WHY DO I ALWAYS SEEM TO GET VERY HOT WHEN I RUN, EVEN WHEN IT’S COLD? I WEAR SHORTS AND A T-SHIRT WHILE OTHERS WILL BE IN JACKETS, LEGGINGS AND HATS! I FEEL I’M BEING HELD BACK. ANY ADVICE?
This is a common problem. Your brain, skin, sweat glands and blood vessels all work together to control body temperature. During exercise your core temperature rises, so your body lowers it by dilating the blood vessels near the skin surface, increasing heart rate and producing sweat, which cools you as it evaporates. Sometimes the fitter you get, the redder and sweatier you get as your body becomes more efficient at losing excess heat. Over time, your body will adapt to different conditions, so as the summer progresses hopefully things won’t get any harder. Run early in the morning, stick with cool clothes and keep well hydrated.