Running in the Wind

Every spring, I turmoil with the issue of wind.  I have no problems running in 10 degree cold, but fierce winds will chase me to the treadmill every time.  Spring seems to be coming early this year.  The temps have soared (yesterday into the 70's!) and the winds have picked up.  Living near the airport, my favorite run routes become great big wind tunnels.

This year, I'm accepting the challenge.
No excuses.

I headed out yesterday afternoon for a quick 4 miles before Spinning class. Every flag stood at attention in the 25-30 mph winds.  I tried to make every excuse not to run.  I almost hit the treadmill inside, but it was 70 degrees outside.  How could I run inside?  So I tackled the wind head-on.  It turned into a simply great run!

TIPS ON RUNNING IN THE WIND

• Dress appropriately.  Make sure your gear in optimized to run in wind.  Your apparel should be fairly fitted to prevent it from twisting in the wind. Wide headbands, like BondiBands, keep ears warm in cool winds while also securing flyaway hair away from your face. A good pair of sunglasses help protect your eyes from the wind.  My eyes tend to dry out quickly with contacts, so I wear my Ryders Hex glasses year-round to protect my eyes.

• Make it a fun run. Put expectations of a certain pace aside so you're not disappointed at the end.  If you have a tempo or intervals on the schedule, be flexible and change it up. The wind will be an added challenge in itself... think of it as a bonus strength workout!  Play around with your run - run head first into the wind for a 1/2 mile, then turn around and sprint back with the wind.  Repeat for a good interval workout.

• Plan your route.  Go for an out-and-back route or large loop. Your energy level is highest at the beginning, so run into the wind first. By conquering the toughest part of the run first, you'll be eager for the turnaround.  Yesterday, I felt completely winded when I hit the 2 mile mark.  Once I made the turnaround, my legs just took off on me. The wind was pushing against my back and I couldn't seem to run fast enough.  It was a really fun way to end a run!

• Find barriers.  Windy days are a good time to hit wooded trails.  Dense trees offer a nice barrier to wind gusts.  If you can't get out of town, try older neighborhoods with grown-up trees.  The houses are typically closer together, offering more protection from wind.  Completely out of the box... run on the sidewalk of a busy street on the side with the traffic.  As you run into the wind, the cars coming from your backside will offer a little counter-wind, especially those big semis!

Do you have any other windy tips to add?

If you had to pick, would you rather have FIERCE WIND or HILLS?

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