During this time of year, Central Texas runners are looking for one thing--a weather forecast with a low that isn't in the 80s. Normally we have to wait until October for such a thing to appear but this year we were treated to an early front arriving. All this week, we've enjoyed lows in the 60s!
We deserved this early taste of fall after enduring the third hottest summer on record. More than 40 days registered temperatures above 100 degrees. With sweltering heat like that, it's no wonder that we're like bears who hibernate in the winter, although instead of disappearing to caves, we often disappear into gyms getting on treadmills to get our miles in. If there was ever a time to get used to a treadmill, it was this past summer. But put it away as the cooler temperatures have returned. Hallelujah!
And, speaking of putting away -- put away all those electronics too! -- even if it's just for a little while. So many runners are obsessed with numbers. Split times, heart rate, pace and race times are entered into digital devices and then calculated with geeky precision. These all-important statistics are stored in fitness logs for years with the idea of later coming back to see if one is getting better with age, like a fine wine. Wristwatch-like GPS devices now allow people to get off the measured tracks and trails. The GPS device figures out how far someone has run so it takes out any guesswork . The calculation and storage of numbers to a runner are vital for progress to be made. But, there are times when you leave the watch, GPS, iPod and iPhone at home. This week with lows in the 60s is one such week. I know what you're thinking, what will this do to my totals? Forget what it'll do to your totals, think about what it'll do to rejuvenate you and remind you why you run in the first place.
The cooler temperatures don't just feel better, they've proven to enhance the running experience. Runner's World Magazine conducted an informal survey of marathon runners and found 52-degrees to be the optimum temperature for running a marathon. Many elite runners like it even cooler. In fact, some even like it just above freezing. That's why it was such an accomplishment for the Olympic marathon runners last month to run 26.2 miles in 80+degree temps with high humidity.
Even if you're not anywhere close to a marathoner or elite runner, though, you can enjoy the great outdoors during these nice cool days. On a cool morning, the bakery bread smells fresher, the aromas coming off Lady Bird Lake smell sweeter, the birds sing a peppier tune. This is not the case in the summer when the temperature is above 100 or in the middle of February when the temps can be in the teens. This is definitely a time of year to take advantage of! So get up early, leave your electronics at home and get moving. Enjoy the first cool front of the year.