I know these people exist. I follow some on Twitter. I even know a few in person.
They run better in the heat. And/or, they enjoy running more in the heat. Riiiiight.
Here are my theories:
- These people naturally have lower internal temperatures than I do, and they don’t need to sweat as much to maintain said temperatures.
- These people have learned to photosynthesize, so they generate more energy the sunnier it is.
- These people aren’t actually people, but reptiles (cold-blooded!) in convincing-but-lightweight human suits.
No matter why they are the way they are, I’m jealous of these weirdos.
When it’s in the high 80s or hotter and humid, I finish runs caked in salt and drenched in sweat. I learned over the weekend that I need to start wearing dark shorts or skirts so I don’t appear to have wet myself. Exhibit A:
Legs up the wall = Sweat all over the wall
And, I no longer live in a place with central air. I never had it until a few years ago, but my last two apartments spoiled me. We have a unit in our room, which makes getting out of bed — and into the swampy hallway — tough. I have trouble convincing myself that a run outside is a good idea when a walk 15 feet to the bathroom leaves me glistening.
I’ve also had some issues with long runs, in that I need to drink hot coffee beforehand in order to, um, run my lightest, but hot coffee is, you know, hot.
Whine whine whine complain.
I know I’ll pine for these long, sunny days when the winter shows up again. So, future self: Take a look at that photo and remember that summer has its downsides, too.
I need to pull out all the stops to get my training back on track this summer: Rinse off with cool water before putting on my running clothes. Bring water (that’s been in the fridge) on every run. And, find some way to drag myself out of bed (and the air conditioning) before the heat starts to get really crazy.
Anyone have any surviving-heat-and-humidity tips? Please, share.
Meghan Kita 
I also hate running in the summer, but I grew up in TN and SC, so I’ve had to cope. I like to freeze half my fluids the night before heading out. Then I add ice. Last weekend, I used leftover Gatorade to make Gatorade ice cubes for this weekend.
Because humidity is highest in the morning, the evening is often the best time of day to run if you can manage it.
Speaking of humidity, when it’s humid, I find I am most miserable if I make the mistake of running through a sprinkler or pouring water on myself mid-run. It feels like I’m generating my own rain cloud.
Gatorade ice cubes sound delicious and perfect. Or: a Gatorade slushie?
If I waited until the evening to run, I’d have it hanging over my head all day, and then I likely wouldn’t go. Humidity it is. I learned that pouring-water-over-myself lesson the hard way at the Disney Marathon. I was so drenched by the end that my lips turned blue in the (air-conditioned) post-race area I was required to hang out in.
I would take 30 degrees and snow over 80 and humid anyday for running! I’ve started putting ice cubes in my bra before I leave (weird but it helps) and I run my visor under water and put it in the freezer overnight.
Ice cubes in bra: Sounds good! I’ve always thought to do this but never actually carried through. Considering it will be 96 tomorrow, that might be the right time.