How much can conditions affect us?

[Whatsapp]

On Saturday I did the Bexhill Poppy 5k event for the second time, and what a difference a year makes.

Last year it was wind, rain and a promanade covered in pebbles to negotiate. Saturday morning was ideal: crisp, cold, dry and bright.

I wasn't expecting a lot - just happy to compete in such a great event - given I had done exactly 0 speed work since I can't even remember when. So the order of the day was to go out and enjoy myself and, hopefully, clock something under 30 minutes.

When I got started I felt good. I was putting in a good pace, and decided just to hang on and slow down when I started to tire. However, that didn't happen. I ran the race in under 26 minutes. Not a PB but faster than last year.

And it got me thinking about conditions. Last year, the week after the Poppy run I was unexpectedly given a place in the Brighton 10k. I hadn't even run 10k for a couple of monthe by that points, so again didn't expect much. However, once again conditions were perfect. On that day I did get a PB.

It seems that conditions makes a massive difference to me. Now I'm not sure if this is the same for everyone, but even if I have had a great trainng period, unfavourable conditions put a dampner on my run, but transversley it seems godd conditions can add that extra oompf even when training has not been ideal. I wonder what others' experiences are?

[Tasha99 Marathon]

Congratulations- a great time!

I love running in the rain - can definitely go faster. Heat saps life out of me.

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

Thanks Tasha99 . I hesitate to say I also like running in the rain. If we are talking a nice light, cooling flurry on a warm late spring morning, then I'm in. However, if it is a cold, hard deluge halfway through a long run, which soaks me through and leaves mey running 5 miles or so with soaking wet clothing and chfing issue, then I'm not.

Although I do agree with the heat. I ran one 10k event along the seafront during a heatwave (the sort of sun you didn't want to stand in, let alone run in), dozens of runners actually abandoned the run. I completed it, slowly, but it was horrible!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Fab time there, excellent. Interesting thinking. All I've noticed is that race magic pushes me faster than any training run and likewise pacers at parkrun. I also don't like heat!

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks linda9389 , definitely helps to pull you along running with others. I have to be careful though as I start to get ideas above my station and theres no fun in those same peole all overtaking you back in the second half of the race.

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon]

Well done on your Poppy Run 😁

The conditions make a huge difference to me. We really struggle with the wind at Hastings parkrun (usually having to run into it on the way back) but this week it was so still. I ran a 25 sec parkrun PB even though I started right near the back and was barely more than walking for the first couple of hundred metres!

I also find running in the heat extremely hard. I can't remember ever having raced in the rain but it definitely makes me run faster on training runs x

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to pianoteacher]

Thanks. I recommend you give it a go. 5k/10k and HM options are available. Running in the wind is not much fun - unless your lucky enough to have it propel you along.

I think running in heat is tough too as we cannot cool down. I read somewhere that around 10 degrees is ideal running temperature.

Running to 'get out' of the rain makes me faster! Congratulations on your PB.

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to pianoteacher]

🤣🤣I’m hoping you mean a 25 min parkrun pianoteacher, otherwise you’ve gone supersonic.

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

25 secs faster than my previous PB Dexy 😂🤣

Not in the 25 mins at parkrun yet but getting there x

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to pianoteacher]

🥴

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Sounds like a great run. Also a great time too! Yeah conditions make a big difference to me as well. I slow considerably in real heat and very cold. Crisp fall weather is the best for me. I like running in the rain but I’ve never raced in it either. We got a few inches of snow today so speedwork is off the table for now

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

I loved running in the snow, when I last had the chance a couple of years ago. Though I suspect the snow you have is greater than the light flurries we experience on the south coast of England: a light dusting of 1-2cms and mostly thawed out by midday.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Whatsapp]

I do too. We got around 5 inches last night so I will be trying it out today. I am debating using some sheet metal screws in my old trail shoes for the race this weekend. with all the snow it should be a bit of a gong show!

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

I've run outdoors in literary any weather, home and abroad. Snow is 'romantic', big heat slows me down but relaxes me more than any other run, rain is always good (warm or cold), sun can be good but can be too open at times, dark is positively challenging but - there's one guy that really annoys me, it's the wind. Throws me off balance, messes up with my music (earphones), interferes too much with my thing. But on a realistic side, and I've written it many a time, it's me visiting the wind - it's not the wind blowing in my bedroom. Hence l always adapt. In terms of my results I am happy not to know/acknowledge/understand/care of any of my 'successes' until l become a renowned professional speed record breaker. In the meantime all l care for is my heart rate and my desire for it to stay within a certain limit during my long runs or my blisteringly fast interval runs when hell breaks loose and l burn some rubber. Not.

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to mrrun]

Absolutely. Work with the conditions you are presented with, and apprecaite all seasons. Running should be a challenge after-all, and I love the variety.

Most of the timeI am not bothered, but when I have paid a few 'hard-earned' pennies on an event that I have also spent a couple of months training towards - its important that I put in a good shift and I appreciate mother nature giving me a boost.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

100% in my case Whatsapp. 👍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Lovely medal. And brilliant time, Congratulations!

I hate heat and wilt like a delicate little flower in it. The only time I’ve ever stopped in a 10K race was because of the heat, just couldn’t manage. But I love the cold and they are, without doubt, my best runs and most enjoyable. I read somewhere that 12 degrees is the perfect running weather and was one of the reasons the Kipchoge team chose Vienna in October.

I also love the rain (well I am from Ireland 🙄) but not strong wind.

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you. I don't book events around July-August for the reason. I still run, but nice and early (and slowly). Cooling down after run in the summer is hard too.

[Irish-John Marathon]

I unashamedly desire warm, dry and sunny conditions when I run

Rain is my nemesis - I've been wet, cold and miserable too often to voluntarily endure it ever again.

It's why, IF it comes to pass, my FM ambition is going to be in California

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to Irish-John]

Well done John a vote for the sunshine over the rain. I hope to read your California FM run report soon😁

[Irish-John Marathon in reply to Whatsapp]

It'll be quite a while, probably September all going well

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to Irish-John]

Excellent!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Just to be awkward! I don't think weather conditions make much difference to me unless they produce bad ground conditions. I have run PBs on pretty horrible days. I seem to run a bit faster when I am running with others, so Park Run and the one road race I have entered have all speeded me up.🤷‍♂️

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

You are not awkward at all Beachcomber66 . Its interesting to know some people can blitz through whatever. Perhaps I have had a few good runs in good weather and am jumping to conclusions - time will tell.

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

I have been pretty lucky with conditions for nearly all of my races - the London Marathon last year was a bit warm, but I think that mostly affected me because I was injured so I took longer than usual to run it!

The one thing I would dearly love would be for there to be a westerly breeze for the Brighton Marathon. For the past 3 years the wind has been easterly (and it was pretty strong too last year, so I was glad I wasn't running!) which means running into the wind for the last 10k of the race. A westerly would give me such a boost. Or no wind at all would be OK too 😊😊😊

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Battling against the wind at the end of a marathon is like a double slap in the face I expect. You could hope for no breeze - but, Brighton seafront in April... no chance!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Whatsapp]

It's annoying to me, because the wind is usually westerly - why does it have to change direction for the Brighton Marathon??? 😂😂😂

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Fo r the last two years I have done the Eastbourne HM and the weather has been lousy. The week before however, when the Brighton HM is run, it has been perfect weather - both times!!

So, next year in anticipation, I have signed up for the Brighton HM...what are the chances??😂😂

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Whatsapp]

I'm doing the Brighton HM too, so I'm expecting excellent weather!!!! 😂

[Deals1 Metric Marathon]

mmmm... yeah I think it does. well done on your run

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to Deals1]

Thanks Deals1 .

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Well done on your poppy run Whatsapp - a great medal too. So far I’ve been very lucky with the weather for the races I’ve done. I am a bit of a fair weather runner so I’m sure that if it was really cold and rainy it would have a detrimental effect. The wind is something we often have to cope with along our prom- they say it’s good hill training 😂

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you - I especially like the fact that they change the medal each year.

I am prerfectly happy with the cold, but wind and rain combined make it tough. I guess you just have to get used to windy conditions along a prom.