Opening Statement
You can pick your marathon; you just can't pick the weather.
I am often surprised how often I read about folks who opt to modify their running plans because of the weather. Some folks cancel, some folks postpone, some folks even opt for a session on the treadmill. But why?
Obviously, there are some very good weather related reasons to postpone a run. Lightning is number one on my list because I don't think even vultures would bother with fried Jamoosh. Fog is another good reason to stay inside. If you stay indoors during a hurricane or a blizzard that is indeed a good call. But what about standard every day cold, heat and rain?
Why would one forsake a training opportunity because of the weather?
Before I go any further I am not advocating that every time the weather is a little inclement, or shall we say less than ideal, you should rush out for a training run. Also, my assumption is that all of my readers belong to the intelligentsia and will take the appropriate precautions.
That said, I would recommend running in cold, hot and rainy weather every now and then so you can be appropriately prepared when the Running Gods foist a less than perfect weather forecast upon your marathon of choice.
Furthermore, if the marathon you choose is typically cold, then you need cold weather runs to acclimate your body. Vice versa for a warmer marathon. Let's face it, you can't train in the cool mountain air and expect to perform well in Death Valley.
Expectations
Heat and cold tap your energy (you can read more about that here), therefore you need to modify your expectations accordingly. In races where temperatures are higher or lower than ideal, many runners struggle because they begin the race with pre-determined goals based on perfect weather. Expect disappointment and excuses to follow.
Gear
Matching running gear can be a recipe for a miserable race. Seriously, I don't care if your running shirt matches your shoes perfectly. Let's talk about performance instead.
How does your shoe/sock combo perform with your anti-blister powder/cream/gel/roll-on in the rain? What about that shirt that matches your purple butt running shorts so well? How well does it wick in high humidity or intense heat?
What about the number of layers required to get you through a cold weather run? Sure, if you put on too many, you can just discard (but that can also be a financial loss), but what if you have too few layers? Congratulations, you are now the subject of a new hit song titled "Misery."
You
What can you do to minimize performance loss? Additional fluids; more gels; perhaps?
The more you understand about how your body, as well as your running accessories, react in different types of weather, the better prepared you can be for a race.
A few examples.
- I have a sweet running singlet featuring St. Arnold Brewing. Unfortunately it's wicking properties are less than stellar and it must be reserved only for cooler marathons.
- In 2006 I ran a Half Marathon in Madison, WI. Because of temperatures in the 90's the Marathon was eventually shut down. Although it was my slowest "solo" half marathon, once I re-evaluated my expectations, I had an enjoyable race.
- While I do love running in the rain, I am better off with nothing to protect my feet from blisters. Powders become paste like and other forms of protection become sludge in my shoes (although Body Glide isn't too bad).
- Ever notice how much decent running gear is tossed off to the side of a course during a marathon?
Training isn't just about mileage and minutes. Training is meant to prepare you for what you will encounter during the course of your chosen race.
Listening to: Mr. Blue Sky - ELO
Closing Argument: The one drawback about running goals is that we set them with the assumption that conditions will be perfect.
