Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 149 Feb. 2022 | Page 63

| THE TECH

IT ’ S SUNNY

Running often means spending a substantial amount of time outside , in the sun , which means you may need to deal with issues like bright conditions that tire or hurt your eyes , a burnt scalp , or sweat in eyes . The good news is that a lot of research has been put into caps , visors , sunglasses and sweat bands , which make running easier and more comfortable , and here ’ s what you should be looking for .
With visors , look for a design that is firm-fitting and will stay in place when you run , but which still allows ventilation to prevent too much heat build-up under the band around the head . You also need a pre-curved brim to make sure your eyes are protected , otherwise you are simply wearing a fashion accessory with not much technical point while out running .
There are many running accessories on the market today to protect you from the sun and help you to run in bright conditions , and when it comes to choosing the ones to use , you should start by asking what you need your accessories to do for you . Keeping in mind that we all need to protect our heads , faces , ears and necks from the sun , and thus all need to use a high-factor sunscreen anyway , there are still a few questions that must be answered :
• Do you have specific areas of skin that are more susceptible to sun damage , such as the top of the head ?
• Do you sweat a lot and thus struggle with sweat running into your eyes ?
• Do you prefer your head to be uncovered while running , to prevent getting too hot ?
• Do you wear a cap just to keep the sun out of your eyes ?
CAPS VS VISORS When it comes to spending time in the sun , the brim or peak of a cap or visor will offer protection for your face , specifically the forehead and nose , which are both highly susceptible to sun damage . This will also mean you don ’ t need to put as much sunblock on your forehead , which will mean less likelihood of it running into your eyes as you begin to sweat . And nobody likes that burning sensation when a bead of sweat drenched in sunblock hits your retina !
The choice between a cap or visor is often down to preference , but runners with thinner hair or shaved heads usually prefer a full cap . It covers the whole head and prevents sunburn on the top of the head and solves another problem … because the alternative is lathering the whole head in sunscreen , which inevitably then runs into your eyes .
Important to note with the full cap option is that it can lead to a build-up of heat around the head , so make sure you pick a cap that ’ s well ventilated , to allow the heat to escape and prevent you feeling uncomfortable , overheating , dehydrating , or worstcase scenario , developing heatstroke . A great trick to prevent this is to wet your cap with water , thereby keeping your head cool , and to keep it wet during longer runs .
In contrast , runners with a thick head of hair may prefer running with their heads uncovered , as you may find caps too hot or uncomfortable in the long run . However , if you still want protection for your face and to keep the sun out of your eyes , a visor is a great option . It will provide that essential protection for your face while still allowing the head to remain cool .
I DON ’ T DO HATS … Of course , some runners don ’ t like running with any form of hat , as you may feel your head is uncomfortably constricted or squashed , sometimes leading to headaches or discomfort , and again , worstcase scenario , heat build-up and health issues . If it is simply a case of keeping the sweat from being a constant annoyance as it runs down your face , you may find a simple sweatband over your forehead easier , but those who prefer to avoid awkward tan lines may feel a cap or visor is a better choice . It all comes down to personal preference .
However , what all runners should consider using is a decent pair of sunglasses , as protection of your eyes is just as important as protecting the skin . The key considerations when looking for a decent pair of running glasses include the following :
• It ’ s not only about shielding your eyes from the sun ’ s harmful UV Rays and bright glare , but you also want something that will shield the eyes from the UV rays and glare radiating off the road .
• You need to look for sunglasses with quality lenses that offer the necessary protection against these UV rays , and a design of lens that wraps the face to cut out the light from the sides and around the bottom of the lenses .
• Ventilation is key , to prevent heat build-up behind the glasses as you run and sweat .
• Lastly , you want a pair that offers a non-slip nose piece and arms , as well as a design that helps block sweat from getting into your eyes , especially from the forehead area .
There are many ways to protect yourself from the sun and still have a comfortable run , so pick your running accessories carefully . And always use sunscreen !
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