The Running Thread - 2016

[Baloo in MI]

QOTD: Some much colder weather is forecasted to make a run into the deep south in the coming days. What type of gear do you use to stay warm on those colder than normal days?

ATTQOTD: I am scheduled for 16 miles on Friday due to DW work schedule. The low that morning is ~30 with a high of 48 plus a north wind of 10-15 mph. So maybe the low isn't that cold, but not getting above 50 is very unusual for our area. For a run like this I will have a pair of those cheap cotton gloves you get a expos, a beanie, and a long sleeve shirt for the run. I don't own a pair of running pants, and I think after a few miles my legs will get warm. I may bring some hand warmers as well to put inside my gloves if it looks like I may be really cold...


Ran the Baton Rouge Beach Half Marathon this Saturday with a unofficial time of 1:55:07. It's not anywhere near a PR for me, but having missed ~3 weeks of training, I am pleased with the effort. Ran the entire time and kept a steady pace, plus sub two hours. The weather made it interesting, it was around 50 ish, with a gusty winds and a light rain for most of the race. Help kept me cool for the race, but after the race I got cold fast and had a mile walk back to my car. It was a long, cold, rainy mile... Glad I brought extra clothes to change into in post race.

Two years ago my treadmill died (again). When it did it was out of warranty and the third time it died. I didn't/don't want to buy another and the costs to fix it by a private contractor is simply too much. So I spend the winter running in the outdoors. It gets real cold here so I tend to adjust to the cold but still need to dress for the weather. Thick socks, running tights, running pants or long shorts (as long as it is snowing). I find that in dry cold at about 20 or above I can still run in long shorts as long as I wear long sleeves, vest, gloves and snow cap. But below 20 or when the snow hits it has to be running tights/pants. I also add a fleece jacket when it gets really cold. I always feel the cold, but do run warm and find that it is managable. In reality I prefer really cold weather to really warm weather.

 

[FFigawi]

I think a book could be written about the post you made here to agree / disagree with your statements, and a compelling argument could be made for both sides.

I'm not so sure a compelling argument can be made against much of what @Ariel484 wrote. There really is no other way to learn to run in the rain or the cold than by running in the rain or the cold. Like with fueling and nutrition, you need to experience varying weather conditions in order to experiment and find out what works for you to get you through them. If the first time you ever run in a downpour is on race day, you're likely to be in for a long day because you probably won't be mentally ready for it. If you've run in the rain in training, you'll know you can handle it and how you need to handle it, giving you a much more positive outlook. Same holds true for the heat, the cold, the wind, concrete (much different than asphalt), trails, etc. The more well-rounded you are in various conditions, the better off you'll be to tackle whatever race day has in store for you.

 

[Anisum]

QOTD: Some much colder weather is forecasted to make a run into the deep south in the coming days. What type of gear do you use to stay warm on those colder than normal days?

1/4 Zip Tech Pullovers or Long Sleeve Tech Shirts, a Light Running Jacket or vest as necessary, leggings for various temperatures (regular tech leggings or the sort with that thin fleecy layer of insulation), asics quick lyte cushion (or as I call them winter socks), a headband or hat, and gaiter as necessary. All my sleeves on my running shirts are long and have thumb holes so I usually spend the first mile or two with my hands entirely in my sleeves.

I will say my only addition to the extremely accurate post @Ariel484 wrote is that there are rare conditions where no matter how much you run outside you may not be prepared. For example I'm not sure that short of training in a very snowy place you can be prepared for a destination race in say Antarctica but that doesn't mean that you wouldn't try to simulate conditions as best you could. It should (at least in my opinion) be the same for races, especially those that are expensive like Disney. You paid a lot for the race, you don't want to have to tap out early because you didn't even make an effort to prepare for those conditions.

 

[LSUlakes]

QOTD: Keeping our focus on weather again today. How far out do you start to look at the weather forecast for a upcoming race? Which sites do you use for the long range models and as race day approaches, do you use a different source?

ATTQOTD: I have found that the long range forecast to be unreliable at best. Having said that, watching storm systems come and go is a hobby of mine. I will say I still have much to learn to fully understand them. I use accuweather for long range forecast and just monitor changes. I usually start checking it 4-5 weeks. At around 7 days to race day I will check out accuweather, the weatherchannel, and a local weather station. Still at 7 days things can change, and usually do. If traveling for a race I will hold off as long as possible to decide which items to bring based on weather conditions, which for the races I have travelled for in the past is around 72 hours. It can be frustrating watching it at times, but for me its all part of the process and excitement of race day approaching.

 

[LSUlakes]

I'm not so sure a compelling argument can be made against much of what @Ariel484 wrote. There really is no other way to learn to run in the rain or the cold than by running in the rain or the cold. Like with fueling and nutrition, you need to experience varying weather conditions in order to experiment and find out what works for you to get you through them. If the first time you ever run in a downpour is on race day, you're likely to be in for a long day because you probably won't be mentally ready for it. If you've run in the rain in training, you'll know you can handle it and how you need to handle it, giving you a much more positive outlook. Same holds true for the heat, the cold, the wind, concrete (much different than asphalt), trails, etc. The more well-rounded you are in various conditions, the better off you'll be to tackle whatever race day has in store for you.

While you are correct that the only way to learn what it is like is to go out and do it. I don't disagree with that, but I think that once you've done it a handful of times the need to repeat it aren't necessary. In much of the same way it isn't necessary to run 26.2 miles in training before running 26.2 mile race. If you are training for a southern marathon while living up north in colder temps and race day could be warm, it takes a few days for the body to adjust. So running on a TM where we can control the temp would be beneficial in preparing you for a warm race instead of running outdoors in much cooler temps for the last few runs during the taper. I think its much easier to go from running in warmer weather and then running a race where its cold, as opposed to cold to warm.

 

[Barca33Runner]

QOTD: Keeping our focus on weather again today. How far out do you start to look at the weather forecast for a upcoming race? Which sites do you use for the long range models and as race day approaches, do you use a different source?

If it's anything beyond a five-day forecast I take it with a grain of salt. As such, every Marathon Weekend I am packed and prepared for anything. I pick an outfit the night before I race based on the prospective forecast at that point.

I can't control the weather so I don't obsess over it.

 

[Miranda]

I had never run in the rain before this year, but then it poured at 2 of my 3 half marathons this past spring! It was definitely kind of a shock at the first one, but I soldiered through and learned some things like my ears will fill up with water and then my earbuds won't stay in when I am out in the rain for ~4+ hours. It was a point-to-point race at the first one and we were bussed up to the start almost 1.5 hour before and it started raining shortly after we got up there. I did manage to find a spot to stand under at the banana and bagel distribution tent so I didn't get wet until the race started, but then I ran a 2:50, plus time in the finishing area, plus a 0.5+ mile walk back to the parking area. It was a loooooong day.

 

[Miranda]

ATTQOTD: I check Wunderground frequently leading up to the race, especially the hourly forecast. Also locally there's a runner meteorologist that has a Facebook page where he would do race day forecasts for the weekends, although he hasn't really done any since this spring/summer.

 

[Dis5150]

ATTQOTD: Yeah, even though I know it is pointless, I check weeks in advance. Accuweather monthly forecast. I do find it interesting to watch how the forecast changes from day to day. I also just count it as part of my "getting ready" for the race. People can tell me that it will change and I am wasting my time, especially with Florida races, until they are blue in the face - I will continue to do it. I think it is an obsession of mine. But I am also not one to get on a Facebook group or on a board here to obsess about it. I know it will change, checking it is just something I do. As the race gets closer I watch Accuweather and Weather Channel and compare them for packing purposes, although I usually just bring everything I own running wise, lol! I WAS a girl scout after all. Gotta be prepared.

 

[FFigawi]

QOTD: Keeping our focus on weather again today. How far out do you start to look at the weather forecast for a upcoming race? Which sites do you use for the long range models and as race day approaches, do you use a different source?

I look about 2 weeks out (always on Weather Underground) because I'm usually flying back that far in advance & need a rough idea of what to bring with me. The forecast is nowhere near accurate, but it generally is close enough on the range of temperatures for me to load up my suitcase. Not that my packing list changes much. I bring gear for almost all weather conditions reasonably expected.

 

[camaker]

QOTD: Keeping our focus on weather again today. How far out do you start to look at the weather forecast for a upcoming race? Which sites do you use for the long range models and as race day approaches, do you use a different source?

I typically won't start checking the actual forecast until the week before the race. Anything beyond a 5-7 day forecast and you might as well be trying to read tea leaves. If I'm traveling somewhere, I may check Weather Underground for typical and extreme conditions at the race location on that date so that I can do some baseline planning. When packing I rely mostly on a combination of the extended forecast and the historical data, while packing some contingency items for extremes that are possible but not forecast. On site I rely mostly on the AccuWeather app. I like the hour by hour temp, real feel and precipitation probabilities that it provides. The hourly forecast can be invaluable. I don't care if it's going to rain later in the day, but if the forecast rain is at race start it impacts preparation.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

I check as far in advance as I can even though I know the forecast will change. There's not much I can do to control the weather , but I at least want to be informed!

 

[cburnett11]

ATTQOTD: Yeah, even though I know it is pointless, I check weeks in advance. Accuweather monthly forecast. I do find it interesting to watch how the forecast changes from day to day. I also just count it as part of my "getting ready" for the race. People can tell me that it will change and I am wasting my time, especially with Florida races, until they are blue in the face - I will continue to do it. I think it is an obsession of mine. But I am also not one to get on a Facebook group or on a board here to obsess about it. I know it will change, checking it is just something I do. As the race gets closer I watch Accuweather and Weather Channel and compare them for packing purposes, although I usually just bring everything I own running wise, lol! I WAS a girl scout after all. Gotta be prepared.

I agree with this entire post with the exception that I was NEVER a girl scout.

 

[camaker]

I check as far in advance as I can even though I know the forecast will change. There's not much I can do to control the weather , but I at least want to be informed!

"Not much" is way more than most of us can do to control the weather!! What's your secret?

 

[RunDisneyDad]

ATTQOTD: Out of curiosity I will start checking as soon as any forecasts become available (usually 30 days) and then will routinely check as he race gets closer. At this point the only thing I've learned is the forecast will change a bunch. I like Weather Underground and also like to dig around the aviation forecast websites as well.

 

[Ariel484]

One bright side to my injury, I will probably avoid most of the cold weather runs this year. I will be stuck on the treadmill for January at least and if the roads are bad I am not risking any injury running on snow and ice covered roads. But, I hate the treadmill so that could change.

I was out due to a freak injury early this year (January/February) and had the same thought! Glass half-full, right?

Oh, the Princess medals were revealed today. They are different than years past. It is encouraging that they seem to paying more attention to medal design the last few races. Did anyone else see them and have an opinion?

I think I'm in the minority, but I really like them. I think the Enchanted Rose is a perfect representation of Beauty and the Beast, and I like that the 10K medal is more detailed than past years. The 5K medal is adorable. The GSC is fine, about what I expected, through they surprised me with the spinner.

I'm in the minority because I am not a tiara type of gal, so I'm pretty happy that they changed the half medal. I know some are disappointed not to get the tiara.

QOTD: Keeping our focus on weather again today. How far out do you start to look at the weather forecast for a upcoming race? Which sites do you use for the long range models and as race day approaches, do you use a different source?

Whenever it shows up on the 15-day forecast, but I HATE obsessing over race weather so I try not to think about it too much.

 

[opusone]

QOTD: Keeping our focus on weather again today. How far out do you start to look at the weather forecast for a upcoming race? Which sites do you use for the long range models and as race day approaches, do you use a different source?

Like @Barca33Runner, I do not obsess over the race day weather since I will likely run the race regardless of the weather. That being said, I do pay attention so that I can mentally prepare for the conditions. I usually first look when I'm between one and two weeks away (basically, whenever I first remember to check it). At that point, I really don't put much worth in it (especially regarding precipitation), but it gives me an idea of higher or lower than average temperature. Then, I start to really pay attention about three days out. At this point, I feel the hourly predictions are starting to hone in on the actual.

As far as sources, I have three main sources:
Accuweather (website and app): for long-range forecast as well as hourly precipitation forecast when we are getting close
Weather Channel (app): for short-range hourly forecast of temperatures (their hourly precipitation forecast doesn't seem very accurate to me)
WeatherRadio (app): for current radar (shows all watch/warning regions and is less sensitive that the Weather Channel radar). To clarify "less sensitive," the Weather Channel app radar sometimes shows precipitation that doesn't exist (or does not make it to the ground), but when the WeatherRadio app shows precipitation, you know it's real.

 

[JeffW]

QOTD: Keeping our focus on weather again today. How far out do you start to look at the weather forecast for a upcoming race? Which sites do you use for the long range models and as race day approaches, do you use a different source?

I usually start paying attention a week out, although for a few "destination" races I've done, we left home multiple weeks before the race so I had to use longer range forecasts. As for the sites, I use Accuweather+WeatherBug+Weather Underground because I'm kind of a weather nerd. I really like using the localized weather stations in WeatherBug and Wunderground, and then contrasting with the Accuweather forecast. Just like "real" meteorology, it is all about comparing the various computer models and seeing which ones start to agree with one another

 

[rteetz]

QOTD: Keeping our focus on weather again today. How far out do you start to look at the weather forecast for a upcoming race? Which sites do you use for the long range models and as race day approaches, do you use a different source?

Considering my big races are WDW weekend I won't start really looking until a week before. Its just too uncertain before that and anything is possible in Florida in January. I like Accuweather though. I will also look at NOAA the government weather service.

 

[JulieODC]

QOTD: For a big race, I will probably look at the weather a week or more in advance (esp if it requires travel and packing), but won't take it seriously until a day or 2 before!