The Long Heat: Enduring When the Sun Never Lets Up
Phillip LaPoint
Training for long events is hard enough. Stack heat on top of that and you don't just get a harder run, you get a whole new challenge. Whether you're prepping for an ultra, grinding through a summer ruck, or putting in hours on the job under the sun, the long heat demands more from you, and it rewards those who train for it.
Endurance Breaks Differently in the Heat
You can hit the same paces, same zones, same workouts, but in heat, the stress spikes faster. Your heart rate climbs. RPE creeps up. Sweat pours out. If you don't respect the heat, it will drag your long day into the dirt.
Here's how to make sure it doesn't.
Train Long in the Heat Before You Have To
* Start Cool, Finish Hot: Early morning runs are fine, but if your event is in the heat, your long efforts should mimic that. Start early and keep going until the sun is overhead.
* Hydration Trials: Every long session is a chance to test how much you sweat and what you need to replace. Get serious about your plan.
* Gear Tests: Some fabrics hold up. Some don't. Use the long heat to find your best kit.
Pacing in the Furnace
Long heat efforts aren't just about suffering. They're about strategy. When your body runs hotter:
* Back off pace early to avoid blowing up.
* Use heart rate or effort, not just pace.
* Fuel early, fuel often. Waiting until you're depleted in the heat is a losing game.
Field-Tested Cooling Tactics
* Ice bandanas, sponges, cooling towels in training and racing.
* Soak your shirt at aid stations or water stops.
* Find shade on loops when possible and give yourself breaks to get back under control.
Mind Over Melt
The long heat isn't just physical. It's mental. Your thoughts get negative faster. Your mind wants you to stop sooner. The key isn't ignoring it, it's preparing for it. Training through those hot hours conditions your grit as much as your legs.
Built for It
You train for the long heat so your body and your gear don't fall apart when it matters. That's why we built Class 5 Performance apparel to survive the furnace. Lightweight, fast-drying, breathable, everything we wish we had when we started.
