Hi there, team. Coach Alexa here.
Today’s video is inspired by the upcoming weather forecast. It is pretty warm, high teens, hitting 20 this week in the balmy southeast of England.
Looking Ahead to Changing Weather
We are planning a hiking trip, myself, my husband, and our four-legged family member next week in Wales. The forecast is looking a little bit more mixed. There is possibly a bit of thunder and lightning this weekend, cooler temperatures, generally higher chances of rain, and higher winds over some of the higher elevation areas.
When Weather Changes Your Plans
It got me thinking that quite a few of my runners will come to me saying, “I moved that run because it was raining” or “I did not want to go out on that Sunday afternoon because it was too hot.”
Sometimes there are perfectly valid reasons for doing that, particularly if there are weather warnings. That is an important thing to note.
We Are Built to Adapt
Most of the time, our bodies are pretty well adapted over decades, even millennia, to survive in all sorts of different conditions.
It is a great opportunity for us to get out in lots of different weather conditions and expand our comfort zone of what we are mentally prepared for. We learn the different types of kit we need to wear in different conditions, what works, what does not, and what hydration works for us.
Training Benefits in Varied Conditions
It also allows physical adaptation to take place. This is particularly important in the spring, that we do, when we can, get out in warmer conditions and do our runs, training, or walking in hotter weather, because it helps prepare us for the summer temperatures.
Our body will do some work behind the scenes to adapt to the heat and make running in those conditions easier for us. Mentally and physically, we step out of our comfort zone, challenge ourselves with varied conditions, and our comfort zone grows.
Enjoying the Experience
It can be quite enjoyable. I have had some of my best runs on baking hot days.
This goes back at least 12 or 13 years. A long run that is still a beautiful memory in my head, running along by the river, not too far from where I live now, on a baking hot sunny afternoon. People were out on their boats, people were in their gardens having barbecues, and everyone was very friendly. It was a beautiful run that has stayed with me for years.
I am also a massive fan of running in the pouring rain. It is quite a strange sensation that I really enjoy.
You are out in the elements regardless, and I find it quite enjoyable.
Final Thoughts
Weather warnings aside, give it a go, particularly with heat adaptation as we start heading into the summer.
It is really useful and will make it that much easier to head out for a run in warmer weather without struggling as much when you have practised it.
Happy running.
