It seems I’ve written running tips/hacks for every season but Summer. Summer running can be really hard, but there are ways to make it at least a little more comfortable.
Here are five of my tried and true running hacks for summer:
- Freeze your water bottles. I’ve shared this before, but it’s a good one: fill your water bottle halfway with water and stick it in the freezer. I generally do this as soon as I’ve used a bottle/s, so there’s always bottles ready to go. Top off with refrigerated water right before your run.
- Leave the top off your water bottle if . . . you do the freeze your water in the bottle trick above. Otherwise the top can freeze to the bottle and it can be difficult to open initially.
- Wear a cooling towel. I really do think they make a difference, and if nothing else, it is something that can wipe the sweat away.
- Bring more water than you think you’ll drink. Because that cooling towel can dry out really quickly — you can rewet it on the run. You can also pour a little cold water over your head (if you’ve frozen those water bottles). I’ve tried wetting my visors — they dry out in a flash.
- Use anti chafing gel on bug bites. That’s on bug bites that you already have. So they don’t get irritated when they get rubbed on the run.
Here’s a few other ways I’ve been changing up my running routine lately:
- I keep a PackIt bag (Amazon Affiliate link here) in my freezer year round. It does a great job of keeping cold things cold (the sides are actually gel packs — no need to add any. I see they now have zip closures — that’s awesome. Mine does not, but it still does a great job. As you can see, I can fit a 21 oz water bottle in there.
- Usually I like to drink Nuun before and after my runs (not during; I don’t like sweet things on the run). I have to get out so early that I just don’t have time to drink that much. I’ve switched to electrolyte capsules instead.
- I used to have a fairly long, slow pre run routine when it’s cold (it might just be a form of procrastination). I would do PT exercises, Yoga if I had the time, foam roll, and then a dynamic warmup. Now it’s foam rolling and a 5-10 minute dynamic warmup (depending on how early I started). Those two are the things I think are most important before a run.
- This isn’t a change; I just thought I’d mention it. I put calendula ointment on the bottom of my big toe and my heels before I put on my socks. It helps the skin stay moist and provides a friction barrier. Often in the Summer the bottom of my big toe would dry out so much that the skin would begin to peel!
What are your Summer running hacks?
Is your pre run routine different in the Summer than it is in the Winter?
Are you enjoying hot runs lately?
ICYMI: It’s a great idea to warm up those wrists before tackling table top, down dog, and planks. This short video is also a great midday (or anytime) stretch if you’re stuck at a desk — even at home! Especially if you do a lot of typing. Practice with me in this short video here.
Chocolaterunsjudy 
Definitely pick a route with shade. Trees. Woods. Trails.
Wear a baseball cap. Protects your head from sun.
Loops rather than out and back to drink and fuel.
Run less. Run shorter. Run slower.
Thatās it from me.
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I hate looping (although sometimes I do it), but yup, I do run less, run shorter, and run slower.
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I always bring more water than I think I will need. I run a lot less in the summertime. I like to freeze some icy towels for post run
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Icy towels are wonderful post run!
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I also like to freeze my water bottles because like you said warm water is the worst when you’re on a run. I seek shade whenever possible. Most of all, I tell myself it’s fine if I need a walk break or even to just stop running completely and take a break.
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Oh yes, I’m definitely walking a bit more than I normally do right now!
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I always run my shady routes in the summer! Those flip belt water bottles are awesome. That is the only way I ever take water with me. I think I learned about them from you a while back! -M
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Yes, I do love my flip bottles too. š
Unfortunately since I mostly stick to my neighborhood, the shade is sometimes hard to come by. I’ve survived so far — but shade makes SUCH a difference!
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I think I write (ahem, rewrite LOL) hack posts for each season, too. I think we’re on to something š I have a couple cooling towels, and I don’t think to use them. It’s only been really hot the past couple weeks, but still. I try to do a warm-up every time I run, but I don’t spend as much time in the summer as I do in cold weather.
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The cooling towels really help me! At the very least to wipe off the sweat LOL.
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You know, I never thought about freezing my water bottle – thanks for the tip. I’ve never used a wet cooling towel except in the Richmond Marathon when one was handed to me, but I was afraid it would wipe the sunscreen off of me so I just laid it on my shoulders and neck. What I really wanted to do was wipe my face with it.
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I do use my cooling towel to wipe off my face. It helps a lot. I figure I’m probably wiping off the sunscreen, but I do have a visor & sunglasses so hopefully I’m protected enough.
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I freeze my Tailwind bottles the night before a long run or bike ride. I’m always amazed at how quickly they thaw! That cooling towel is a good idea-it came in handy on my long run last weekend. And yep, bring more water than you think you’ll need!
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I have 2 cooling towels (one was swag from a race, I won the other in a giveaway). I love them both & use them both!
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I do short loops from our rec center. That way, I don’t have to carry water – I can stop and get a drink/use the restroom every few miles. I love the idea of the calendula ointment. That sounds wonderful!
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I could, of course, stop at my house & use a bathroom or get a drink. I never do, though. Or at least so far I haven’t had to. I like to sip some water every mile!
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