Coach's Corner - July 2022

Coach’s Corner is a new feature to your Run Muskegon membership! We now have two RRCA Level 1 Certified Coaches, Alana Matyas-Brower and Rory Cloz. Each month they will be sharing coaching advice with members and are always available for questions and help along the way!
 
Summer is officially here and with it comes the warmer temperatures and dreaded Michigan humidity.  Your body needs time to acclimate! Training on a hot day can make conditions feel even more challenging, especially if you start the run dehydrated. Your body must work extra hard in the summer to try and stay cool!
 
When you start running, your core body temperature increases from your muscles generating heat. To cool down, your body pumps extra blood into your skin and you begin to sweat.  Your sweat evaporates, resulting in a natural cooling effect. When the weather is extremely humid though, the air is already saturated with water and your body struggles to evaporate the sweat, losing the natural cooling effect. Your inner core temperature can rise to dangerous levels in as short as 20-30 minutes. A headache, feeling light-headed and muscle cramps are all early signs of heat exhaustion. Know the signs of heat-related illnesses!
 
As you start training for late summer and fall races, adjust your workout and expectations when battling the heat and humidity. Here are a few more tips to stay safe when running in hot and humid weather!
https://www.rrca.org/education/for-runners/hot-weather-running/
Happy & safe running this summer!
-Alana