In the Northern Hemisphere, we are now approaching the heat of the summer. Make sure you prepare yourself by listening and learning from a couple people that really know how to train for heat. Jimmy Dean Freeman, SoCal Coyotes, joins us with his friend Danny Westergaard. Danny has run Badwater 6 times and done a triple crossing of Badwater (875 miles). In seven years, Danny has crossed the Death Valley 16 times!
- How long should it take to become aclimated?
- What strategies work best?
- What advantages will you have if aclimated?
Check out this article: “Heat Training for Summer Ultras” by Nancy Shura-Dervin
I have a question about this podcast.
Will heat training help with an altitude race when one can’t go out early and get acclimated?
In the fall, we have a 100 miler here in AR. Some years are hot others not so much (last year hail, cold, lots of wind and rain). In a situation like this, when its unknown what the weather would be on race day, would it be a good idea to use heat training just in case. Would there be a downfall if it turned out to be a cold year?
This is very timely. I have a 50 miler in Tulsa OK in July! yikes! It does start 1 second before midnight so many miles are run at night.
thanks for another great podcast!!
Is there a certain amount of time one should stop sitting in a sauna before a hot race? I have WS100 this Saturday and was wondering if continuing sauna sitting for today (Monday) and Tuesday would be beneficial or detrimental. I have done several 1 hr long sessions at 160 degrees F. This question is open to anyone with experience.
David!
The HAY IS IN THE BARN. No more heat training. Rest up and eat clean this week. On race day, make sure IF IT’S HOT, to replace those fluids at a higher rate than normal (since you’ve conditioned your body to sweating more fluid out), or you risk getting dehydrated twice as fast. I generally do not sit in the sauna during race week. IF I am conditioned enough to survive an HOUR at 160+, I stop 9-10 days out from the race.
See you out there! Rock it out at States!
Jimmy
Thanks for the advice. Looks like it will be a warm day Saturday.
How appropriate was it that I was listening to this while out running when it was 80-ish degrees with a heat index of about 87? A heat training discussion was very appropriate. The discussion was good and I got some good tips from it.
Maybe I missed the point of this podcast, but it seemed aimed more at people training for Badwater, and less so for the average Joe (or Jane) runner. I live in Phoenix and have been heat training on the trails in the local hills around here. I didn’t hear a lot on this podcast that was applicable to what I’m doing, what could help me, what might be hurting me. But, on the flip side, if I decide to make a run at Badwater, I know where to go for advice.
Will sauna training help for “non-heat” events? In other words, are there other benefits beyond just being better prepared for hot weather?
Love that photo of Jimmy.