How to run when it’s windy: I’m happily running... - Couch to 5K

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How to run when it’s windy

Julessn profile image
JulessnGraduate
10 Replies

I’m happily running every other day after graduating, and using the C25K+ podcasts to improve technique, stamina, speed.

This afternoon I set out, not tired, well hydrated, having eaten healthy energy food about an hour before.

I struggled from the outset (pretty normal as I always think I’m never going to be able to last five minutes let alone 30) but persevered.

And in the end I’d run a shorter distance than I’ve ever run in the half hour before, even in the heatwave.

The only difference was the wind. Gusty and swirly, which made deciding on my best route difficult. Plus, my breathing was all over the place.

Does anyone have any tips for running in windy conditions or should I just accept that it’s going to make me slow and not stress about it?

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Julessn profile image
Julessn
Graduate
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10 Replies
sallenson profile image
sallensonGraduate

Try using you arms more. Pump your arms, your feet will follow. Your arms are your accelerator. You're running against resistance (aka wind) so it's like a hill workout without the hills :-)

Enjoy the route back when you'll really fly!! :-)

Julessn profile image
JulessnGraduate in reply to sallenson

That’s really helpful, thank you. My legs are usually fine so I will make my arms work harder.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate

Your post has just made me feel tons better! I’m also doing post-grad running at the moment and I posted on here earlier grumbling that I wasn’t as fast today over 30 minutes as one of my W9 runs. Of course I wasn’t - it was windy! 😀👏👏

Sorry, not answering your question at all! But wind is something we’re all going to have to get used to with the weather on the turn!

Happy running! 😀😀😀

Julessn profile image
JulessnGraduate in reply to cheekychipmunks

Yep and there’s a real autumnal feel to the weather when I am. A new experience for me and lots of other summer grads!

I live near an abandoned Naval Air Station.

It is a pretty marvelous place. After years of abandonment it is now being developed. They put a beautiful road through the middle of it, and lovely sidewalks.

It's pretty wild, with numerous vast expanses of abandoned air strips. There are always people walking out there, riding bikes, rollerblading. It's just all this vast open space that's paved because it was an airstrip.

But anyway. What you see there, constantly, is people running on those lovely sidewalks. So new, so smooth, going on forever and ever.

So I get it in my head that way I stopped doing intervals and I'm ready for a good long run, I'm going to "treat myself" to a running day there.

Pfffffffft.

Guess where it's unspeakably windy?An abandoned air strip with nary a tree or building in sight to break up the wind. It was a flippin' hot day and the wind was appreciated on that level, but oh my God. it was possibly the most humbling and unpleasant run of all the runs.

I felt like one of the greats of the silent movie era, as if I was leaning full force into the wind and running in place. Like running uphill through water! Haha.

The one bonus was I felt I was being swept along by an invisible hand on the way back.

Ugh. Would not recommend.

I wish I had some advice for you. I suppose outdoor Runners are going to have to accept all the craziness the weather will bring us. The sweltering heat, high winds, rain, ice and snow.

I was just thinking today, that until I've run through all the seasons I will not have truly "graduated."

Julessn profile image
JulessnGraduate in reply to

I’m so pleased I’m not alone! I felt so useless today yet I *know* I’m a runner. I’m slow but didn’t want to get slower. I take on board the four seasons thing. I’m used to playing outdoor tennis in all weathers but have never run in adverse conditions before. Another challenge to get to grips with 😊

linda9389 profile image
linda9389Graduate in reply to

Haha. I feel your pain. I finally ran along the promenade where I grew up. Was so looking forward to the flat, flat surface, no kerbs, no corners, just run and run with a perfect view of the sea .... I was OK on the out run, but boy was it a battle to get back against that sea 'breeze' with nothing standing in it's way but me :D

sallenson profile image
sallensonGraduate

Best way to avoid running with wind is to say no to the the curry the night before :-)

Weather-type wind?

Use your arms people!! Your arms move faster than your legs ever will. Use your arms to pump forward and your legs and feet will follow. Use your arms!!

Jundal profile image
JundalGraduate

Enjoy it, I got a side wind today for he first time and it was LOVELY.

Fattybutbuts profile image
Fattybutbuts

Haha! I know exactly what you mean, I run along the promenade at home (3 weeks post grad) and whichever way I go the wind is always in my face!! The other day it was blowing a gale on the way to the pier and I thought at least it'll be behind me on the way back, but no!!

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