We've experience some unexpected weather throughout the years.
When we ran Las Vegas a few years back, I expected to have a pleasantly warm run through the desert among some palm trees. Instead, I will remember this as the coldest race I've ever run. Turns out they were having an unexpected freeze at that time.
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| A very bundled up Snow White and Pocahontas |
Another unexpected cold race was in Florida. That is the LAST place I would have expected to be running one of my coldest races. Turns out the theme of the race was "Frozen". Proof that Mother Nature has a very good sense of humor.
The wettest race I've ever run was The 2016 April Fools race in Atlantic City. This was the first time I've ever run an entire race in the rain. I love this race and running the entire thing on the boardwalk so the rain didn't really bother me while I was running, but it spoiled the post race party because the rain was pretty cold once we were standing still.
The hottest, most humid race hands down is our local 4th of July race. I will complain about how hot and humid this race is every year but truth be told, I look forward to it and will probably run it again this year. I now know that it's not one to be "raced".
What extreme race weather have you experienced?
Be sure to check out the Friday 5 Topics for March and stay tuned for April as we have some surprises in store for those who link up!
I usually avoid running outside in really extreme weather, but Ive definitely run in the heat, snow, sleet, and rain, and wind. I think one of the toughest races for me was the Houston marathon when it was freezing and raining the whole time. The worst was getting back to the hotel after the race soaking wet and freezing cold!
ReplyDeleteI think sleet would be the hardest to run in.
DeleteYou've probably heard me mention the Dam to Dam race...I think it was my 2nd or 3rd time running it, but it was raining as we drove the hour to get there, raining at the start line, and rained all the way until about the 9-mile mark. But, it still, to this day, is my favorite race every year. I'm just thankful all that rain happened on a warm summer day and not in the early spring or late fall or it would have really been miserable.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes that race your favorite?
DeleteLiving in the Midwest, we experience the most extremes of weather--sometimes all in one day! The most memorable was the Lakefront 10 miler I ran a few years ago. We started the race in the upper 60s and shorts/tanks--but when we finished, the wind had turned off of Lake Michigan and the temperatures plunged into the 40s with clouds and sprinkles.
ReplyDeleteDid the cooler temps actually feel good after running many miles in the heat?
DeleteI remember that day! That's when we met! And yes I was so cold after the race and couldn't wait to get home.
DeleteYou never know what kind of weather you will get on race day. That is one of the reasons why I am ok with doing training runs outside in the rain or wind to practice all types of conditions
ReplyDeleteYou are right, that's why I don't mind running in the rain!
DeleteI did Vegas in 2011. Still my coldest half (although not my coldest race by far) on record, although Wineglass was a close second. ZOOMA Annapolis was probably my hottest humid race -- Craft Classic Phoenix was my hottest dry race (and like 30 minutes faster than ZOOMA).
ReplyDeleteI've definitely run in the snow, only a handful of times in ice (with something on those running shoes!), and through thunderstorms (not intentionally) several times. Thankfully, never ran in a tornado!
Everyone says should good things about the NJ April Fool's Half, and I haven't done NJ yet, but damn, weather is such a crapshoot at that time of year. I can tell you for sure I'm not doing it this year!
I've been doing the April Fools for 5 years now and that year it rained was the only time the weather was "uncooperative"! I do remember reading that Wine Glass was pretty cold!
DeleteThat is some crazy running weather! I don't mind running in the heat but when it dips below 50 degrees (yeah Im a whimp) I stay on the treadmill.
ReplyDeleteWe could never run together! 35 - 50 is my fave running temp. Heat is not for me!
DeleteI don't mind running between 35-50 but don't run under 30 degrees. It's a good thing we don't see those temps often!
DeleteI ran Boston in 2004 (start 85 degrees), Boston in 2007 in a Nor'easter and the "hot Chicago" in 2007. Ugh, ugh and ugh! I remember running a race so rainy in Central Park that my contacts got washed out and the pictures were practically X rated! I ran a few that had some lightning and other elements and low, low temps (but not in FL or Vegas ;)) Oh the memories!
ReplyDeleteYea, Florida and Vegas are the last places I expected to have my coldest races!
DeleteRace weather can definitely be crazy! I think the rainiest race I had was RnR DC one year. And my coldest race was RnR DC last year. I guess March can be a challenging time of year around here.
ReplyDeleteI remember a few years RnR DC had not so good weather!
DeleteFunny you should ask since we having a blizzard as I type.
ReplyDeleteI have run a half in monsoon rain (Philly), sleet and freezing rain (LG), and in extreme heat (VCM) when the race was actualy cancelled.
I have never had to run in sleet and freezing rain...knock on wood!
DeleteWeather truly is crazy and anything can happen. Chicago '07 was my first marathon. It climbed to 93 degrees with 90% humidity. Ugh. I ran MCM in 2012 and evacuated immediately at the finish line as Hurricane Sandy bore down. 30mph headwinds gusting to 60 mph at NYCM 2014. I've run in torrential rain, severe thunderstorms when there's absolutely nowhere to take cover. Sleet, ice, snow...oh the stories I can tell! Haha!
ReplyDeleteAlmost every other race in Disney yielded 90 percent humidity...lol. I also ran a race during Hurricane Sandy!
DeleteSo funny you just posted this today because I'm a teacher and schools and the government are closed because of a crazy wind storm. You've definitely ran through some crazy weather, I usually don't like even running in the rain.
ReplyDeleteThat's nice to have a day off! It was pretty windy here too but we had school!
DeleteI've been lucky and haven't run in extreme weather. I did run in very humid weather in Florida for WDW 2014, and my fingers swelled up. I knew I needed salt, so I ate all the contents of the Disney box.
ReplyDeleteYes, Disney races are usually very humid. I think that "Frozen" race was certainly an exception (except for this year I heard marathon weekend was pretty cold).
DeleteI'm running the Shamrock Marathon in a few weeks and I hope the weather is okay, lol!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have great weather!
DeleteI remember training last year for the HM when it was snowing & nearly zero degrees. & my treadmill broke. I cant believe I went out to the park & ran in it. ... though I do think running in rain made me colder
ReplyDeleteWHAT??? You ran in 0 degrees?
DeleteI will never forget when I ran the St. Pat's Double (5k followed by 10k) back in March 2015. It sleeted during the race. Never again do I want to run in sleet. It hurts when the pellets hit your face and it makes the course so slippery!
ReplyDeleteO gosh, I can imagine how irritating that would be. Good for you for not giving up!
DeleteLast year during the Harrisburg Mile, we got torrential rain right before our heat was about to run. We got soaked and the rain wasn’t stopping, so we took off running, We just wanted to get it done by then.
ReplyDeleteGood thing it was only a mile!
DeleteGeez, a tornado warning!! You girls really have run in all sorts of crazy weather! A cold rain is my least favorite to run in and will avoid it like the plague! But ..you're right, you never know what race day will bring so you just have to embrace the suck and hit the road! :)
ReplyDeleteThat is so true! You might as well practice in all sorts of weather!
DeleteYou’re right about March weather - it really is unpredictable! I remember when you ran in that tornado warning! Glad you heard it and you were safe!
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty eerie but it was kind of neat being out there running!
DeleteOh my gosh, I don't think I run in extreme weather! I have a rule not to run when the weather is dangerous. However, I think I run in much colder weather than most people do. But I make sure I don't venture more than a mile from my house as to play it safe.
ReplyDeleteThis morning there was a wind advisory- 60mph gusts! It was a rest day for me though because I'm running a race tomorrow. I'm not RACING it, but it is 20 miles.
I agree, you do run in much colder weather than I do. I don't know how you do it!
DeleteMostly my extreme weather has just been heat, but I have had a few heavy rain runs that feel make me feel like a total badass for finishing them!
ReplyDeleteYes you are!
DeleteMy extreme weather is heat and humidity, but i have been caught out in a few heavy downpours.
ReplyDeleteWhen the weather is so hot and humid a good rain can feel good once in a while!
DeleteI've gotten pretty lucky in races... but I did run this year's Turkey Trot in the rain/mist... but it actually was kind of fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it made it memorable if nothing else!
DeleteI ran RnR Nashville in the rain. All 13.1 miles. It was horrible. And I chafed in the thighs so bad too.
ReplyDelete