Bhuj has a hot desert climate. The best running months are November to February; from March to June, average highs climb to about 39 °C. Heat is the biggest risk on a summer run, so we plan around it.
Timing
- Start early and finish before the sun is high. Summer group runs start before sunrise.
- Choose shaded routes and loops that pass water, rather than long out-and-backs.
- Expect to run slower in the heat. Run by effort, not by pace, and shorten the distance.
Water and salts
- Drink a glass or two of water before you leave.
- On runs longer than about an hour, or on hot mornings, carry water and sip regularly. Consider an electrolyte drink to replace the salt you sweat out.
- Don't over-drink plain water on very long runs either; drink to thirst and include salts.
Dress for it
Light-coloured, loose, breathable clothes, a cap and sunscreen. Wet the cap at water points.
Know the warning signs
Heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, cramps. Stop, move into the shade, drink, and cool down with water.
Heat stroke is an emergency: confusion, slurred speech, hot skin, collapse, or the person stops making sense. Call 108 for an ambulance, move them to the shade and cool them with water and fanning while you wait. Tell the run leader at once.
General guidance, not medical advice. Some medicines and conditions raise the risk of heat illness; ask your doctor.