The hot summer in Texas had an early start in June and is now carrying over into July. The heat makes it tough for runners almost any time of the day or evening. Early morning and late evening seem to be the best time to get a run in that allow any kind of distance or pace work. The short speed workouts are one alternative because the time in the heat is shorter. For longer runs, water stops or water backpacks are a necessity. It is tough to be a Texas runner during a hot summer.
There are a few alternative workouts that can take the place of running in the heat. Running inside on a treadmill is one good workout to avoid getting overheated on a run. A runner can try other indoor machines that work the cardiorespiratory systems and also bring in other muscle action. A stationary bike is a good workout for leg strength and aerobic benefits, and the amount of time the runner can exercise is usually increased. The rowing machine is another great workout for a runner. The movement back and forth on the sliding seat develops leg strength. The pulling of the oars develops the arms and upper and lower back muscles. Rowing is considered one of the best workouts for overall strength and aerobic conditioning. For a runner, the rowing exercises are a great carryover.
One other alternative workout for a runner is water resistance. Injured runners that have leg injuries that prevent the pounding on the pavement have used floatation vests to run in water. It is a non-weight bearing activity for the legs but is still good for aerobic benefits and the legs can move fast or slow to simulate running. The resistance of the water gives enough strength development for an injured leg to recover without harm. The water pressure around the chest area helps with breathing benefits that can almost be like running sprints and having to breathe hard.
