Fall Running Safety Tips

You know that saying “if you don’t like the weather in New England, wait five minutes, it’ll change”?  It applies double in the fall.  Just yesterday afternoon, it was so cold and rainy I thought it might actually snow. Then in the blink of an eye, the sun came out and the humidity sky rocketed.   The change in seasons often brings widely variable temperatures, and that’s not limited to only the North East. While you may start a run in the brisk, cool, morning, your workout may end in much milder, sunny weather. Alternatively, a later afternoon or early evening run may experience significant temperature drops as the sun begins to set. Wearing or bringing multiple layers of running specific clothing will ensure your ability to add, or remove, clothing to keep you comfortable in the varying temperatures.  In short: layers, layers, LAYERS.

In the summer when the sun is beating down on your shoulders and you are sweating buckets; hydrating is an obvious task.  Athletes tend to be very aware of the importance of hydrating during the hot, summer months. As the weather cools, however, it can become easier to forget to maintain healthy hydration levels while exercising, as runners often sweat less, and find the mild temperatures more comfortable.  I know when I’m struggling to stay warm, hydration is the LAST thing on my mind.   While your personal hydration levels may indeed decrease during the cooler months, it is still important to be sure to properly hydrate before, during, and after each workout.