Embrace The Weather
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There’s a huge discussion among runners about the weather on race day. And it’s no minor thing. If you’re running a marathon, it’s very likely you’ve trained for months and run hundreds of miles for that special day; you don’t want the weather to ruin your moment.
But weather isn’t just a race-day condition. We complain about heat and humidity during summer, wishing for cooler days; then we complain in winter about cold, snowy days, wishing for warmth. We’re never satisfied.
In fact, weather might be the best excuse not to run. Yes, we’re runners and we enjoy it—yet we also find excuses to skip workouts. And the weather never disappoints. Even if you go out and don't perform as expected, you can still blame it: I didn’t beat my best time because it was too humid; I didn’t feel my feet because of the cold…
Of course, weather is subjective. What feels hot to you might be mildly warm to someone else—I’ve been there, complaining about a “hot” spring day in Nashville to someone who trains year-round in Alabama. You might enjoy, like me, running in the snow. Meanwhile, there’s no way you’ll convince another person to even step outside when the snowflakes start falling.
Now, I’m not saying you should run in every condition. Don’t take this post as advice to go for a run no matter what. There are obviously dangerous conditions you should avoid—floods, tornadoes, thunderstorms, hurricanes, wildfires, volcanic eruptions—you get the idea.
But here’s the lesson I’ve learned from running year-round, in all kinds of weather, and the advice I share this time:
Worry about the things you can control, and plan for the things you can’t.
When you run, you control the time and length of your training, the workouts, the clothes and shoes you wear, the route you follow, your hydration, fueling strategy, pace… and so on. But you definitely can’t control the weather.
Then, if you can’t change it, should you wait until it changes to your liking? It’s an option—but not a great one. Waiting for a cool day in the summer or a warm one in the winter could mean you don’t run at all.
So, no—don’t let the weather rule your training. Embrace it, and plan for it.
Having a strategy will make your runs enjoyable, or at least bearable.
If you live in Texas and try running at 2p.m. in the summer, you might end up in the hospital. Instead, wake up early (or stay up late) and run before sunrise. Hydrate well—including electrolytes, not just water. Wear breathable clothes and light shoes. You didn’t change the weather, but you prepared for it… and completed your run.
The same applies in winter. Don’t start your run when it’s dark and freezing. Instead, run around midday, where there is more sunlight and, hopefully, less cold. Dress in layers, cover exposed skin, wear sunglasses if there’s snow on the ground and clear sky, and hydrate and fuel properly. Be careful—cold weather can make you forget to hydrate, but you definitely need it.
As you can see, having a strategy for the things you can’t control, like the weather, can help you thrive and enjoy the task at hand.
And the same applies in life:
There are things we can control, and others we can’t. So be prepared, have your strategy, and embrace what comes. Then, you’ll succeed.