Long Term Weather Forecast

[cewait]

For race days, the weather at the start should be around 50F (and dark). The finish temp for the half around 60F and 70F for the end of the full. Humidity 90-100% at the start. IT's the dry season but always a chance of showers.










OK Joshing a little here. These are the average temps for MCO in early January. For some this will look like a great reprieve from the blustery winter days. While for some like me who ran through the cool part of the day last Sunday at a summer-like morning at 72F; it is the 6 week period we dream of all summer. For those training on a treadmill, look to mirror these conditions as you came into the race.

On race day, one should dress warm enough to stand around for a couple hours, but once in the corrals, you should feel cool to almost cold.

Happy Thanksgiving..

 

[papaof3]

For race days, the weather at the start should be around 50F (and dark). The finish temp for the half around 60F and 70F for the end of the full. Humidity 90-100% at the start. IT's the dry season but always a chance of showers.










OK Joshing a little here. These are the average temps for MCO in early January. For some this will look like a great reprieve from the blustery winter days. While for some like me who ran through the cool part of the day last Sunday at a summer-like morning at 72F; it is the 6 week period we dream of all summer. For those training on a treadmill, look to mirror these conditions as you came into the race.

On race day, one should dress warm enough to stand around for a couple hours, but once in the corrals, you should feel cool to almost cold.

Happy Thanksgiving..

Sounds about right

I look forward to your weather updates and am hoping for colder than average weather to slow down everyone from the south!

 

[El&Asmom]

We have been lucky in Chicago so far. (totally just jinxed myself).

Haven't run in less than 30 degree weather. Anything above 30 and dry will be fine with me on race day.

I'll be watching the forecast like a hawk in the weeks before the race though.

 

[paxsarah]

For race days, the weather at the start should be around 50F (and dark). The finish temp for the half around 60F and 70F for the end of the full. Humidity 90-100% at the start. IT's the dry season but always a chance of showers.

I'm visiting my parents this weekend and ran a 5K in Ocala and I'll tell you the weather today was almost exactly as you described (maybe slightly less humid, and it warmed up a bit slower) and it was perfect! I would love if race weather would just stick to the bleeping averages, lol.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Always thinking I should be able to leave behind my winter running things. Never do though.

 

[buckeyecinderella]

Thank you for the weather forecast, Coach. And a belated welcome back!

My biggest concern is rain. I still need to get a shell and some Gore-Tex shoes. If I load up on rain gear it will be dry, right?

 

[RunRookie]

Okay, I have a noob question:

What is a 'shell' garment? There are soft-shell and I guess hard-shell varieties. Is this just a fancy way of saying a water resistent jacket? I see jackets that say they are water-resistant that don't call themselves a 'shell' so I am curious why the designation and if it matters (or if it is just a marketing term)?

 

[cewait]

Okay, I have a noob question:

What is a 'shell' garment? There are soft-shell and I guess hard-shell varieties. Is this just a fancy way of saying a water resistent jacket? I see jackets that say they are water-resistant that don't call themselves a 'shell' so I am curious why the designation and if it matters (or if it is just a marketing term)?

I actual think in terms of wind shell that may be water resistant. In addition to the many wind shells and water jackets one sees i a running store... There are two really cheap solutions to a cold & windy or rain forecast:

Trash bags - Simply poke a hole in the bottom and slide over the head. Most folks can then figure out where the two arm holes should go. The large bags will cover down through mid thigh.

Sheddable Shells http://sheddableshell.com/ Tyvek painters suits with perforated long seams allowing for the easy removal at the start or some where into the race.

Note that a running store solution will actually try to breath and keep you dryer than these two cheaper solutions. I would not go too far in these throw away solutions. They do not breath well and you will eventually get drenched from perspiration as if you were in a 105F sauna. I would use these things for standing around the staging area and then the walk to the start. At the start, I would shed them. Within a mile you will be warm.

Note to folks who do shed throw away stuff - please take them and put them over the edge of the fence. Seems like every year folks have to negotiate around several dozen trash bags as we begin to run.

 

[buckeyecinderella]

Those are good ideas, Coach, about the garbage bags and sheadable
shells. Here is what I am looking for in a shell to wear during the race if needed: Light weight, no lining (so I can layer underneath, if needed) with venting in the back, sides, etc. that will also protect me from wind and rain. I borrowed my husband's cycling shell for a 5 mile race and 40° temperatures and light rain. I was quite comfortable. It made the difference between having a pleasant race or being miserable!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

This year, I ran a half in 14 degrees and a half in 78. Bring it on Disney.

 

[cewait]

OK....


Accuweather stuck their necks out and flipped a winter forecast out for the US. According to our friends in Happy Valley, we can expect a warmer January in Orlando... Warmer and dry.

Based on that, and the fact that it has been 4 years since the last warm race.... Then you might expect a race a little warmer that the 2011 ---- and much warmer than 2010.