Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Warm weather motivation




We really haven't had much hot weather here to speak of, so thinking about warm weather tips and motivation is not first and foremost on my mind. The weather forecast for the upcoming week is looking a little toasty, and so it's good timing for me to review what I do differently to get through a run in the summer than in the winter.

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Sweating makes you feel extra badass- Do you dread the thought of heading out into a morning that is 99.9% humidity? My Florida friends talk about this a lot. But we Midwesterners suffer from some pretty intense humidity in the summer months as well. I won't lie..the humidity really takes a toll on my running. After a run on a humid morning, I could just wring the sweat right out of my clothes. And that makes me feel like I worked so much harder than on a comparable run in the winter. So let's put a positive spin on it. What is it about sweat that feels so cleansing? Here are a few sweaty mantras you can adopt:
"Sweat is liquid awesome"
"I don't sweat, I sparkle"
"Sweat like a pig to look like a fox" 
"Sweat is fat crying"
Next time you say you don't want to go out for a run because it's too hot...too humid, pull out one of these mantras. Celebrate your sweat. Embrace it! You earned it!

Summer running gear is so much cuter- Because for me it's all about the gear. I just love my summer running clothes. I get to wear skirts and tanks, and I have such a fun variety! Planning my outfit the night before an early morning summer run makes me feel motivated to get up with the alarm and head out the door.

Getting ready to run is so much easier- Since you don't have to wear as much to run in the summer, morning prep time for a run is significantly less than in the cooler weather. Slip on your skirt or shorts, your tank and bra, and you're ready to hit the road. But if you're going for a longer run, take the time to use your Body Glide. Chafing is no fun.

You have less clothes to wash-In the winter, my laundry is doubled. There's tights, and base layer tops. There's a second top. Maybe a vest over that. Long wool socks. Gloves. A hat. Summer laundry is just so much easier.

I'm loving the light singlets that are out this summer! This one's from New Balance.

You get to see the sunrise-Would you want to miss this?

Last summer sunrise. Not sure why I looks so stunned. 
Drinking fountains and bathrooms are operable- Where I live, between October and May, all the drinking fountains are shut off in the local parks. That means either I carry water or I go without. Sure, I don't need to drink as much in the cooler weather, but on a longer run, it would be nice to be able to stop for a sip. The portapotties seem to disappear with the falling leaves too. I guess the park district folks don't think people go to the bathroom in the cooler weather. One park by me opens the public restrooms every day in the winter, and so I plan a lot of runs there.

A much welcome drink on a recent warm day. Oh, and check out the cute Skirt Sports skirt I won! 

Beer tastes so much better after a hot sweaty run-Maybe you don't partake, but for me, the best post run drink is a cold beer. I don't drink a lot of beer, but I do enjoy one after a run. I also feel like I've earned it! It's really a great way to refuel. My husband is a homebrewer and we've always got something tasty in the fridge. My go to is usually Spotted Cow (from New Glarus in Wisconsin) or a German Weiss beer. But my husband is brewing a Belgian Wit beer for my fall marathon. And naming it BQ. I hope it brings me good luck.

Only available in Wisconsin, I'm afraid.
Running in the heat and humidity is certainly a challenge. Remember to take it slower, pace yourself, and stay well hydrated. With the proper preparation and mindset, you can run in the heat and humidity. Running in the summer brings big rewards in the fall, when the weather is cooler.

And it you need any more motivation to run outside in the summer, here's my famous/infamous picture from last winter:



Which do you prefer? Summer running or winter running? No fair if you live somewhere tropical--we know what you like! Any tips for surviving the summer heat?
















52 comments :

  1. hands down, I prefer summer. I run outside year-round, and don't mind the winter (much), but summer is definitely SO much better. I don't mind the humidity (no, I don't embrace it....but I prefer it to sub-freezing wind), it actually does feel pretty "cleansing" to feel all the post-run dampness after returning home. Maybe it's the challenge of conquering the weather that I like....I know people who brag about their love for the treadmill, but then whine when they have to do a race OUTSIDE in the humid air. They say it's just not fair when the weather ruins their race experience yadda yadda yadda. Well, we all have to run in the same weather on race day, I prefer to be prepared for it :-) #mythoughts

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    1. If given the choice, I'd rather run in the heat than the cold; but I do run faster when it's cooler. I just feel like I"ve worked harder in the heat...

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  2. I'm a winter runner. I hate running in the heat and usually my mileage drops significantly. Bleh. But this summer I'll be getting out there. And I get New Glarus beers here. Of course, that's because my parents drive it out LOL, but I get it.

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    1. We live close enough to Wisconsin that we usually have some New Glarus in the fridge. Which one is your favorite?

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  3. I definitely prefer the summer to winter running! I hate all the layers and not being able to feel various parts of my body. That being said, running when its really hot out is hard. It takes adjusting but can be done! And it just makes you stronger for fall races:)

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    1. I'm with you. It's tougher to run in the heat but hands down, I"d rather...

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  4. hahaha I think that final picture says it all! I definitely prefer summer!

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  5. OMG I have so many pictures of icicles on my face from the winter. THAT is motivation to never run in the winter again! I much prefer the heat, thankyouverymuch. :)

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  6. Haha, cheers to less clothes to watch, drinking fountains working and cuter running gear!!!

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  7. I love winter running and I do miss it! But I have to suck it up and enjoy the summertime running....I'll have to try to spin it in a positive way! Haha, love that infamous pic of yours...makes me never want to go to Chicago in the winter!

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    1. I like winter running but I prefer warm weather running any day!

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  8. Ha! We have the same take on sweat. I just ran in 82 degrees with 98 humidity along the coast. Bad-assery sweat at its finest. Love it.

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    1. Sweating like that just makes me feel like I"ve worked that much harder...

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  9. I hate running in the cold and the wet so bring on Summer!

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  10. I know it can be a pain at times but I love summer running hands down! There is not much that gets me motivate to run in the cold..lol.!

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    1. I'm with you! I run outside in the winter so I'm ready to run in the warm weather..

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  11. I'll take heat over sub zero temps any day. I may be slower, but I'm usually smiling when it's warm and sunny out!

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  12. I like summer running as long as I'm up early enough that's it's still a tad bit cool. Too hot and I overheat - no good. I do love all the things you mentioned though, especially less laundry, the sunrise, and operable water fountains!

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    1. I just go really early and get it done before the heat of the day.

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  13. Omg your winter running picture is hilarious! Even though its brutal, I much prefer running in the summer. So many fewer layers!

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  14. Can I vote for spring and fall running? I love summer for the early daylight but I'll pass on heat and humidity, although it's fine for everything other than running.

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  15. I get annoyed bundling up in winter ,,, until it's summer!

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  16. I always remind in the dead of winter that summer is worse. I can pile on lots of layers in the winter - so long as I don't slip on the ice, it's bearable. Summer running is far worse. After all, I can only take off so many pieces of clothing before I get arrested. :)

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    1. I like the freedom of movement in the summer. But I do run faster in the cold.

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  17. I definitely prefer summer running even with the heat and humidity. Can you believe that I hate beer, but I LOVE it after a long run or race...but it has to be ice cold, preferably with tiny ice chips :)

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    1. I'm not a big beer drinker myself but it sure tastes good after a hot, sweaty run!

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  18. I am such a big time sweat-er.... I get drenched on every run!! I can't run in really hot/humid weather.... which is why LA marathon being in February is perfect for me!

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    1. I used to say that I couldn't run in the heat and humidity, but I just go earlier in the day and run slower.

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  19. I dont mind summer running or sweating (I sweat A LOT) it's just that humidity and sweating make it harder for me to perform in races. I can never have a good race if its too hot or humid. But in terms of practice runs, I definitely prefer hot to cold!

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    1. I just know I won't PR in those conditions. Last year I ran 2 halfs in heat and humidity, and they were my slowest ever. It is what it i...

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  20. You are right! Beer tastes way better after a hot, humid run!

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  21. I just love a good sweaty run, because I do believe sweat is my fat is crying even if it isn't! It's a great motivator! I like to put a lot of thought into what I'm going to run in and it is easier in summer, it's freaking HOT! You can't take off enough clothes to run in! Winter, well to me it has a lot of degrees, kinda cold, really cold, wtf was I thinking cold!!! Plus if you can run through all this heat your going to be such a better runner come winter time! ;)

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    1. And that is the truth! I was training for a March half in Florida and I trained on my treadmill in sweats, to simulate "heat" training. It worked well.

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  22. I used to prefer winter running, but the older I get, the less I tolerate the cold. And I tolerate the heat better than I used to. I have to agree, summer clothes are so much cuter!

    As always, thanks for linking up!

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  23. You can have some of our hot weather! It's been in the 80's since February LOL.

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    1. I think we Chicagoans appreciate it so much more because our season is relatively short!

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  24. Is it crazy that I like to sweat! The sweatier the better.

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  25. I'd take summer over winter! the snow gave me ITB problems!

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  26. Call me crazy, but one of my favorite things about the warmer weather is having less laundry to do! I kind of like 'glistening' at the end of a run, too. Like you said - it makes me feel badass!

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