If we weren’t runners, I swear we might be meteorologists. Running in bad weather seems to be one of our favorite things to do…I mean those Instagram photos are worth it, ha.
At least in the week leading up to races, runners are tethered to their phones hitting refresh on every weather app to find out what to expect.
Why does it matter so much? Obviously because we know weather changes our outfit and could impact our potential PR attempts. But also…well I think this story from Marsha describes so many runners mentality during both training and race day!
“We have 3 group runs a week, and we even take attendance (it’s quite a little competition! lol!), so when someone new comes, they ask things like “do you run year round?” Do you ever cancel? Etc.
And we all just laugh and basically say “we’re like the mail. Rain, snow, sleet, or hail, you can always count on the mail!” We’ve run in rain, storms, snow emergencies, etc. “
Let’s take a look at each of the main weather issues we face and what you need to know to run safely!
Running in bad weather can certainly be a great part of training as it helps you work on your mental toughness, test out gear because you never know what race day will bring…but mostly, let’s be honest, we’re doing it because we know it gives us a little extra bad ass credit among our running peers.
Hell Hath No Fury…like running in heat and humidity
It might not be pleasant, but we rarely skip a race or run just because of the heat. In fact, Erica Finds shares a crazy race day experience that shows exactly how crazy we are:
“I ran a marathon in 91 degree temps in Long Island, NY in 2001. It was so hot that my running partner and I saw several water stops that were not there – mirages!
When I finished that one, I forgot I had a pedicure and screamed when I saw my “bleeding” toe nails.”
What can you do if race day is well above normal temps?
I’ve written a whole post with my top 11 tips after training in Florida for many years, but a few highlights:
- Dunk a hat in water and place it in the freezer over night, pull out at race time
- Carry something cold in your hands, it has the biggest impact on cooling your body
- Slow down!!
- See my favorite summer running gear
Running in the Rain of Cats and Dogs
In 2009, my running partner in Miami set off for L.A. to run her first marathon. At the start line it began to rain…which turned into a massive downpour with sideways winds. Runners push through right?
So she kept plugging along as the water reached her ankles, as hundreds of volunteers failed to show up and no one cancelled the race!
What helps survive the rain? I’ve got a full post on the BEST rain gear and some crazy tips, but here are a few to get you started.
- Wearing a hat to keep it from hitting your face can mentally help
- Less clothing is generally better, so you don’t feel weighed down and cold if there is wind
- Definitely make sure you are VISIBLE with reflective gear
- LUBE those feet like crazy and consider toe socks as that could help prevent chaffing when the skin becomes soft from being wet for so long
Snowmagedon: Crazy Winter Running
Oh sure you’ve probably done a run in the snow at some point, but Ellie’s story from the Syracuse marathon takes the cake {a very frozen cake} and her attitude proves why we run…
“The 50MPH winds enhanced the mix of ice and snow that poured down the entire race creating multiple white-outs. My eyelids froze over multiple times and I really COULD NOT SEE.
This race proved to me that I am tough. I can do hard things and persevere in rough conditions.“
How to handle super cold weather running?
- Start with the right layers! The good gear makes a massive difference in the winter.
- Hat and gloves required to keep as much body heat in as possible {mittens are warmer than finger gloves}
- See my favorite winter running gear which gets me out in Colorado
- Must read tips for running when icy
- Improve Winter Runs with these Tactics >>
Severe Weather: Running in Bad Weather
While living in Miami, I was training for the Honolulu marathon when a tropical storm started to roll in prior to my weekend 18 mile long run.
At first, I was planning to still head out thinking it was just some rain…luckily things like Storm were around to keep me from making a ridiculous mistake! By looking at the app, you can see exactly what direction the rain is moving, rather than just that there is rain on the radar!
That time, I hit the treadmill for 17 miles, which in itself isn’t such a tragedy for me…but this treadmill was facing a rooftop and in a 80 degree gym!
OH well, severe weather is NO LAUGHING matter. It can be very dangerous to be out there in lightning, hail or downpours that quickly turn to flooding and so for all of you who might normally balk at the treadmill, I say it’s time to put on your big boy and girl pants.
Embrace the benefits of the treadmill and get that long run done! This is the one weather condition where I won’t applaud you for going out and making it happen.
More tips to get you out:
Tips for running in the wind >>
Survive Running in the Heat and Humidity >>
No B.S. Truths about Marathon Training >>
While we often joke about the videos of running in bad weather that pop up on TV when a newscaster is out showing the snow or the rain and there goes a runner, your safety really is key. One epic run to prove how tough you are won’t be so great if you end up injured or ill.
What’s your craziest weather run?
Admit it, how often do you check the weather?
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This is great! I didn’t head out this morning because of the impending storms…while they were 50-100 miles away, I didn’t go. My running buddy was about to leave because it wasn’t raining, but I told her to stay in. I check the weather like a hawk because a local woman was killed running in a thunderstorm by a lightning strike…it travels so far that it just isn’t worth the risk!
That app looks great! Living in Vancouver we get a lot of rain – especially in the late fall and winter. I have gotten pretty used to running in rain and severe wind by the ocean! I have yet to run in a snowstorm and highly doubt that I would… Haha.
Thanks for sharing my story! Great post! I’ve been biking a lot this summer, so I’m totally into the wind direction! lol! When we gather for a ride, we look at the flags or our radar so that we head out into the wind and have a nice tailwind on the way back in. I was telling a “casual” cyclist this recently, and he just thought I was brilliant! lol!
that’s awesome! I can’t say I’ve ever done that, but now I’m curious!
Thanks for mentioning me! I’m remembering that race right now and WHOA! Love this post, runners are crazy! My sister actually PRed at this race haha
what?!!! now that is epic
Crazy weather stories are so entertaining – probably because they’re a shared experience for all of us runners. Living in Seattle has given me plenty experience of running in the rain, that’s pretty much any run from November to March.
I think you are so right!! We’re all like umm yup did that, whoops
I admit I am a fair weather runner (pun intended). I have never, and probably would never, run in crazy sleeting freezing blizzard mix like that photo above – that is seriously hardcore! Cold air literally takes my breath away and humidity stifles me. This app might be a problem for me because I would probably never leave my house. LOL!! But I would totally use it simply to check the weather forecast in general!
Oh my gosh, this reminds me of running in downpours in Portland when I was younger. So not fun. This post makes me want to live in Southern California where the running weather is almost always perfect!
I check the weather all the time! LOL. I can only think of one race I didn’t go to because of weather – a 5k when I was visiting my aunt in FL. She lives on the beach and we woke up to pouring rain and decided to pass. Turns on, since the race was further inland, the weather for the race wasn’t as bad as we thought. Oh well!
As much as I hate humidity I hate snow and cold so much more. I don’t mind running in the heat.
I LOVE This!!! I always know what the weather is like on days when I run outside! I especially care about the direction of the wind when it’s cold…so that I can be sure to end my route running with the wind instead of against it! Running the the rain and during thunderstorms is my absolute favorite thing to do!
Perfect timing–here I sit reading blogs instead of going for my morning run. It’s pouring and thundering right now. Dammit. I keep checking the radar to see if it’s going to clear but nooooo! Looks like I’ll be running this afternoon, which I never do. I don’t mind running in the rain but thunder and lightning are a deal breaker.
Crazy weather stories are amazing, because it shows me just how tough runners are and how wise they are when it comes to preparing for the worst situations. Probably the one situation I wouldn’t run in would be a BIG lightning storm. I love running in the rain, but if there is a lot of lightning, I’d rather work out inside. My craziest run was probably running in -1 degree Farenheit with the windiest ‘winds’ that I had ever faced. Thankfully my brother and I were running together, so he was kind of my ‘windbreaker.’ Ellie’s marathon was INSANE, and all of you remind me how runners do not give up!
Epic post. These runners you mentioned are seriously hardcore. Makes me feel bad for postponing my morning run for a little rain this morning. I’ll be sure to get out there in the afternoon, whatever the weather
I seem to have a knack for picking races- even up to several months out- that the weather is going to suck! Heat, cold, rain, sleet, snow, wind. Done it all. I check the weather obsessively- while training but more when a race is coming up- as if I can control it. Had my husband come pick me up one time when rain turned to sleet & snow on a training run and as I was running on the side of the road that day it just didn’t seem safe. My first marathon started in heavy mist & was sleet & then snow w a terrible head wind for the last 8 miles. Even the water station people packed it up. The only reason I kept going was because I knew no one was coming to get me!!
ha!! You have serious grit then and earn extra points for finishing in those conditions!