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Wednesday, May 14, 2014 · Mike Davis

Good morning! Sorry about the short hiatus, we have been dealing with the transition from moving and there are still changes ahead. Nevertheless all is well and we are moving into new challenges. With May half gone that means we now get to deal with weather patterns that go from one extreme to another and often back. This week was exactly that as we had multiple days in the 80s only to be followed by a couple days back into the 50s. Paying attention to the weather is as critical this time of year as it is in the winter. Choosing the best time of the day to run can make the difference between an easy and difficult run. Consider factors like peak temperatures, humidity, allergy levels, UV index and storms. All of these are important considerations and may be reasons to juggle our typical running schedule when possible. For example, at times it may seem logical to run in the morning when the temperatures are lower, but if you look at the details of the forecast you might see that the humidity level is at peak. Despite lower temperatures the humidity may have a greater effect as well as the affect that humidity level has on allergies. My wife for example has allergy induced asthma and when the humidity is high her breathing becomes difficult and running becomes a greater challenge. Often it is a smarter choice for her to wait for the morning moisture (humidity) to dissipate as it warms up and run while the temperatures are actually higher. So while it may seem logical to run early when the temperatures are lower we actually should look at all the factors. Of course it is not always possible to adjust our schedule, but understanding the different factors helps us to prepare accordingly. In most cases nutrition, hydration and sun screen help to mitigate some factors ever so slightly, but slightly is better. Take the time to know what you are up against! Time to go workout and then off to North Carolina for a couple days. Have a great rest of the week! Mike