MapMyRun Community - Michigan runner heading to Arizona

Michigan runner heading to Arizona

lauren_a83 — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:48:28 -0500

I am heading to Arizona for a business trip. I live in Northern Michigan where our summer temps are in the mid seventies with 60%+ humidity. I realize I need to drink a lot of water, but I'm a little nervous about running in the desert! Does anyone have any tips for a runner (I will do three 5 mile-ish runs and one 10 miler) that is not used to running in a hot dry climate?

Thanks!!

Michigan runner heading to Arizona

nikilou — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 22:38:05 -0500

Best advice I can give -- Run in the early a.m.! It can be 85 degrees by 6:30 a.m. Not too bad normally, but we've just started our monsoon season, so not only is it hot, but quite humid as well.

Definitely stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and wear a hat!

Michigan runner heading to Arizona

junkie_99 — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:00:14 -0500

Niki's got it...hydrate, run early. Probably you'll want to carry some water with you, to fight off cotton mouth. That's one thing I noticed running in an environment of around 10% humidity....mouth dried out from sucking in the hot, dry air.

Michigan runner heading to Arizona

run2boston — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:06:52 -0500

Absolutely drink plenty of water. We usually head out in the mornings by 6am or in the afternoons around 6pm. Other than that, you should do well in our climate w/ the slight humidity that July has to offer

Michigan runner heading to Arizona

junkie_99 — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:22:08 -0500

I miss the low humidity. It's been around 90% here for my morning runs :(

Michigan runner heading to Arizona

lauren_a83 — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:08:34 -0500

Thanks so much! 85 degrees at 6:30am. That's crazy!! We complain if it's 80 in the middle of summer! Thanks for the tips.

Lauren

Michigan runner heading to Arizona

nikilou — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:51:04 -0500

Yep, and with the humidity at around 40%, it's not fun. That may be lower humidity than most of you (90% - ick), but we're so not used to it on top of the higher temps.