Tag Archive for: electrolytes

Our summertime running advice will keep you moving during the summer months

With Texas already experiencing some summer-like days, it’s important to take advantage of the remaining cool days and mornings while you can! While the humidity and soaring heat may make it challenging to run, it doesn’t mean you have to stop altogether. Instead, consider using this season as an opportunity to become a better runner while staying safe. In this blog post, we’ll provide you with valuable advice on how to beat the heat and continue running during the summertime. Embrace the challenge to make yourself a better runner and stay safe with our advice. Implement this summertime running advice to beat the heat. 

Protect yourself

Image of two women running on a shaded trail. They're following the 3M Half Marathon's summertime running advice to beat the heat while they run.

Trail running is a great way to beat the heat!

If you run when the sun is out, protect yourself from its rays.

  • apply sweat-proof sunscreen 15-20 minutes before your run or workout
  • wear a hat or visor to protect your face
  • rock the shades (protect your eyes from the sun’s rays and glares from other objects)
  • wear light-colored clothes (dark colors absorb more heat) and sweat-wicking material

Hit the trails

Get off the roads and hit the trails! Austin is crawling with amazing trails that you can run on. Running with nature gets you away from the asphalt (absorbs heat), away from cars and their exhaust, and closer to the trees (that provide shade) and creeks (where you can cool off if needed). Pro tip: if you run with your dog on the trails, obey all city ordinances and make sure you pack water and a bowl (or that the creeks have running water).

Adjust schedule

It’s no secret that the mornings and evenings are cooler than the afternoon. Running/working out when it’s 15-20 degrees cooler can make all the difference. The last thing you want to do is overheat your body. Pro tip: these six tips will help ensure you make your morning run.

Hydrate

Oftentimes the most overlooked tip. Not because people don’t hydrate, but because people don’t hydrate enough. 60-80 fluid ounces is recommended daily depending on body weight. If you’re more active you’ll need to increase the amount. Make sure to incorporate a nice balance of water and a liquid with electrolytes. Adequately hydrating on a daily basis ensures your body has what it needs when you begin sweating during your run/workout.

Cross-train

Yes, cross-training can help you improve as a runner!  You don’t have to stop running, but your mileage will decrease when you implement cross-training. This can be as simple as riding your bike on these shaded trails. You could try online yoga, bootcamp workouts, or rock climbing. Remember to apply sunscreen if you’re outdoors. Benefits: increase lung capacity, recovery from a hard run, strengthen muscles, and increase flexibility.

The summer heat doesn’t have to be a barrier to your running routine. With careful planning and incorporating the tips mentioned in this blog post, you can stay safe and still enjoy the benefits of running during the summer months. Whether you’re an experienced runner or just starting out, it’s essential to listen to your body and adjust your routine accordingly. By staying hydrated, wearing breathable clothing, running in shaded areas, and taking breaks when needed, you can continue to challenge yourself and improve your fitness level while beating the heat.

You know about hydration, now learn about how it helps your body

nuun is the official hydration partner of the 3M Half Marathon. They know a thing or two about hydrating athletes. The experts at nuun are constantly gathering information about how athletes can better fuel their bodies. This blog post was written by the experts to educate athletes and provide them with the information needed to be successful during training and racing.

1. Hydration is energy (for your muscles)

nuun: official hydration of the 3M Half Marathon.Most people think that the main purpose of hydration is to help prevent dehydration (and to replenish electrolyte stores that may be lost via sweat). Although both of those are true (recent studies have shown that electrolytes may play greater roles in fluids absorption than sweat replenishment), the fundamental goal of hydration is to deliver oxygen to working muscles. Try to think about the fluid you are consuming as a way of helping your muscles breathe, which in turn gives them the energy they need to perform.

2. Water does not hydrate you

Yes, you read that correctly! While water does fundamentally provide your body with fluid, it does not truly hydrate you. Water needs to be in a specific concentration (composing of carbohydrates and electrolytes) to exit the stomach and move into circulation where it can be used by the body. Our water needs to contain sodium to ensure proper fluid absorption. To make matters even more complicated, your “water” should contain different amounts of carbohydrates and electrolytes before/during/after your workout! It is highly recommended that rather than using tap water, you purchase a filter to ensure all the bad chemicals are removed from it. Having a look a sites such as reviews by Best Products Pro to help you find the best and most beneficial filter possible. You may also benefit from investing in a water softener to improve the quality of the water in your home – click to see.

3. Proper hydration will help mitigate gastric distress during exercise

To put it simply, when you are exercising, your body (stomach) is under stress. There are ways you can eat and drink to mitigate that stress or to encourage it. When it comes to hydration, if the ratio of carbohydrates to fluid is too high or the electrolyte profile is too low, the delivery of fluid slows down and sits in the stomach. That’s what causes sloshing and GI issues during racing.

4. Hydration will help you fuel better

This builds on the previous point. With proper hydration you can help eliminate the GI issues that can come with it and allow faster and more efficient fueling. This is achieved by not overloading your system and using multiple pathways to absorb fluids and carbohydrates.

5. Hydration aids in recovery

One area that is very crucial to the recovery process is rehydrating. Rehydrating not only replenishes fluids lost during exercise, but it also aids in replenishing the electrolytes that were also lost. Keep in mind: drinking too much too fast can degrade the potential gains of the workout, here’s why: your body, over time, has developed a strong immune system that helps repair itself when it is under the stresses of exercise. Therefore, naturally you want your body to begin repairing itself, slowly rehydrate, and continue to hydrate throughout the day.

nuun hydration is our official hydration partner. Head over to nuunlife.com to stock up and train with what will be on course.

***Press release

High Five Events, one of the largest privately owned event production companies in the United States, is excited to announce a two-year agreement between the 3M Half Marathon and nuun and company, the pioneer of electrolyte enhanced drink tablets that turn water into an optimally balanced sports drink. The 3M Half Marathon will take place on January 21, 2018, and feature nuun’s signature electrolyte-enhanced tablets at all aid stations.

“There may be no better place to seek your personal best than the 3M Half Marathon,” said Kevin Rutherford, nuun President and CEO. “This course is the perfect match for nuun hydration, as nuun is designed to hydrate you better so you can perform at your best.”

As the exclusive hydration for the 3M Half Marathon, nuun will provide nuun electrolyte tablets (lemon-lime and tri-berry) to all participants on course. The tablets are growing in popularity within the endurance community because they’re packed with electrolytes and are more easily absorbed during peak performance. nuun will also be available at the start and finish lines. In addition, nuun and the 3M Half Marathon will increase community engagement and product awareness by offering free samples and product discounts, sampling nuun at running stores, and supporting various demo runs around Austin.

“nuun fueled hundreds of PRs at the 2017 3M Half Marathon and we expect the same outcome in January 2018,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “Additionally, this two-year agreement will allow us to take our community engagement opportunities to the next level by partnering with groups and clubs year-round.”

The 3M Half Marathon boasts one of the fastest 13.1-mile courses in the country and will celebrate its 24th year running in 2018. Runners will enjoy a point-to-point course with mostly downhill running that showcases some of Austin’s finest locations. Starting in north Austin and finishing near the Texas State Capitol, runners will appreciate a 306’ net elevation drop. Participants can register on the website.