Pouring rain? Thunder and lightning? Code red air quality? High heat? Freezing cold? Winds that could blow you off the planet?
Which one of these have you raced in?
That’s right, today’s topic for Tuesdays on the Run, is “Worst Race Conditions.” When Patty, April, and I started discussing this topic, I was like “oh, that’s easy.” And then I realized that it wasn’t. Why?
Because I have raced in just about every awful condition except sleet. Yep, not only am I the Queen of Hilly Races, I’m also apparently the Princess of Bad Weather. (To be fair, because I run so many races, I’ve also had some absolutely beautiful races.)
So, here are some of my highlights (lowlights?) in pictures…
My very first race (yeah, I started things off right) the temps dropped the day before and I had to go out and buy tights to run in. All I could find were men’s tights and yes, I still have them and yes, I still wear them. My running “hat” was one of Beer Geek’s winter hats. (Looking back, this really wasn’t that cold, I’d just never run in cold weather before LOL)
My second race was also my first half marathon and it was the first hot day of summer. You can imagine how much I loved that.
You’d think that after that, I’d decide I was done with racing, but luckily, the Marine Corps Marathon had perfect weather, so I knew it could happen…
Since then I’ve had the pleasure of pouring rain…
in Virginia (so hard at times I could barely see)…
in Arkansas (seriously, lightning, thunder, pouring rain, puddles so deep you could almost swim)…
and West Virginia (my shoes didn’t dry out for DAYS)…
I’ve also had awful heat…
in Wisconsin (yes, I did title that post “Running in Hell”)…
in Kentucky…
in Virginia…
and again in Wisconsin (what the heck, WI?)
And I’ve had cold (but really you won’t hear me complain about that…much…)
in Kansas (where I wore just about everything in my suitcase)…
in Virginia (feels like of 12 degrees, yo)…
But I’ve been lucky – I’ve never had a race canceled due to weather or had a DNS or DNF due to weather either. Instead, I’ve just had many opportunities to prove that I’m addicted to running and a bit of a bada$$. Now, tell me about your experiences!
Make sure you join us next week when we talk about gifts for runners! I want to hear what I should put on my wish list!
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I would take the cold rain over the heat any day—as long as I’m prepared for it (like, having the proper gear)!
I think cold weather is better than heat. However, a terribly cold day in Richmond on Saturday was difficult and I need to do more reading on how a runner’s body handles the cold. One thing I did find out is that you dehydrate more easily and you also need more fuel, both surprises.
I’ve been pretty lucky with race day weather but I can’t run in the pouring rain — I can’t see through my glasses! Last week in NYC my glasses stayed foggy long after the fog had lifted!
I’ve been pretty lucky with race conditions overall but have had extreme cold and heat, cold rain, and things like that!
Living in the Midwest brings any and all conditions, and you really can’t predict what’s coming! I would say I prefer to run in the cold over hot but after this morning’s run…I don’t know which is worse!
Never bailed but was tempted during 2 rainy cold halfs.
Wow, you’ve experienced a lot of extreme weather! I think the extreme heat is the worst, there’s no escape!
My second year of running was in pouring rain. And I still ran and PRed, but it was only a 5k. Every little thing was exciting then! I’m not sure if would go run a 5k in pouring rain now.
i’ve run in rain, heat and cold and my least favorite is heat. it just takes it out of you! rain is a close second – wet feet always sucks! 🙂
Absolute worst for me to deal with is heat. But I’ve had so many challenging races I find them comical now.
My worst race conditions wasn’t technically during a “race”, it was during a GORUCK event. Not only was it cold, windy, and rainy, but they made us get in and out of the ocean a few times. It took me days to stop shivering!
OK, I’m cold just reading that…
I lived in NoVa for 4 years, so I am familiar with the unpredictable conditions! I am laughing. All of these races make you that much more of a bad ass– seriously, I bow down. Now I live in the bubble called SoCal and to be honest, the weather is utterly boring. Hot and warm with a high chance of hills, dust and rattle snakes.
Wow ! You have really raced in all conditions. Marine Corp was beautiful weather this year. Vegas, this past weekend, not so much.
I don’t think I have had necessarily bad race conditions other than bright sun b/c I am used to running in the dark.
Oh I’ll definitely take extreme cold over extreme heat. I can always layer on more clothes but it’s really hard to stay cool when it’s scorching out. Great topic this week!
my first ever Cherry Blossom and first run over 8 miles it was pouring buckets and 40 degrees. Shoes filled with water and blisters everywhere but somehow loved it and kept coming back.
Believe it or not, I have been blessed with great running conditions. The only questionable weather was at Jingle All the Way 8K last year when there were flurries!!! Not a bad track record, but I”m sure I’m setting myself up 🙂
Snow storm in May. Started out cold and snowy, ended warm and slushy. It was awful.
Like you I feel pretty lucky that I haven’t had a DNF or a DNS due to weather. I was pretty close to a DNF though! At a half marathon last year I slipped on ice and hit my head (luckily not badly). It was cold, my phone was dying, the race wasn’t fun anymore and I wanted to be done so badly. I was near a train station where I could have called it quits and taken a train back to the start/finish. The only reason why I didn’t was because I had no money and I didn’t want to ride the train without paying the fare!
Man, you are hardcore!
What’s up with the heat in Wisconsin? I figured that would be your coldest race spot! There is a nice bit of tough bad-@ssness that comes from running in tough conditions!
Nah, Wisconsin has some super hot days. It’s just that their season is much shorter, so you really only have super hot in July or August.
I will run in pretty much any conditions except ice. Icy sidewalks and streets I won’t risk.
that is HERE HERE HERE TODAY
and the doodle is begging to go out 😉
My first half marathon was in record breaking rains. Ha! I didn’t mind during the race, but did end up with slight hypothermia afterwards. It was definitely a learning experience. 🙂
Yes! Must get changed immediately after things like that!
I’ve pretty much run in everything except lightning. I don’t think I would handle that very well.
I did a mother’s day cancer walk a few years back and they had to cancel half way through the event. It was raining hard and blow which seemed like the rain was cutting your skin.
I volunteered at a charity race where people started opting not to do a chunk of “out and back” because the rain was so heavy and so cold. It’s not fun to run in, but it sucks to stand still in.