Ep 90: Heat, Humidity, & Expectations - A Smarter Way to Train, with Dr. Michelle Quirk

Summer running can challenge your body and your mind. For many runners, especially high-achieving athletes and women physicians, summer running can bring frustration when paces slow or workouts feel harder than expected.  In this replay episode, I’m revisiting one of the most practical and important conversations from the Mindful Marathon archives about how to train safely, confidently, and compassionately in the heat and humidity. This episode is your reminder that adapting to conditions is part of training wisely. Whether you’re preparing for a fall race, rebuilding consistency, or simply trying to make summer running feel more manageable, this episode will help you adjust your training with intention instead of judgment. Inside this episode, we discuss: Why running in the heat feels harder and what your body is doing to keep you cool How heat and humidity impact pace, heart rate, and perceived effort Why slowing down in the summer is not a sign of weakness, but smart training Tips for hydration, electrolytes, and estimating your sweat rate What to wear and when to run to stay safer and more comfortable The warning signs of heat-related illness and when it’s time to stop How heat acclimatization can actually improve your fitness for fall racing Why training by effort and not pace is important for safety and consistency Every summer mile builds resilience both physically and mentally. What’s one adjustment you’re making to your summer running routine? DM me or email your questions about training in the heat. I’d love to hear from you and feature your question in a future episode. Follow Coach Michelle on Instagram.   / mindful.marathon   If you have questions about your own training, reach out on Coach Michelle's website, and let's explore working together for personalized support. https://mindful-marathon.com ** The information contained in this podcast is intended to serve as educational information and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should consult your primary care physician before undertaking any fitness regimen or exercise, which can pose serious health risks if undertaken or performed improperly. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in the videos is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/advanced practice provider. **