Plymouth Rock Assurance and Summer Running Tips

  

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Running Safety

Beach weather has now arrived and many people are adopting fitness routines to attain their “beach bodies”. As a runner, I choose to pound the proverbial pavement as one of the ways I keep fit. There are many factors that play into when & how I can run throughout the summer months.

One of the most obvious factors controlling my regular exercise routine in the summer months is the temperature. Today is June 21th, summer is in full swing and it is going to be 95+ degrees. It is only going to get hotter as the summer rages on. Mid-day running in such high temperatures is not a good idea. I run at 5:00 am when the temperature is cool and the traffic is light or I head out nearer to dusk for the same reasons. If you are restricted to running during the day for whatever the reason, here are some safety tips to follow:

• Make sure you are well hydrated BEFORE heading out. Trying to quench your thirst during a mid-day run is too late. At this point you are already dehydrating and sweating out everything you are putting into your body. Be aware of the signs of dehydration which include:
• Increased thirst o Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Reduced urine output
• Dark urine
• Lightheadedness
• Cramps
• Chills
• Disorientation
• Wear sunscreen. The sun is not kind and you can’t prevent sunburn or skin cancer after the fact.
• Don’t run alone. Even if you feel that you are in the best shape of your life, you never know when you might feel faint, pass out, run into a dog with a bad disposition or a driver who may be otherwise distracted while driving. If you are alone, you may not get the help you need. Always carry a cell phone with your ICE (in case of emergency) numbers with you just in case.
• Wear appropriate running clothes. Wicking material takes the sweat off your body and wicks it away from you helping you to stay cool and dry. Cotton material holds moisture and becomes heavy and labor intensive to wear.
• Do not make major changes in your running routines. Your body needs time to acclimate to a new or more difficult route and running when the temperatures are high is NOT the time to become ambitious or aggressive.
• Stop if you need to. It’s ok, no one will fault you for paying attention to the signs your body is giving you. By following some or all of these safety tips you will decrease the chance that you will run into problems during your regular fitness routines throughout the summer months. For more information on summer running safety you may visit any of the links below.