Heating Up

by Melissa Brunner

I look at the 99 degree high temperature forecast for Friday and take a deep breath - and a swig of water! Friday night if the Sunflower State Games Governor's Cup 5k and 10k runs. The gun sounds at 7pm - hardly after the heat of the day has dissipated.

The run will follow several days of similar weather. Weren't we already in the 90s by noontime?! You've heard a lot about how the effects of heat can be cumulative. What does that mean? I've asked doctors about it. They explain that it's not necessarily the heat in and of itself, but how we've responded to it. If we don't keep up with the impact it's had on our body, we fall further behind in getting things back into balance. For example, if you go for a run and sweat more than usual, but drink your usual amount of water, then go out the next day, do the same thing then immediately rush back into the heat to do some errands and, the next day, you spend three hours working in the yard, again, carrying your one usual water bottle - each day, you've fallen further behind in proper hydration and getting your body cooled to its normal temperature, and that accumulates to eventually create a health issue. You need to pay attention to recovery each day.

Whether you go for a daily run or just take the dog for a walk, we're all feeling the heat. Be careful, check on your friends and neighbors, and listen to what your body is telling you.


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