Published October 28, 2009 09:44PM
I have several friends racing in this weekend’s ING New York City Marathon, so I couldn’t help
but notice that the weather in New York at the moment is dreadfully rainy and cold.
However, a quick check of weather.com shows the skies mostly clearing over the
next few days, with Sunday’s forecast calling for only a few showers and a high
of 55 degrees. This is arguably what many runners would call perfect marathon
weather!
But what kind of weather do you like best for running? I went for a short run early yesterday
morning in the Bay Area, and it was downright blustery. On the way out, I had
the wind at my back and I felt superhuman. On the return, I had to pump my arms
hard and drive my body forward with every stride just to move the slightest
bit! As much as it’s a struggle to run on days like that, I do enjoy the reward
of how tough I feel once I finish.
I really will run in just about any conditions – sun, rain, wind and even snow. But I think if I
had to pick a favorite, I’d go for the type of heat and humidity I’ve
experienced while running in Hawaii and Mexico. In
tropical climates, I sweat so much that I almost feel like an entirely new
person by the time I’ve finished, my body’s fluids completely flushed and
replaced by a huge volume of electrolyte drink and water.
What are some of your favorite – or most feared – conditions for running, and why? Do you have
any stories about particularly wild weather adventures? I’d love to hear them
in the comments section below.
– Holly Bennett