Marathon Weekend 2026

[RuntheMouse]

Also in trip planning, I am hoping flights to Orlando drop in price. I have been checking United and ticket prices are high.

Keep checking! My desired Delta flights just dropped $60 RT this morning. Still not sure if I want to pull the trigger just yet but they are finally starting to move.

 

[camaker]

Good afternoon and happy Easter RunDisney All-Stars! Welcome to this week's edition of Sundays are for Disney (SAFD). Heat and humidity are starting to ramp up as spring takes hold, with temperatures here in NC being described as "June-like". This week's question is what techniques do you use to acclimate to and deal with the increasing heat and humidity as summer approaches?

SAFD: The most important thing I do to deal with the heat and humidity is to slow down. I've got a table that tells me just how much to slow down based on the sum of the temperature and dew point (T+D). Other than that, I pretty much just try to power through. I take more fluids with me and carry them on shorter runs. I also like to keep a stock of Pop-Ice in the freezer. After a hot run, eating a couple of them can help bring my body temperature back to normal ranges much more quickly.

 

[matt and beth]

SAFD:

Happy Easter! I run inside on super hot days. I’d say the biggest recommendation I could possibly give is hydration. It begins long before your run. Drink water all the time

 

[Baloo in MI]

SAFD:
We are still experiencing the shoulder season here in mid-Michigan with the highest temp I see in the next few weeks in the upper 70’s. So I am loving that! But when it does get hot and humid I get my runs in early to avoid heat. I totally agree with hydration and I carry water on runs more than a few miles as it gets hotter. I second @matt and beth with the recommendation to be hydrating more all the time. I bring water to work and try to drink more in the evenings in place of a soda (my vice).

Oh, and I sweat and complain a lot…

 

[WillRunForPizza]

SAFD: It has not been very summer-like in DC yet, for the most part. But in addition to what everyone else has said, I find that I need extra electrolytes after my run when it's hot, as well as before and during. I used to (and still occasionally do) get exertion headaches during/after hard runs on especially hot days, and having more salt immediately afterwards helps with that.

 

[GuinnessRunner]

SAFD: I try and adjust pace using the T&D chart too although my success of overriding the part of my brain that still tells me I’m running slower than I’m supposed to isn’t that great. For longer runs I do fill one of my bottles half way and freeze it the night before. Helps keep me a bit cooler for longer.

 

[Naomeri]

SAFD: MN is experiencing a proper spring, but I haven't started training yet. I've got a 6 week sort of reintroduction to training plan (since I haven't really been on-plan since early December) and then I have 10 weeks of speed training planned for the summer. I chose this specifically because I'll do all the speed workouts on the treadmill, where it's climate-controlled. All the easy runs are less than an hour, so I can survive summer temps for that long, especially when I can go as slow as I want.

I also have a spreadsheet with all the T+D adjustment calculations hidden in it, so all I have to do is input the T, D, and my scheduled pace, and it will tell me what my adjusted pace should be, all without me having to do any math

 

[PrincessV]

SAFD: I’m a Floridian - I “acclimate” by, you know… existing. There is no beating the heat for 5-6 months of the year here, only adjusting: adjusting approach and expectations. I run or walk by perceived effort, which naturally slows down my pace in the heat. I go by time, not distance. I avoid the worst of the heat and the sun as much as possible. The cumulative effect of just living in FL heat that never relents really gets to me by Aug-Sept, so I try to spend more time in the pool or indoors on the treadmill. Plenty of fluids and electrolytes. I wear a Buff wrapped around a wrist and I’ll stop at public water fountains to soak it and wring out over arms, legs, neck, head - the water’s only a few degrees cooler than the air, but it feels good for a few minutes!

 

[BigEeyore]

SAFD: I live near Atlanta so summer heat and humidity are a fact of life! I slow it down (and try to not let the slower pace affect my self esteem!), and I get my runs done before the sun is high in the sky. And staying on top of hydration/electrolytes between runs!

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

SAFD: I’m in Georgia, too, but over the years, I have switched to more and more treadmill running. Once upon a time, I did all my running outside, but not so much now. As Peachtree approaches, I’ll try to get in some outside running, but will probably mostly stick with the treadmill.

 

[smileyanna]

SAFD: It takes me a long while to get used to the heat and humidity. I drink more electrolytes and use salt pills on long runs. I switch out my treadmill pattern in the winter and summer - in the winter I start on the treadmill in the dark and cold and finish up outside; summer I get as much running as I can done before the heat/sun and then finish on the treadmill.

 

[jpholic]

SAFD: The assault tread is my best friend during the summer for long runs. I like an evening run club jog for shorter runs and two Orangetheory 2G/Tread50 classes will round me out for my weekly miles. I do Hyrox conditioning type classes as well year round. 80% of my training tends to be indoors until the weather cooperates.

 

[Herding_Cats]

SAFD: sorry for all you southerners, but I should have glorious temperatures for another 2 months before it gets hot hot. But once I do need to adjust, it's what others have already stated: hydration, electrolytes, being cognizant of pace and effort, avoiding running in the direct sun or during the hottest part of the day.

I also like to use my kids' inflatable waterslide/splash pool to sit in as a not-so-cold plunge on occasion. (Like this one from Costco, since ours ripped out last year.)

Our well water is usually about 50 degrees year round, so if we've freshly filled/used it the water is NOT warm, but after it sits for a few days (we cycle it for about a week with a sump pump once it's filled up sufficiently) it can get into the 70s, which is still refreshing after a long, hot run.

Does using a hot tub count as heat acclimation? If so, add that to the list as well.

 

[JackosinDIS]

SAFD: I don’t have to worry about this as I live in the North of England! We are lucky if it gets above 70 most of the summer. If it gets to 80 it’s only for a few days and we enjoy it while it lasts (and sweat a lot as we don’t have air conditioning anywhere!)

 

[mmm_texas]

SAFD: Here we have plenty of heat, spring to fall. Running early is almost a necessity. Slow down, especially for those longer runs that might take me into the late morning. And, of course, hydration. In the summer, I've settled on 3 swallows of a sports drink every 5 minutes. (Once summer's over and it cools down, I back off on the frequency to better simulate on-course hydration intervals, since I don't carry my own during races.)

 

[nancipants]

SAFD: I am super lucky to have a pool, so after longer runs I’ll jump in before taking a shower. I also increase electrolytes and fueling in general. Sometimes I bring cooling towels, especially for hotter races.

In general, I run on the treadmill more and run fewer miles overall.

 

[FFigawi]

SAFD: It's always hot here. With the T+D never less than 150, there's not much I can do to avoid it. I carry water, refill often, and try to start and finish early. Keeping up with hydration and electrolyte replenishment during the day makes a big difference too. I go through a lot of LMNT, Liquid IV, and Precision Fuel & Hydration products.

 

[Dopey 2020]

SAFD
I need to hydrate better, most of my water intake comes as coffee or beer but that’s another story. I don’t change much for the heat/humidity. I’m stubborn and just push on until I have to slow it down. I bring a small flask of water on my long runs once it gets up into the 80s but that’s about it. Although like @camaker I do stock the freezer with freeze pops, half of one for me and half for my dog, she would be very upset if I didn’t share on a hot summer day.

 

[The Expert]

Heat and humidity are starting to ramp up as spring takes hold

Someone forgot to tell Vermont.



SAFD: Thankfully this all melted off the next day and it's been beautiful, if a little wet, now that spring has finally set in. It will start to get humid and buggy, then we might get a few weeks in the 90s here and there in a few months. That said, heat and humidity are kryptonite to me and I just run on the basement treadmill, though I don't usually have any races to train for during the hottest time of year. I did start using the hot tub for heat acclimation last Dopey cycle, though it turns out I didn't need it for this year's races (yay).

This summer I'm hoping to get out on the trails more, which are nice and shady here with tons of tree cover.

 

[3princesandaprincess]

SAFD: Another Georgian here, so heat and humidity are just a fact of life. I grew up in the south and am pretty used to it.
I run on the treadmill frequently, but carry extra water/electrolytes in the heat on days I run outside. We currently have a pool and I cool off in that after a long run. (Unfortunately, our house in under contract, so may not have that option all summer this year ).