How to Cope with a 45 Degree Day....

There is a lot on the news at the moment about Australia experiencing an "unprecedented" heat wave.  Words like "catastrophic" and "extreme fire danger" have been bantered around.  Today Sydney was expected to reach highs of up to 45 degrees Celsius  in some areas, this is  113 degrees Fahrenheit  - HOT in anyone's terms.  So what can one do to cope with this and get some exercise too?

As we are all still on holiday, we decided to hit the beach - early.  We are fortunate enough to have Granny and Grandpa here and are taking complete advantage.  The Cyclist and I quickly grabbed the exercise opportunity and got up super early to cycle to the beach while the grandparents organised the kids, fed the dog, made the tea, packed the picnic and drove down......(using a GPS and almost getting lost along the way.)

Cycle to the Beach

So, get your exercise in early, before the heat of the day.  We left home just before 6am and cycled down to the beach nearly 23km away.  It was warm but not unbearable and according to The Cyclist "downhill the whole way".  Ha - there was 220 m of elevation according to my Garmin!

A Hot Day on the Beach in Sydney

If you are brave enough to go to the beach on a day like today you should - get there early (we arrived just after 7am and got free street parking - a real miracle in Sydney!); follow the usual sun precautions - a hat, long sleeves and lots of suncream; try and get off the beach by 11 am as the sun will undoubtedly fry you after this, especially if you have been blessed with orange hair and freckles.  The kids had an absolute ball on their boogie boards and it was almost impossible to drag them out of the water.

He Cycles in 42 Degree Heat

If you are a real nutter, and training for the Cape Epic, you can even cycle home from the beach - despite the fact that your wife has issued a dire warning, your friends think that your tyres may delaminate and you still have two primary school kids to raise.  The Cyclist did indeed cycle home, another 22.8 km (over 400m of elevation) and in 42 degree heat.  Have I mentioned that he is crazy?  He says the heat is good training.....





Here is the temperature on the way home and it wasn't even afternoon yet:

Extreme Temperature in Sydney

Hot German Shepherd

When you get home, make sure to bring your dog inside.  Poor Holly is definitely not made for this kind of weather, I think she would be much happier in Europe at the moment.  Maybe I should shave her?











Ensure your curtains are closed...

Close the Curtains

and your pot plants have been moved into the shade (if at all possible) - this is a great upper body workout, especially if you first water the pots.

Pot plants in the Shade

You may swim, but only in the shade and if you wear a full long sleeved rash vest (you'll thank me one day!)

Kids wimming

Finally, if you are fortunate enough, turn on the air conditioning and watch a good movie...

Watching Brave

Right now our air conditioning does not seem to be coping.  I think we are running too many zones.  I'll just go and stick my head in the fridge!



Would you exercise in the heat?  Have you tried Bikram yoga?

Do you think global warming is for real?  

How do you manage on hot days?