Ok, maybe running doesn’t suck. Running in Virginia in the summer sucks. Yeah, that’s more accurate.
After a June of lots of rain and lower than average temps, suddenly summer has arrived in Virginia. Highs in the high 80s, low 90s. Humidity at 80-90%. Dew Points higher than 70*.
It’s like running in soup.
I don’t run well in soup. I have difficulty breathing. I can’t cool down. My heart rate sky rockets. (And, yes, all of this is normal, according to Runners World).
So, how am I surviving it? (My usual answer would be the treadmill, but mine needs repair. Boo.)
- Running slower – I’ve been leaving Garmin at home so I don’t feel bad about how slow I am.
- Running shorter – 30-45 minutes is max these days
- Taking walk breaks – I pretty much have to with the hills around my house
- Running earlier – I ran at 11:00am on Saturday. It was a feels like of 96* with a high dewpoint. I plan to avoid doing that again.
- Carrying nuun, even on short runs – yes, even on a 30 minute run.
- Not running – I admit this is often the answer for me. I’ve been focusing on cross training with weights and workouts on the stationary bike. Running will still be there when the humidity goes down.
This weather is nothing new. It happens every summer. I don’t have to like it, but I have learned to live with it.
I feel you! This Virginia heat is killing me and killing me sleep! I’ve got to be out the door by 5am to even tolerate it!!
LOL, I am working on a similar post for tomorrow. Mind if I link back to this one? I see posts from others running in much higher temps, but much lower humidity. Glad to see the data showing that it is the humidity that makes it so oppressive!
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I’m glad to see that RW article. I live in Atlanta and, after a year of not much running due to chronic injury, I am finally able to start building up my mileage again. However, running in the humidity is pretty demoralizing. I’ve been crosstraining (spin, bodypump) like crazy and I was beginning to think that in spite of that my fitness had really declined. It hasn’t even been terribly hot here, but we’ve had a lot of rain so the humidity has been terrible every day. Even at 7am, my runs are a struggle. It’s nice to see that I’m probably not as out of shape as I think!
I don’t even live in VA and the heat/humidity has been ridiculous this summer so far! I’m glad you have found ways to adjust and make it work for you. Your cross training is totally paying off, congrats!
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I agree, running in the heat and humidity is the worst. We’ve had an unseasonably mild summer in Ohio and the temps at 6:00 a.m. or so when I like to run (during the week at least!) have been pretty nice. On vacation in Michigan this past week, it was pure bliss!
Kim @ Fabulous Fit Foodie recently posted…Reasons Why Running is Awesome
We’ve been so lucky here this year! We had a very very cool Spring and we’ve really only had a few weeks of hot miserable weather. Normally in Kansas City come late May early June you can’t stand to be outside. We’ve had some of those days where it’s already in the 80s at 5 am with humidity of 85%+ but we got a cool front last week. I managed 2 races last week where it was only in the mid 60s! Humidity is still there, so they still aren’t perfect, but for July you can’t beat it. It’s back to hot, hot this week though.
Stay cool!
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And, that is exactly why I hit the treadmill for my 6 miles this morning – too much humidity!!!
I’ve got 5 hours scheduled for Saturday and I’m pretty sure I will be indoors if I hope to finish it actually running.
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I’ve been carrying water/nuun and I never do. Even in Vermont running has been sucking!
Andrea recently posted…Glass Half Full or Half Empty
I know it’s not as bad here in Oregon….but it is still weird to think about taking water on shorter runs. But, gotta do it! We had a heavenly 52 degrees at 6am this morning. So nice.
Kim @ (Just) Trying recently posted…Applause and a Non Running Workout Trifecta
I’ve decided that summer running sucks. PRetty much everywhere.
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It’s funny..I was just thinking of you the other day in the humidity and remembering how much you hate it! It is tough, no doubt. I’ve been doing low HR training all summer and last week was probably my most challenging week. Sept. will be here before you know it.
misszippy recently posted…#Favorite run
Running in summer is horrible. That’s why I’m loving running at the moment. I wish winter would never end.
Char recently posted…Ninth.
It never really occurred to me until I started my season with the Broad Street 10-miler on May 1st. It was SOOO gorgeous outside, and it really put a pep in my step… no wonder I hated running before! I only trained in the summer before the last two years!!
[But I really hate running in 40 degree weather…or should I say, my lungs do…]
Hang in there!!
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