Chronicles in Running - Part 4: Perfect Conditions

Everyone is different; although the human body is the same for the most part, everyone is different. So we all have our likes and dislikes, what feels good what feels bad. What works for us and our body and what doesn't. What clothes, shoes, bras, underwear, socks, work for our individual body shapes, sizes and types.

In the same respect we each have our ideal preferences for running conditions. I had not realized this but for a good run we have a lot of things that are required. Although one can truly ignore most of these and run anyway, it is but a preference, or makes the run a tiny bit easier. Factors include controllable (controllable by the runner) and uncontrollable factors.

The controllable factors are: 

Sleep - enough sleep the night before is so important. If you only got 5 hours you'll notice the energy is a bit low. One can still run, but it's just a little tougher.

Proper nutrition - eating before a run is not recommended (depending on the distance), but having a bite of a banana or a balanced meal the night before is definitely important. To binge on carbs/ comfort food the night before, doesn't help cause it might increase bloating, lethargy. Although some people think running will help burn that, there might be some logic to that thinking, but a balanced diet always!

Proper hydration - before and during. As you run you get thirsty and by the time you're thirsty you are dehydrated, so it's good to take tiny sips and hydrate before the run.

Bathroom - Frankly, I found peeing and pooping before running, key to my run. In fact, when you have food sitting in your gut, it's harder to run, and almost painful. Pee is not too bad to run with, almost like a motivator to get to the end, however one feels freer to run, after peeing.

Clothing - it's great to have comfy clothing to run in. Including bra, and socks, etc. While running you suddenly realize the bra isn't supportive enough, or it's too tight and hard to breathe in- that can be a problem you don't want to have to deal with. Also clothes weather tight or lose, find something YOU are comfortable running in. You don't want your pants falling off, or your tights riding up your butt crack mid-run. It's easy to deal with, but an annoyance.

Shoes - tie your shoes well, get fitted for your shoes, before your run, so you can avoid blisters, and don't have to tie your laces constantly during the run.

Hair - it helps to have the hair out of your face so you can see.

Other things - it helps to have an insect repellent on (lotion/ oil/ spray) if running in a place with lots of bugs, especially ones that bother/ bite. These can really hinder running. Also lotions and such that prevent chaffing. It can really prevent a lot of pain on a long hot run. Carrying meds or taking meds before the run, ie. if you have seasonal allergies/ asthma, it helps your run ease by rather than struggling to breathe while running.

Uncontrollable factors :

Seasons - the season can affect your performance. You might prefer cooler season (Fall/ Winter), or warmer season (Spring/ Summer) on your body and general like and dislike. I prefer Winter, since there seems to be less chaffing, the sweat doesn't wet the clothes, it's easier to breathe, there are no allergens or bugs. No sun burn. 

Some people prefer Summer, cause there are less layers.

Allergens - in the warm weather allergies are abound, and can affect you, even if you previously had no allergies.

Traffic - there will be places where you run that traffic will be unforgiving, and you just have to look out for yourself. 

Road/ pavement conditions - there may be potholes, cracks, uneven sidewalk conditions on your run, be wary, alert and safe.

Other people's pets - so on your run, other people's animals might come after you, it's kind of scary sometimes. Sometimes they are friendly but others maybe territorial. BE careful, and maybe look up on how to deal with that.

Animals/Insects - Insects can be a real bother, gnats being breathed in by mistake, to being bitten by mosquitoes, flies flying in your face... wear bug spray if you know it's bug season. Animals maybe abound if running on a trail in the woods. Snakes often like to lay in the middle of the trail in summer on a warm sunny patch, watch out don't freak out. Deer, and other animals maybe around depending on where in the world you are running, they may be in the way or might jump out of no where or may run after you, so be wary.

Weather - rain can be a real bother, not only does it make it dull, but you're also wet, the trails get muddy, shoes get wet, not fun. However, it still is a situation we can deal with. Snow is great to run in because it's softer on the knees, but does make it harder if the snow is too deep. Ice is a very bad idea just because it can be slippery and one can fall and sustain injuries. Hail and other forms of hard precipitation can be injurious to the head, so I'd avoid that! Sunshine is great but remember sunscreen!

Terrain - be prepared, and research the terrain you will be running. Wear the right shoes- trail running shoes/ beach running, track, vs. road.

Sounds / noise - you might like your music blaring in the head phones, but I recently love running in the quiet listening to my breathe. Other times I enjoy listening to fellow runners talk! It's one thing we can't control so if you know it's going to be noisy find ear plugs, or head phones (if on an indoor track), otherwise due to safety reasons and road running, definitely use common sense! (one head phone in the ear). 

All things considered, enjoy your run, and remember it's always tough to find the "ideal" condition, place to run in, but eventually you'll get used to all these circumstances, and it's good to learn with all these various circumstances (makes for good stories).

Breathe!