PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – With the start of high school sports comes a heat wave for many student athletes.

Players and coaches across metro Portland are adjusting their routines this week to stay safe and hydrated.

High school cross country runners braved the heat by competing on a warm day Wednesday at Lents Park in southeast Portland.

“We are in the PIL Preview,” said cross country coach Ashley Rose.

Student athletes said there was no real way to escape the heat.

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“When you go into the open areas where it’s very sunny, it’s like you feel a million degrees of heat,” student athlete Peyton said.

“This heat was terrible. My throat was dry after the second lap,” student-athlete Duncan said. “I have a giant water bottle. I’m trying to drink.”

Some runners said they need to focus on mind over matter.

Student athlete Soraya said, “It’s not really the temperature that matters, it’s the mental process.”

Cross country coaches said they will adjust their training schedules over the next few days because of the heat.

“They’ll probably be easier, maybe even shorter. We might even build a weight room inside,” Rose said. “My biggest issue is hydration, hydration, hydration, electrolytes.”

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Portland Public Schools (PPS) says it is following heat guidelines from the Oregon School Activities Association (OSSA). When it comes to synthetic turf fields, OSSA recommends avoiding use if it’s hotter than 90 degrees outside and during peak sun hours between noon and 3 p.m. If temperatures rise above 95 degrees, avoid the turf fields altogether.

OSSA said that in general, due to these higher temperatures, activities should be shifted to later in the day.

Runners will try to find shaded areas to train or start their day extra early, he said.

“We’re in Tabor, so we usually go to Tabor. It’s really shady and they have water fountains,” said student athlete Ailinh.

Student athlete Kai said, “If you can only run in the morning or if you are available, you can run after the sun goes down.”

According to OSSA guidelines, the threshold for completely stopping all outdoor activities is determined when the air temperature reaches 40 degrees.

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