After writing my recent series 5 Reasons to Acclimate to Running in the Heat, 5 Tips to Help You Acclimate to Running in the Heat, and How to Keep Your Electrolytes Balanced in the Heat, I was posed with a great question. What about my morning coffee? Since caffeine is known to be a diuretic, will it negatively impact my ability to stay hydrated in the heat?
Well the answer is yes and no! Ha! Not what you wanted to hear right? Actually it’s really not complicated. No, if you are using common sense and practicing the tips I recommended to help you acclimate to running in the heat, a cup of joe in the morning prior to your run won’t hurt you. Just be mindful that you are also hydrating with water and electrolytes. For every 8 ounces of caffeine you drink you loose 16 ounces of water. It’s imperative that increase your water intake to accommodate for you loose from both caffeine and running in the heat.
But since the question has been raised, let’s get really honest on our caffeine consumption. Consuming caffeine throughout the day can cause you to become dehydrated. Do you need a jolt a few hours post run and then another pick me up in the afternoon? Everyday? Your body may be telling you it needs more rest. Don’t ignore the signs! Being on the go all the time is not good for you and ultimately your running will suffer as a result. Not only will your runs feel sluggish, but rest is essential for your body to repair itself.
Burning the candle at both ends will lead to illness and injuries. Too much caffeine may help keep you functioning during the daytime, but it can keep you from getting good quality of sleep at night. Before you know it you can get caught up in a vicious cycle of too little sleep and increased caffeine consumption and then you start to feel sick and tired all the time.
To break the cycle, don’t try to go cold turkey. Instead, make small and gradual changes. Try replacing your afternoon cup of joe with a cup of green tea. Enjoy it either hot or served over ice with lemon. You can add a couple of drops of stevia if you prefer sweet tea. Also drink 8 ounces of water first and see if this helps to make your feel more alert. Try not to consume any caffeine after 4 pm to keep it from interfering with your sleep.
Gradually begin moving your bed time up in 10 or 15 minute increments until you are getting a full 7 to 8 hours of sleep. If possible take a 10-20 minute nap during the day. This can do wonders even if you just close your eyes and relax and never fall asleep. We are so overstimulated during our waking hours that having time to be quiet and still can help us feel more rested!
So go ahead and enjoy that morning cup of coffee prior to your run! Just remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day! Do you struggle with drinking too much caffeine or have you successfully kicked the habit to the curb? Make sure to leave a comment below and share what has worked and what has not!
Hi Beverly! I too have dealt with issues that caused me to develop an auto-immune disease back in 2001. After moving to Arkansas 9 years ago I often found myself feeling really alone because I didn’t know anyone, but then made some local friends. Even after moving over to Little Rock, all of my friends were health coaches. I thank social media for helping me to have people to talk to (friends and family back in Michigan and here in Arkansas) That connection is invaluable. It wasn’t until about a year ago that I realized that if I am under stress I don’t even know it. I don’t really feel it physically. This dumbfounded me because my stress hormone was high, but I didn’t feel bad. Anxiety also acts similarly like fear towards me, but I do feel the butterflies of anxiety now. Working out on a regular basis has helped me to squash stress and anxiety. Plus now, cbd oil has been the biggest and most fantastic way I have been able to cope after being homebound and stuck on the couch since April with a severely sprained ankle. Even getting on a plane (which I hate to do) I had no anxiety at all. I feel super relaxed these days, and finally I am able to begin working out….not running at this time, but I can move and walk a few miles a day now. It has been so helpful to connect with other coaches like yourself and speak more about this. In not speaking about it more diseases can pop up unexpectedly and we never want this to happen. It is time to Heal. Love ya Beverly!!
Great points Heidi! Like you, I didn’t even know I was suffering from anxiety until I sought help sorting through all the craziness in my life. Hmm…CBD oil…who knew! I agree, we need to speak out more. I think too many people put up a front and suffer in silence!
Thank you for sharing your story. You are so brave. If you ever want to compare notes on fear, anxiety, grief, not being able to get out of bed, coping with and without running as your crutch, reinventing yourself, truly finding your faith in Christ; my heart always has time and a place for you and your twin!!! ❤️ Conlin.cathy@gmail.com
Oh I bet you could Cathy! Thank you so much for sharing. I don’t think we talk about mental health enough. I am so proud of you for finding your faith and strength in the Lord. He is ever present, evening our worst storms!
Hi Beverly,
I so miss connecting with you all! I too have very much shared your journey. I’m on the other side of it now but am changing many things in my life wich as you know comes with its own grieving as we leave the old behind. It’s lovely to see you share your story as I know it helps many of us.
Would love to get together again.
Hugs,
Kelley
Kelley I miss you too! Thank you for your kind words and your support. We need to get the Soul Sisters together again!