General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Why does my face turn so red when I run? Rss Feed  
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2012-05-28 1:57 PM

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Subject: Why does my face turn so red when I run?
Running makes my face really red.  Anything I can do to limit this?  Seems like the hotter it is the more it happens.  I like to run at lunch but it takes a while to turn back to a normal color which is a little embarrassing.  I'm not running super hard, just a regular jog when it happens.  I work as hard in the pool or on the bike and my head doesn't turn red.  Anything I can do to keep this from happening?


2012-05-28 2:08 PM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: Why does my face turn so red when I run?
Its one of the ways your body cools itself.  Int he pool your fce is in water tht is below your body temp and cools you.  On thebike there is probably apprent wind that makes the effect less noticiable.  Not much you can do.
2012-05-28 2:10 PM
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Subject: RE: Why does my face turn so red when I run?

Mine does that, too - I look a bit like a tomato.

I've found a little cool water on my face helps get it looking normal a little faster.

2012-05-28 2:30 PM
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Subject: RE: Why does my face turn so red when I run?
The body cools itself by bringing more of your blood supply to the skin instead of the core. Only way to reduce it is to cool off. Sorry.
2012-05-28 2:44 PM
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Subject: RE: Why does my face turn so red when I run?

BigMikeGA - 2012-05-28 2:30 PM The body cools itself by bringing more of your blood supply to the skin instead of the core. Only way to reduce it is to cool off. Sorry.

Yep.  You can't fight your physiology.  You can either

1.  Cool off.

2.  Slow down.  or

3.  Get a tan. 

2012-05-28 2:52 PM
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Subject: RE: Why does my face turn so red when I run?
Farlig - 2012-05-28 1:44 PM

BigMikeGA - 2012-05-28 2:30 PM The body cools itself by bringing more of your blood supply to the skin instead of the core. Only way to reduce it is to cool off. Sorry.

Yep.  You can't fight your physiology.  You can either

1.  Cool off.

2.  Slow down.  or

3.  Get a tan. 

Getting a tan would definitely fall under fighting my physiology! At least my freckles hide some of it! Thanks. I will try a cold blast in the shower. I totally look like a big tomato!


2012-05-28 4:37 PM
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Subject: RE: Why does my face turn so red when I run?

Moonrocket - 2012-05-28 8:57 PM Running makes my face really red.  Anything I can do to limit this?

The body cools of by sweat and by letting your blood flow through the blood vessels right under your skin. The face is generally full of these small vessels making it perfect for cooling off and giving you that red colour.

If you run with too much clothes then the face is often the only thing that remains uncovered where you can cool off. I suggest that you try running with less clothes, use layers and take them off as you begin to run. If you have covering layers make sure that they are breathable, leave that windbreaker at home unless it is really windy. Open up around the wrists and neck, etc. It's ok if you find it a little bit cold when you start, you will soon get the warmth from the exercise. In the extreme end .. say Chewbacca and friends .. shaving may actually help. 

When you run with less clothes you will probably also discover that you sweat less, so you need less hydration. 

In the pool you don't get red, because the water easily cools you - yes, I have actually tried swimming in too hot a pool and have my head turn red, but generally it's not a problem. On the bike, increased wind chill factor from the higher speed also helps to cool you better. Intensity is difficult to compare. When I compare HR for run and bike, the bike is significantly lower. I'm pretty sure that if you take your bike on a trainer and ride at the HR you run with you'll turn red too.

BR, Erik

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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Why does my face turn so red when I run? Rss Feed