Training and racing in the heat is tough, but you can learn to tolerate the heat if you systematically expose yourself to it. If you live in a hot climate, acclimatizing to the heat happens naturally because you are continually dealing with it. For those who live in cooler climates but who travel to train or race in hot climates, there is a necessary “break in” period so the body’s cooling mechanisms (sweating, skin blood flow, fluid-electrolyte balance) can respond appropriately when faced with higher temperatures. According to a consensus statement on training and racing in the heat, it takes about 1 week of repeated exposure for well-trained athletes to acclimatize to the heat.
