{"id":40876,"date":"2015-06-23T11:15:00","date_gmt":"2015-06-23T15:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=40876"},"modified":"2016-07-14T16:03:26","modified_gmt":"2016-07-14T20:03:26","slug":"running-heat-exhaustion-lightning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/fitness\/running-heat-exhaustion-lightning\/","title":{"rendered":"When It Might Be Safer to Run Indoors This Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Your
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While most people welcome warm weather, the runners among us might be watching climbing temperatures with dread. Jog outside when it\u2019s 88 degrees and humid and you may discover that your relationship with summer becomes more love-hate than love-love<\/a>. But should you\u00a0just power through those sweat-drenched runs, no matter how miserable they may be?<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> Hate Running? 25 Ways to Learn to Love It<\/a><\/p>\n

With the dog days of August yet to come, we broke down the physical effects of some of summer\u2019s toughest weather obstacles. Here\u2019s what to do when the going gets hot \u2014\u00a0or when thunderstorms strike \u2014\u00a0and how to know when you\u2019re better off hitting the treadmill<\/a>, instead.<\/p>\n

How Hot Is Too Hot for an Outdoor Run?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

“High humidity is particularly rough on the body because sweat forms quickly on your skin but doesn\u2019t evaporate off.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It will come as no surprise to anyone who\u2019s toughed out a race in the heat that temperature\u00a0can have a big effect<\/a> on performance. Still, different people handle climate changes\u00a0in different ways \u2014 with everything from your weight<\/a> to your gender<\/a> to how fast you run<\/a> impacting your body\u2019s ability to tolerate heat.<\/p>\n

In general, it\u2019s best to avoid running outside if the thermometer reads in the upper 90s or above, says Luke Titus, a personal trainer based out of Lancaster, Pa. He adds that a good rule of thumb is to stay indoors whenever it\u2019s hotter outside than your normal body temperature.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Real Talk: When It\u2019s OK to Quit a Race<\/a><\/p>\n

Why play it safe? High temps require your body to work harder<\/a>, which can quickly throw off your pH and electrolyte balances, leading to dehydration<\/a>. Signs that your body isn\u2019t coping well \u2014 or that you may be at risk for heat exhaustion<\/a> \u2014 include dizziness, cottonmouth, cold sweats, excessive sweating, or even the absence of sweating, which signals that your body can no longer cool itself, says Titus. Here\u2019s how to beat the heat (and when to give in):<\/p>\n