RELENTLESS FORWARD COMMOTION

Adventure may hurt you, but monotony will kill you.

oh Mother Nature, I forgot you’ll be joining us…

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Living on the beach in the South sometimes tends to make you forget that the weather isn’t always at least 65 and somewhat sunny. Yesterday, mother nature reminded us of that fact with a cold, wet, rainy day. Fall is here. As I was walking across campus, cursing myself for not owning an umbrella (note to self, add that to the shopping list) I began to think about this weekend and almost stopped in my tracks.

What if it’s cold and rainy on marathon day? Yes folks, I’ve been training for the Baltimore Marathon since March, and with only 5 days to go, this was the first time the thought of race day weather conditions ever popped into my head. Like I said, here in SC it’s easy to forget that every day isn’t sunshine and ridiculous humidity (in the summer at least).

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m a huge baby when it comes to cold. Ironic, since I grew up in Vermont. But my “blood has thinned” as they say, and anything below 68 degrees requires long sleeves in my book. Ok, 55 degrees if I’m running.

I hesitantly got online and checked out the predicted weather forecast in Baltimore for Saturday. 8:00 am: high of 56/low of 45 , 30% chance of rain.

30% chance of rain, that’s not bad. Here on the Grand Strand we like to follow the totally unscientific weather rule of thumb: it never precipitates unless Jim Cantore or one of his weather channel comrades claims 60% chance or higher. I can’t remember what local bar patron shared this bit of info with me years back when I first moved here, but I’ll be darned if the rule isn’t right 9.5 out of 10 times. So, I may luck out on the rain front (hopefully) but it appears it is now time for wardrobe plan B: LAYERS.

Which brings me to predicament number one: Where, in South Carolina, specifically a tourist beach town, in October, do I find myself a pair of cheap knit gloves (because I’d hate to have to toss away the nice ones if it gets warm) You know, cheap ones like these, minus the barnyard animals?

Your guess is as good as mine. And so the hunt begins. Cold hands are not fun.

Nor is running in the freezing rain (again , freezing being anything below 60, haha). But am I too stubborn to DNS due to weather? You best believe it! So I’m psyching myself up for the absolute worst possible case weather situation, so when I arrive to the start line with a balmy 58 degrees and sunshine, I can smile.

Anyone have any cold, wet marathon survival stories for me?

Midterm on Friday, Marathon on Saturday, and maybe, just maybe, I can catch up on some blog reading on Sunday. Sorry about that friends 🙂

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Comments

  1. You don’t need to worry about “throw away” gloves – I’ve got you covered! Just get up here safely after rocking your History Mid-Term!

    Reply

  2. Oh I hear you on the cold weather, in fact I recently made almost the same comment as you re temps below 70 being cold. I have a pair of Nike running gloves that I found at Marshalls or TJ Maxx, maybe you might find something there. Good luck with you test and the marathon.

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  3. Looks like Holly has got you covered. BTW, I ran the Gasparilla Marathon last year in a torrential downpour. It wasn’t super cold while running but after ward I was a popsicle. (The rain actually helped my legs. But again, it wasn’t super cold out.)

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  4. Oh boy! This girl hates cold too. Maybe you have a running shirt with sleeves long enough that you can fold them over your hands when you start? My sleeves are always too long on me.
    Good luck though. I hope the temps are perfect for you and NO RAIN!!

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  5. I’m right there with ya girl. I am bringing throwaway clothes and praying to the running gods to give me at least a 50 degree lo repreive for Sunday. My blood is thinned out too! (And I’m a former Michigander!) 🙂 Good luck!!!

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  7. OK how do I not have your Marathon on my calendar… Geez lady I would have totally missed giving you a High Five.

    Check Walmart, Fred Meyer, Dollar Store, Goodwill, Value Village, Ross, TJMAx…ummmm that is all I have. Hope you can find some..

    And I pray the weather Gods are kind..

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  8. After training for my first marathon this summer in the Texas heat – I swore I would NEVER again curse the cold weather. For me, fall can’t get here soon enough.

    In Texas, we’re still in the 95 one day, 72 the next . . .

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  9. I came across your blog from Tara’s blog. Best of luck to you in your race. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for some nice weather. I’m in Houston and today’s temps are supposed to “feel like” 116! I’d love for a nice 50-degree day! 🙂

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  10. Oh, I can’t really complain, it was 35 here yesterday morning and they are calling for snow flurries…and I love every minute! I found out last winter that I’m a winter/cold weather runner. I’d rather start out cold and then be warm later than start out comfortable and be all hot and sweaty later… But that’s just me!

    You will totally rock this marathon, and I can’t wait to hear the full recap!

    Reply

  12. walmart doesn’t have gloves already? or you don’t have an old pair somewhere in the house? i feel like a couple years ago balitmore gave out cheapy gloves at the expo, but of course that might’ve just been that year.

    i think mid-50’s is perfect running weather. hopefully the rain will hold off!

    Reply

  13. I hear ya! Training in the Texas heat has made me a wimp in “cold” weather. And I like running when the sun is out. Somehow it just makes me more cheerful.

    I hope you have great weather that day!

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  14. Last year’s philly marathon – FREEZING. Year before – freezing, drizzling, raining. It’s ok. I did not even notice. You’ll be in THE ZONE! Go mamma go!

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  19. Heather I hear ya I hear ya I hear ya.

    I grew up in the Southern Highlands of Australia – temperatures hovering about 5 degrees in winter, 25 in summer (cold for Australia, believe me).

    I also lived in London for 5 years.

    I CAN’T STAND THE COLD.

    Darwin, where I live now is about 32-35 degrees every day. I’m in the Southern Highlands now and I’m really struggling!!

    Reply

  22. It sounds like everyone has got you covered with places to check out.

    In 2007 we ran in the Arizona RNR half marathon. It was a whopping 27 degrees and NO ONE was prepared for that cold snap, not even the locals. During the race my husband ‘trolled the ground for discarded gloves. I know, a little gross, but it never gets that cold where I live. We needed something… Even the elites had issues!

    Happy running!

    Reply

  23. Last year during BayState in Mass, it was 38 degrees at the start. It warmed up to mid 40’s by the finish. It was chilly, but running in the cold is so much easier than running in the heat (from a performance perspective). Cold can be uncomfortable while waiting at the start, but you don’t even notice once you get running. You’ll be fine! Good luck!

    Reply

  25. Just thought as a Balitmorian, I’d welcome you to Baltimore for the marathon! I’ll just be a spectator, but my boyfriend, and many other friends, are running!
    Our temps haven’t been too bad here, Saturday is looking like nice running weather. Better than last year’s heat! I remember I was so thankful to get a spot under the bridge at the finish!
    Best wishes!

    Reply

  26. Heather,

    Denver Marathon 2007, rained the entire race. All 26.2 of it. 35-40 degrees. My arms and hands were numb. I couldn’t push my watch to take a split the last 3-4 miles.

    I have never been so cold while I was running.

    Reply
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