Talk About the Weather

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Running in the Northwest means running in weather. Part of what is unique (and uniquely frustrating) about living in the return address corner of the country is that we get just about every form of weather the jet stream can throw at us. More unique is that our position at the edge of the world makes weather forecasting more difficult here than just about anywhere in the country. So while we wait for forecasting science to catch up with our reality (and for NOAA to build radar stations on the coast) the Northwest runner simply has to be prepared for anything.

As I write this, it is about 30 degrees outside. But the air is still and dry. Great running weather, right? Sure is if you prepare for it correctly, which I never manage to do. I always over-dress for the cold, and then after 2 miles I’m sweating through my clothes, which of course makes me colder as the sweat evaporates and the cold wind cuts into my skin. You’d think I’d learn…

Beat cold weather by protecting your digits and your skull, not by bulking up. If your torso and your extremities are warm, you’re fine. Every fall, I buy a dozen or so pairs of cheap cotton gloves at the local dollar store. I also keep on hand a collection of ugly but warm hats that I won’t cry about losing. After a mile or two, I can peel off the gloves and the hat, cram them into my pockets and keep going. On an out and back route, I stash them behind a sign post or something and try to remember to grab them on the way back.

But cold isn’t the main concern for most Northwest runners (except those east of the Cascades). If you are going to log any serious miles or be at all consistent as a runner around here, you had better get used to going out in weather that keeps fishermen inside.

Really, running in the rain isn’t that bad so long as you’re prepared for it. Most runners, as in the cold, overdress for rain. Too many runners see the rain and think they have to hide themselves from it. It’s just water! Unless it’s truly cold out, which it rarely is during rainy weather, let your skin do its thing. Your epidermis is waterproof, you know. No tights in the rain. Rock those bare legs. And don’t do too much layering. You’ll come back soaked through to the skin, but it won’t be rain water. That rain slicker you’re wearing keeps the water out, but it also keeps the sweat in. Rainy weather is time for the compression tops and mid-weight technical clothing. Layers just soak up water and make you colder. The main concern in wet weather is chaffing. Wet socks lead to blisters. Wet shirts lead to the dreaded bleeding nipples. Wet shorts…well. You get the point. Your best defense is lubrication. Be generous with the Body Glide in wet weather. Trust me.

It’s true that if you run west of the mountains, you’re going to get wet. Sorry. But you can minimize your exposure if you have a little flexibility of schedule and an internet connection. While the long and medium range forecasts here are frustratingly vague, local weather radar is spot-on accurate and darn useful. Sure, there’s a 100% chance of rain today, but that doesn’t mean it will rain all day in your neighborhood. In fact, I can almost guarantee that it won’t.

By checking the live weather radar, you can watch the heavy rain move (usually) from south to north and either get out before it hits you or after it has passed. A lot of times there is a nice clearing out after heavy downpours that make for dry running and excellent puddle stomping.

The base source for weather information, NOAA, has a good live radar at this link:
http://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?rid=ATX

Or try the Intellicast radar site:
http://www.intellicast.com/National/Radar/Metro.aspx?location=USWA0395

For more excellent reading about Northwest weather, there is no better source than Cliff Mass, the undisputed leader in Northwest meteorology. His book, The Weather of the Pacific Northwest will teach you how to watch the weather like never before. And his blog, cleverly titled “Cliff Mass Weather Blog” is a great daily read. http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/

In the end, you’re a Northwest Runner. And that means getting out there in the weather. Run hard. Have fun. Don't forget to tip your columnist.

This column appears in the February 2011 issue of Northwest Runner Magazine