Friday, June 13, 2014

Friday Five: 5 Reasons Running in Summer Can Be Awesome!

Hi all! So I'm linking up again with Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC (congrats on your big day lady!), Mar @ Mar on the Run and Cynthia @ You Signed Up for What?! for their Friday Five link-up. Please check out their awesome blogs as well as others you find on the link-up!

I love this particular link-up because it's free form but encourages you to really think through a particular topic. I decided to do 5 reasons that running in summer can be awesome. If you're like me and live in a place where the summer heat and humidity can be oppressive, to put it mildly, then you're constantly bemoaning the summer running weather. So I thought we should talk about what's good about running in the summer!


1) No More Layers!

Sometimes it is great to get out and run without looking like the Michelin man! This past winter was hard on almost the entire country which meant tights, gloves, hats, scarves, extra socks and the like. It can be pretty miserable to have to put this much effort into dressing for a run...not to mention that almost nothing can make you avoid that "chilled to the bone" feeling you have when you return. Now we are firmly in the shorts n' tanks running weather (or if you're a lot braver than me shorts n' sports bra) and it feel great! So celebrate the fact that your summer running gear weigh ounces rather than pounds!


2) Pools!

Well water of any type will do, but there's nothing better than jumping into a nice pool, lake, ocean, etc. after a nice long run! In the winter all I want to do is get back inside and into a hot shower and under a blanket, but in the summer, dive on in!

3) Post-run Patio Brunch!

If you haven't done this yet, then it is now your weekend must! If you're like me, you typically do your longer runs on the weekend. One of the best ways to celebrate that accomplishment is to change into some flip-flops, find a casual brunch spot with a patio and get yourself a Mimosa (or Bloody Mary if that's more your style)!

4) Sweating It Out!

Now I sweat plenty when I run during the winter, however something about sweating under the sun in the summer with not much between you and the elements feels like I'm really getting back to basics and just running like Pheidippides did back in tehe day!

5) Let There Be Light!

I will admit that when we get to mid-July and August there are times when I will wake early or go to bed late in order to avoid running in the sun; however for the most part it is nice to be able to get your run in during daylight hours. In the winter that's rarely possible for me with my work hours, so I relish the times I'm able to do it.

So there you have it folks, 5 reasons why running in summer isn't so bad at all! Have a great weekend and hit the road!

8 comments:

  1. I love running in the summer too! I don't care if it's hot. I love feeling free of all of the layers and feeling the sweat makes me feel I've worked hard. It's the best! Confessions of A Mother Runner

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    1. Definitely agree Deb, running any time of year can feel like a great accomplishment when conditions are harsh, but during the summer when there's just you and road and some sweat...it's pretty awesome! Now talk to me after I do my run this evening when it will be 93 with 65% humidity and it may be a different story ;)

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  2. Nope. Not even those reasons will make me love running when it's hot out. ;o) I might have to bring back the ice bath just to cool myself off LOL.

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    1. Ha! I hear ya, but at least you're doing it!

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  3. I live where it can get into the high 30s (Celcius) with high humidity. I've never really run in that kind of heat before as I just took up running about 3 months ago and at that time, we were finally having spring. I'll need to read up on ways to stay safe during that kind of heat, especially during a longer run!

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    1. Darilyn, you'll definitely want to take some summer running precautions such as carrying hydration, making sure your face is covered from the sun, slowing your pace and stopping if you feel light-headed or uncomfortable. I am pushing myself to run outdoors more this summer because I have a race in Florida in early October and I want to be used to the heat by then!

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  4. This is why I'm glad I moved to Alaska - perfect running weather all summer and no humidity! We also have super long days in the summer. I go running sometimes at 11:00 pm because I can! I plan on doing a midnight summer solstice run because it will be light enough to see at midnight :) But we don't have many pools up here, boo.

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    1. That sounds so awesome Kristen! I can't wait to run in Alaska some day as I achieve my 50 in 50!

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