While I’m definitely not a fair weather runner, I can be somewhat of a fair weather racer. Let me explain. Running in the summer is tough enough. It’s hot, it’s humid, the bugs are out and it can often be an all-around sufferfest. However, it’s a necessary evil. So I do it. I wake up at the crack of dawn (actually, usually before the sun) and I run. Then I sweat all day and my hair looks a hot mess and I never cool down—but alas, that’s the price we pay.
Because summer running can be such a challenge, I have a few tips for choosing summer races to share. Most of these grew out of not being particular about summer racing and paying the price. Learn from my mistakes!
- Races must start EARLY. Do not run a half marathon in August that starts at 9 a.m. Do NOT do that to yourself. Unless you live someplace where the weather is very, very nice in August. My general rule is nothing after 8 a.m. once summer really gets going. Set your own guideline depending on your heat tolerance, but I strongly recommend setting one, whatever that may be. I chose 8am, because I am out the door and running before 7am just about every day I run in the summer, and know how quickly the temperature rises after 8am.
- Races must be relatively short. I ran an awesome 20k in August two years ago. The race started at 8 a.m., so it was within my rules, but by the time I was finishing, it was closer to 10 a.m. and it was HOT. Way too hot for my liking. A 10k would’ve been great (and in fact this summer I’ve already run two 10ks and a 5k). A 20k was just a touch too long for August heat, in my opinion. Lots of 5ks, 10ks and other fun distances (like Freedom 4-milers and such) are on my plate for this summer.
- Races must be for FUN. I do NOT run for any PRs in the summer. I race for fun and to get miles in as a part of my training. I save the PR goal races for the fall and the spring. The benefit of this approach is that by the time the race comes around, the weather is much better than I’ve been training in (typically—obviously you can’t always count on this) and that can equal a faster race!
What are your tips for choosing summer races?
A version of this post originally appeared at Women’s Running.
So many great tips here! And no one wants to race a midday race during this crazy heat wave. That’s for sure! Hope you are having a great summer!
Yes – this heat has made me even MORE selective about races!
Yes, all of what you said! I only do 5Ks in the summer and actually am a bit surprised that the earliest one has started was 8:30 am. Most of them start at 9 or 9:30 am which I think is way too late. There is one coming up in August that is at 1:00 pm…WTH???
That 1pm start sounds like death! Lol
I agree, races must be fun, especially during the summer. I actually didn’t mind running the Leesburg 20k two years ago and thought about running it again this year but its the day after we come back from vacation and I feel like running over 12 miles the next day would just be torture.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…How I’m Staying Motivated to Train During the Summer
Yeah the race was fun but that was too long for me to run in that heat. I doubt I’ll run it again…I’m used to starting long runs at 6am!
These are great tips! I remember my dad and I did a 10K on Father’s day a few years ago on a trail in Maryland that had zero shade and the race started at 8:30. I was so hot and miserable before it even started, so I definitely learned my lesson on that one!
Jen@bubblyrunner.com recently posted…South Beach Fun!
Yeah – late starting races are NOT my jam in the summer 🙂
if possible with shade or along the water for a breeze
Yes to both of those. I definitely chase the shade during summer runs!
Ha! I laughed at your intro. I’m the only woman in my office who isn’t freezing from the AC. I’m hot all day after running! I don’t think I’ll be cold until January. So agree on races having to start early!
Yes to being picky about start times! As much as getting up super early sucks, it’s even worse to be slogging through humid air at 10AM and knowing you’ve just started running. I did a training run that didn’t start ’til almost 1030 on Sunday. If it was just me I wouldn’t have waited so long, but I was doing a course preview run for a route I was totally unfamiliar with.