In our local area the average high temperature during August is 82 degrees, with a low of 62 degrees. It was 90+ yesterday at practice and it won't let up today. In fact, as you know by now, we've moved practice to 4:00PM when we expect things to be a tad more tolerable. But the teams performed well in the heat yesterday. Our practice was held in segments to allow for recovery and water breaks. A "practice test", a 3K easy run on our course, in anticipation of Friday's time trial, was the initial segment. Following a break, most team members jogged a mile loop with four stops along the way. At each stop the athletes performed two core exercises. Then it was back to start for water, recovery and stretch.
Heat in excess of 50 degrees, generally speaking, adversely impacts your running. And as the temperature rises your running ability and efficiency follow a downward trajectory. Simply stated, as you heat up, your body is sending proportionately more blood to your muscles than it customarily would send to your skin to cool you. Your heart and lungs work a little harder, and you slow down. Acclimatization, or becoming accustomed to temperature changes over a period of time can help, but better to be on the safe side. The coaches adjust the workouts to keep you healthy and safe. A couple of our Sophomores, Logan and Alex, who each worked consistently hard over the summer in high temperatures, were able to run well despite yesterday's heat as you can see below. But even those prepared like Logan and Alex experience some drop off in performance in the heat.
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