Adios, Summer

     I feel like there's no ideal running weather for myself, I'm always struggling with whatever weather mother nature decides to throw at me. Now that fall is here and running in the summer heat is no longer an issue, I feel it is best to reflect on all the good summer running has done as we say farewell.
     Yes, when the temperature is above fifty five degrees, even ten degree increase in heat can hinder your running performance and speed by three percent. Luckily, if you stick with it, you should be experiencing a boost at about this time thanks to all that running in the summer.
     If you talk to almost any runner, they will admit that running in daylight is more pleasurable. Summer offters extended daylight hours! Running at night or early in the mornings feels much more safe. I'll admit, a nice five mile run at five am is nice when you're under the stars, but if you're by yourself, you can feel like you're about to be attacked at any minute. Thanks to summer, light is provided and you feel more confident.
     And what about no ice? Often in the summer we forget about how easy it is to go on a simple run without worrying about slipping and damaging yourself! It depends on where you live, but if you live somewhere with all four seasons, it is promised you will slip and fall on ice at least once every winter. It is painful, embarassing, and annoying, whether you're running or not.
    If you're like me and your city almost always has at least a foot of snow on the ground, you know what it's like to run with high knees through the snow with nothing but just your running shoes and socks. Half the time you'll have to stop just to walk accross a patch of ice alone. Thank God for summer giving us those much needed breaks from winter.
     To avoid those annoying ice and snow patches while running, we often resort to running inside, usually on the treadmill. Thanks to summer, we are able to ditch thoes treadmills (which, if you have read my previous posts, you may have gathered I'm not a fan of) and get out to enjoy the outdoors and fresh air. It may be annoying to run in extreme heat, feel like your legs are made of lead, and in limited daylight, but summer comes with many perks, and I will miss it as a runner.