Staying Hydrated

Cooler weather is coming very quickly.  One of the mistakes many runners make, is not staying hydrated enough when the weather turns cold.  It’s easy to overlook hydration in the fall/winter months, because the effects are less obvious. In the summer, we are constantly reminded by our sweat drenched clothes to take in more fluids.  Sweat actually evaporates more quickly in cold air. Giving us the illusion that we aren’t using as many fluids.  Also, the body works much harder in the fall/winter months.  The extra weight from wearing more layers, can cause more sweating than you might be aware of.  Another major factor, is we lose more water in cold air through the respiratory system.  When we see our breath, it’s actually water vapor, contributing to our dehydration.  Lastly, our thirst response is diminished by up to 40% in the winter months.  So make sure you are consuming at least half your body weight in ounces of water a day.  It’s also a good idea to use Nuun tabs or some other form of electrolytes when drinking water away from meals.

​Stay Healthy,
 
Wayne Earney MS, CSCS, PES, CES
 

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