There are certain things that I talk about all the time when it comes to running. Most often it’s the the weather. And as I said on Instagram the other day, sometimes I tend to focus on the bad parts of a run or the runs that don’t go well. Most runs have good parts and bad parts. Some are just better than others. As I was thinking about this I decided that there are 5 factors that can make or break a run for me.
5 Factors That Can Make or Break a Run
1. Make or Break a Run with the Weather
Let’s start with the most obvious. We all have our preferred running weather. For me it’s right around 45-55 degrees. If I’m racing I prefer it to be a little cooler. No wind, no rain, maybe a little sunshine. On days like that I feel like I can run forever!
2. Running on Good Terrain
I am not a huge fan of hills, but they are unavoidable where I live. I’ve learned to appreciate slight rolling hills just to keep my legs guessing. But those big, monster hills that take your breath away? No thanks.
3. Make or Break a Run with Scenery
Have you ever gone on vacation and had the chance to run somewhere with perfect scenery? I feel like those kinds of runs just fly by. Around where I live the scenery is nothing special, so I appreciate the times when I get to run somewhere different.
4. Wear the Right Gear
If I have the right gear, I barely notice it. If I have the wrong gear, it can completely derail a run. Chafing, blisters, or feeling too hot/cold can all be side effects from wearing the wrong gear. I try not to make the same mistake more than once, but it happens.
5. How my Body is Feeling
Some days my legs feel loose and ready to run. Other days they feel more like lead. Sometimes this might be due to high levels of training or a tough workout the day before. But other times there’s no rhyme or reason to a tired body. If something is tired, achy, or feeling “off”, running can be a real struggle. The mental side is huge too. Being in the right mindset can get you though even the toughest run.
You may also like:
Weekly Recap for the Week of 4/26-5/2
Scenes From The Weekend And Weekly Recap
Thinking about Races, Groceries, and Rain Records
What factors will make or break a run for you?
What is your ideal running weather?
Ever make a big mistake with running gear that you regret?
Weather is a deal breaker for me! I have a hard time in the cold.
The weather is such a huge factor for so many runners!
When a run isn’t going well, it’s hard to get out of a negative mindset! For me, the biggest buzz kill is the wind. I can handle just about anything but when the wind is relentless, it just saps my mojo.
I totally hear you on the wind! Sometimes I feel like its just pushing me backwards and that is so defeating.
All of this is SO TRUE! I think weather is the biggest factor. But then again I love those surprise runs where you think the weather isn’t the greatest but you end up having a great run anyway!
Thanks for linking up!
Thats true! Sometimes I expect a run to go bad because of the weather but it ends up going well.
I think weather is the biggest factor for me here. Now that it’s cold I find myself SO grateful for my thermal running gear and trail shoes. They made all the difference in the snow yesterday!
The right gear makes such a difference when running in extreme weather!
Wow! You run barefoot on the beach? That’s impressive. I could never do that for any distance at all. I think my calves get worn out. It would be fun to do, though. Great scenery.
I didn’t do my whole run barefoot- just a few strides at the end:) I’m sure it would kill my calves too!
Weather definitely can make or break a run. If the conditions are not ideal for running outside I will just forgo it and do the treadmill instead. Hate setting myself up for disappointment from the start….ha.
It’s nice to have the treadmill as an option rather than be miserable outside in bad weather!
45-55 is also my perfect run temp. I prefer not to run on concrete sidewalks too much impact over time. Sometimes I have no idea why some runs are great and some are awful. Hormones maybe?
It’s so true that sometimes there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to a bad run. I’m sure there are factors at play that we may just not be aware of!
I’m not sure if there’s any one factor that throws me off…but if there are multiple factors at play, then UGH.
Yes definitely! I can usually deal with one thing not going right, but multiple things can really add up and make a run miserable.
Perfect running weather involves no wind :-p I can handle a lot of cooler/cold temps without the wind, but that wind just bites through whatever layers I’m wearing and makes me miserable.
I totally agree about the wind! Especially when it’s also really cold out.
I think the only thing that really makes or breaks my run is my body. I’m always scared of a new pain or niggle preventing me from future runs.
That’s a big one for me too! And I feel like I live in fear of an injury popping up.
Weather is a big one for me. Not as much for regular running but race day can bring alot of stress and the weather is a huge unpredictable component. For me 40s-low 50s with almost no wind and slight over cast! Thats unicorn race weather.
Yes! We can only hope for perfect weather on race day but it rarely ever happens.
I wholly agree on all of this — but especially the scenery. Sometimes it’s an even better distraction than music
Definitely! I don’t even run with music anymore so good scenery is all the distraction I need.
I’m with you on the weather! I prefer some hills to a flat course — I think I need the change of pace/effort that rolling hills provide. Steep hills can suck though. 😉 Scenery is definitely a plus, but I enjoy city skylines too.
As much as I complain about running uphill, I think my body really appreciates the downhills and the change in terrain.
Weather can be soul-crushing for me. I really don’t do well at all with summer running, especially in the heat and humidity, so that really affects my runs. I also agree with you about scenery. I tend to run the same route a lot and have started to get super bored. I’m going to try some different running routes this winter.
It’s been nice to enjoy the cooler weather lately, although there have been a few days when the wind has been rough!
I agree with all of these, Lisa, but especially #5 is what REALLY makes or breaks a run for me.
How we feel on a run, both mentally and physically, can make such a huge impact on how the run goes overall.