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Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Summer running

This summer we've been quite lucky in the weather department. Steady light rains have kept the humidity high, but the temperatures absurdly low. It's been in the 80's for most of the summer, with the occasional excursion to the 90's. Some mornings, like yesterday, it was even in the 70's when I woke up!

This is not normal for July: I remember waking up on my wedding day (end of July) and noting wryly that it was 96 degrees at 6:00 am.
After an evening wedding in June: still 95 degrees at 10 pm

That's really the biggest problem with New Orleans summer weather: there is no early morning relief. The temperatures only barely drop at night, and sometimes I'd rather wait longer in the morning to run.
Early run = lower temps but higher humidity
Late run = slightly higher temps once the sun comes out, but it also burns off some moisture.

This becomes the weekend conundrum to ponder. During the workweek, there's no choice: I have to get up early. But on weekends, I have a legitimate excuse to sleep in.Luckily for me, my lower milage this summer means I haven't had to fret about temperatures too much anyway, but I remember some summer long runs that pushed me to the brink of my endurance.

Your summer running: Shorter runs? Slower? Just grit your teeth and do the 10 miles anyway?
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8 comments:

  1. L.A. RunnerJuly 23, 2013 at 9:19 AM

    Yes! We have pretty much the same weather patterns as you guys. I will NEVER understand how the humidity can read 100%, but it not be raining? That is so confusing. to me.

    I find that I like to suffer through the humidity and do it early. Something about that sun coming out full force literally makes me feel like I'm cooking.

    And.. I'm getting married Aug. 23 at night. LOL. We runners are just glutton for punishment!

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  2. BeckaJuly 23, 2013 at 11:04 AM

    The humidity is EXHAUSTING. I would prefer to run in the mornings to get it out of the way, but I can't get out there anymore. When I am running outside during the week it is usually after 6 and during the summer still in the upper 80's or low 90's.

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  3. misszippyJuly 23, 2013 at 12:08 PM

    We've had an incredibly muggy summer this year..the always are, but just haven't had any break in it this year. It's definitely harder training and racing...I look at it as a time to slow down and focus on training for fall races.

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  4. Jim ... 50after40July 24, 2013 at 4:18 AM

    Our summer hasn't really been that bad either. It doesn't get quite as hot as LA here, but we can easily have 85-88 w/90% humidity overnight when we're really burning. But nothing like that this summer. On the weekends I'll usually wait until a little later in the day regardless of temperature because it's the only time I get to run with the Sun actually in the sky. During the week it's always like night outside and it can get a little depressing. The daytime running on the weekends help keep my sanity.

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  5. MeganJuly 24, 2013 at 7:51 PM

    I have much the same issue here in Texas. Some days I can get up early and handle the humidity and some days my lungs just can't process it. Luckily(?) I am also injured so I don't have to worry about long runs. I made the mistake of being out at 11am last saturday though and I thought I was going to die!

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  6. UnknownJuly 25, 2013 at 12:51 AM

    Singapore is like summer every day, so it's just grit your teeth and get it done! And change your clothes a few times during a 20 miler. Makes things MUCH more comfortable...

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  7. UnknownJuly 26, 2013 at 8:34 PM

    I've been running in the evenings lately, and find it tolerable. barely. I've actually tried making nice with my treadmill this summer. Sometimes, it's the only way to go. Mostly, I just go slow and pray for September :)

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  8. AnonymousJuly 27, 2013 at 6:28 AM

    Personally, I prefer the humidity - regardless of the distance.

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