Tag: runner safety

Runner Safety tip #3-Summer running

by Ariana Peters, posted in healthy lifestyle, training

Hi!!!!! It is starting to heat up here in Portland! The last 2 days have been in the 90s and we still show sun for a few more days (its a miracle!!!!)! With that it brings me to summer running. Each season presents its own pros and cons for running……except fall when its pretty much perfect all the time hahahaha, I am a little biased though as it is my favorite season.

Pros to summer running:

You don’t have to wear 15 layers that you want to start peeling off 10 minutes after you start.

Water fountains are actually turned on when you stop for a drink

Vitamin D

Natural tan

Cons:

You cannot take enough close off to cool yourself down

Feel like you sweat 15X more

Sunburns!

That is just a few for fun there are a million more, comment your favorite and least favorite things about summer running!

So, for the safety stuff.

Sunscreen is a must! I know we all want that beautiful golden tan, ok not everyone I know I don’t mind alabaster skin if it means no skin cancer. But when you are outside as much as we runners, hikers, swimmers, bikers and everything else are you need to take care of your skin. There are 3 major skin cancer types from sun exposure and the chances of getting them increase with sunburn so take care of yourself.

Hydration is key. When it is hotter we sweat a lot more. We lose water and lots of salt. If you don’t want to carry a water bottle plan your run near places that have water fountains or place you know you can run into and get water. Also remember if you are going to be out there for more than an hour you need more than just water, you need to replenish your electrolytes, mainly sodium and chloride. Take a gel or chew with you or mix a sports drink into your water bottle. For an hour or less I like 1/4 Gatorade to 3/4 water. The longer I am out the higher the Gatorade concentration gets and the more I bring gels. When hiking I love Cliff Blocks, tropical punch is my favorite flavor. Don’t let your salts get out of balance or you can literally drown yourself from the inside out.

Snakes!!!!!! I think this is dependent on where you are but snakes like to come out on roads and trails to sun themselves so be on the lookout and know what kind of snakes are in your area, especially the poisonous ones.

Allergies/allergic reactions if you have allergies keep a Benadryl or some other allergy medicine in your pocket (just 1-2 doses in a plastic bag) for emergencies. Also if you are allergic to bees or things like that plan accordingly when running, whether that means carting along an epi-pen or whatever. Just be prepared.

Heat stroke, this is a big one. If your core temperature gets above 104 degrees F or 40 degrees C. This requires immediate emergency treatment, not getting treated can cause brain, kidney, heart and muscles damage that may be irreversible and can even cause death. If you get too hot pour water over your head and sit in the shade. It is better to cut your run short or take a break in the middle than never be able to run again.

With all that, be safe and have fun out there!!!!!!

Runner Safety Tip #2

by Ariana Peters, posted in healthy lifestyle, training

(Image from google)

Be seen!!!!! This is one we hear all the time but maybe we hear it so much it doesn’t really sink in. When we are a pedestrian or runner we think everyone sees us, how could they not? But there have been many times I have been driving in my car and been in a rush or just not paying great attention and after the fact I think, did I check that cross walk?

There has also been many times recently as I have started taking public transportation into my new job and have to walk about 1/4-1/3 of a mile when I look down at my clothes and realize I am in all dark clothing……Not the best way to be seen.

It has gotten me to think about my running clothes, most of my clothes came from Fabletics or the clearance bin at Target so they are pretty bright and I can be hard to miss, which is perfect! But there are a LOT of dark colored workout clothes out there so think about that the next time you pick out a new workout outfit…..do you want to be seen by that car or not? Especially here in the pacific northwest where it is overcast and rainy so often.

Believe me, in a gym or on the street I do not love to draw attention to the weight I still have to lose or the form fitting clothing I am wearing but I would rather be a little embarrassed (of course once I get into the groove of running that feeling goes away because I am focusing on something else) but I will take the embarrassment over broken body parts.

(Image from google)

Pick out bright colors!!!!!

What do the majority of your workout clothes look like?

Runner safety tip #1

by Ariana Peters, posted in Uncategorized

Right now it is cold, gray, and raining outside and the fore see able forecast is more rain. That being said it is rain and not snow, it may not feel like it but sping is just a month and a half away which means whether you are running outside right now or not more and more of us will be hitting the streets soon instead of our trusty treadmills. 

One really important thing is to keep your running routine varied. It is so easy to find a time and place that fit perfectly into your daily or weekly routine and stick with it. Don’t. Varry when you run and where you run. 

Not having variation in your routine makes you and your home vulnerable. 

You are vulnerable to stalkers (especially with so much of our lives on social media), kidnappers and sexual assults. 

Your home is more vulnerable to being broken into if someone knows you always go out for a run on a certain day and time and are gone a certain amount of time. 

I know it’s a pain but try and change it up now and then.

More runner safety tips coming soon!!!!