it quits. And sometimes, that’s the right thing to do. Bottle drops in the bushes: This OG method takes a little more planning, and there’s no guarantee your bottles will still be there if you drop them the night before your run. However, it’s still a pretty decent backup plan. For a more in-the-moment bottle drop, buy two bottles at your convenience store stop, then drop one along the way for replenishment on the return route.
Yay, ApplePay: Practically every convenience store takes credit cards, ApplePay, etc.. Slide one into your pocket, cap, or bag, and you’re good to go. Plan your route accordingly, and practically anything you’d need is just one aid station away. Ditch into the Drive-Thru: This one actually takes a little moxie, but we’ve found the drive-through window staff at most fast-food joints are more than willing to fill our water bottles or reusable cups. Use your best judgement about cutting line.
Phone a friend: Plan your route to pass neighbors and friends who wouldn’t mind leaving a bottle or two on the porch. If they’re runners, too, they’ll totally get it. Maybe they’ll even catch a few miles with you, too. Misery doesn’t mind company.
Frozen caps and bandanas (thanks, Coach!): Our old cross country coach introduced us to this one. He’d store our extra hats, caps, and bandanas in a cooler full of ice and we’d trade them out between loops. Add this to your DIY water station set-up. We’ll store a cap in the freezer to get a hot day’s run off to a cool start, too.
Got a creative way to stay hydrated out there? Let us know so we can share your wisdom with the bunch!
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