Summer has arrived around here, and it seems like every runner either loves it or hates it. For those of you who hate it, you’re probably tired of hearing me talk about how I love summer running! The truth is that as much as I love it, I definitely do my share of complaining as the months go on. I thought this was a good time to highlight all the reasons why I love summer running. I plan to look back of this when I’m struggling with summer running. Maybe you can do the same!
Longer hours of daylight
There’s so much more time to run! Morning runners can get out when the sun is already coming up; evening runners have more time to run at the end of the day. Running in the daylight just feels a little easier than running in the dark!
Easier to wake up in the morning
Going along with that, it’s easier to wake up in the morning when it’s already starting to get light out! Ok, if I’m being honest I am still usually waking up in the dark when my alarm goes off at 4-4:30. But most people sleep until at least 5 and can wake up to a little daylight!
More runners and walkers out and about
No matter what time of day you run, you’re more likely to see other runners and walkers when it’s warm out. Even early in the morning more people are out in the summer months.
Easier to get dressed
Wearing one layer is much easier than wearing 3-4. Better yet, just wear a sports bra. I find summer running clothes to be so much more comfortable, probably because there is less of them that need to be worn!
Less laundry
Less layers=less laundry, and that’s always a win. Especially when you have multiple runners in your house!
Nothing getting in the way of your headphones
I only wear my headphones once a week when I do my long run. But during the winter it is SO annoying to wear headphones, a headlamp, and whatever sort of hat or headband is needed to keep you warm. Every time I put on my headphones now without a headband I’m like “wow, that was easy!”
Get some sun
Of course we should all be wearing sunscreen when we are out running. But even with sunscreen on it feels good to get some sun. It also lightens up my hair which is nice because its been like 3 years since I got highlights.
Hydrate with cold drinks
Doesn’t hydrating feel so much more enjoyable in the summer? I love coming home from a hot, sweaty run and chugging some ice water, Nuun, Liquid IV, or Gatorade. I actually have a much easier time staying hydrated in the summer because during the winter I might forget to drink as much water.
Run through the sprinklers
Isn’t it fun to run through the sprinklers during a hot summer run?
Run with family and friends
I bet you’re more likely to get your friends and family to run with you during the summer. As a mom who does stroller runs, it’s much easier to get out for a run when you don’t have to get yourself in layers AND your toddler.
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Show off your tan lines
You’ve got to be proud of those watch and shorts tan lines! Maybe we will even have places to go this summer to show them off.
Get in a good sweat
There’s nothing like finishing a workout and being covered in sweat. It makes me feel like I worked harder. I guess another bonus is that I’m more likely to shower quickly after finishing my run!
Summer miles= Faster fall times
All those runs in the summer heat will pay off for fall races. I think that’s why I love fall marathons. As hard as it is to train in the summer, it feels so much easier to race when it cools off in the fall.
Running in the summer rain is enjoyable
A rainy run when it’s 30 degrees? No thank you. A rainy run when it’s 70 degrees? That sounds nice! The warmer it is, the better the rain feels.
You may also like: 9 Tips for Running in the Rain
More options for where to run
Sometimes the winter weather can limit the places we can run. In the summer there are more trails and you don’t need to worry about ice!
Run on vacation
Another bonus is being able to run somewhere new if you go on a summer vacation! I love summer running at the beach when I go away.
No guessing about the weather
As hard as it is to wake up every day knowing it’s going to be hot and humid once again, it’s kind of nice to know what to expect. You can always just wear shorts and a tank top. Unless it’s going to storm, you can probably run outside. The winter is full of unknowns with the weather and you may need to wear anywhere from 2-4 layers.
Run with the sunrise
There’s nothing like getting to see the sunrise during a run! Summer is such a nice time for this. If you’re not a morning runner maybe you can get in a sunset run.
It’s easier to bring/find water
Many areas have water fountains that get turned on in the summer months. If you plan to carry your own water, I find it’s easier to do so in the summer. In the winter I already have too many layers on so I don’t want to add my hydration pack. Sometimes I bring a handheld, but that’s annoying to carry with gloves. And if the bottle happens to drip, it feels so cold! None of these are concerns during the summer.
It always feels good when the weather finally cools off!
The big payoff to running in the summer is getting to appreciate the cooler days. They will come eventually, even if it feels like the heat will never end!
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Summer running: do you love it or hate it?
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Now it’s time for the Runners’ Roundup! Link up your running and fitness posts below! Join myself, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Runs with Pugs , and Laura Norris Running to post your favorite running tips, experiences, race and training recaps, workouts, gear, and coaching ideas.
You have some good ones, Lisa! I love summer running for all your reasons.
Fewer clothes, less laundry, more daylight and more SWEAT! I love being covered in sweat after a run, it gives me the feeling I have worked hard.
Do you have a fall race lined up yet?
Haha I actually love the feeling of being sweaty after a run too! No, I haven’t figured out a race yet. I keep going back and forth about what I want to do!
I agree with all your reasons for loving summer running. It’s good to put a positive spin on it–I mean, we really don’t have any other choice. We may as well enjoy it!
Very true! I just need to remember these things in August when I am feeling totally done with the heat and humidity!
I agree totally. I love the summer. Especially for all flowers and waterfalls. Nature is so beautiful in the summer. And as someone who works full time it helps to have the daylight before and after. The best part is no layers. Can get dressed to run in minutes.
Yep, its so much easier to get dressed in the summer! And I agree, there are so many nice things to see outside this time of year.
Yes to everything!! A perk that I had not thought of, until recently (an you also mentioned it) is with the heat and humidity of summer, there’s no guessing on what to wear. With the winter weather, it’s either (1)cold, (2)very cold, (3)windy and cold, or (4)surprisingly pleasant…and it’s a constant guessing game on layers.
Yes! I love that the night before a run I can just pull out shorts and a tank top and know I will be good in that. In the winter I have like 3 options ready because you never know what you will wake up to!
Yes to everything!! A perk that I had not thought of, until recently (an you also mentioned it) is with the heat and humidity of summer, there’s no guessing on what to wear. With the winter weather, it’s either (1)cold, (2)very cold, (3)windy and cold, or (4)surprisingly pleasant…and it’s a constant guessing game on layers.
okay so it’s my 4th favorite season to run in! I do like the longer days and it is easier to get up in the morning yes. I am not totally comfortable yet running in a sports bra but I am working on it. I am making a huge effort this summer to keep my mileage up as all of my races are in the fall now. Let’s see if those summer miles pay off!
Now that I have some Brooks bras that I really like I have been running in those. But this week with the cicadas being everywhere I need to be covered up lol!
I’m sure your hard work this summer will pay off in the fall!
I love summer running too! So many perks to running in the summer! And running on vacation is the best!!!
Yes! I love running in new places, especially by the water!
I love summer for its blue skies and just general feeling of optimism and vacation that it brings! But in terms of running, I prefer cool weather. Where I am it’s very humid and that is the part I find uncomfortable. I’m still trying to get used to it.
It can be really uncomfortable to run in the heat! I think I just prefer it over the extreme cold that we sometimes get in the winter.
We’re going to have to agree to disagree about this one! I do like that it’s a lot easier to dress, and feels so freeing — but even then, sometimes I actually end up with more laundry because I’m changing several times a day (run, yoga, strength work, or just sweating through whatever I’m wearing).
I don’t procrastinate as much at getting out there, though, and I do like that there is a much wider choice of where to run.
Enjoy, Lisa!
Haha totally fine to agree to disagree! I’m actually surprised your the first person to push back on this. Interesting point about more laundry. I think that happens to us on the weekends.
Wow, you’re good! I can see listing five or ten things to love about summer running, but you came up with 20, and they’re all true. The only one I’ll question is the tan lines though- yesterday for my son’s graduation I wore a dress and “real” shoes for the first time in… 15 months? I had major sock tan line going on, and it wasn’t a good look!
I mean the tan lines aren’t always a good thing. Like for my wedding I remember being desperate to get rid of the ones from my sports bra! (I got married in November and somehow I still had them by then!)
I love your comment about there being more people out! That’s so true. It’s winter here and that’s one thing I’ve realised – fewer people on the road! So summer definitely has a greater sense of camaraderie!
It’s so nice to see more people out, especially early in the morning!
It’s so funny to me, because summer running is so different for everyone. I like it, because I don’t have a choice. However, right now, it’s pretty brutal out there, which means we need to start getting up an hour earlier to beat the sun and the worst of the heat.
Glad you love it!
I’m sure summer is so much more intense for you! I think one of the reasons I like it is because we have to deal with the extreme cold for so long in the winter.
I love all these reasons (and reminders) to love summer running. Some don’t apply to me because I live in a mild climate but I agree with them nonetheless.
It’s such a great time of year for running!
I dislike the humidity, but other than that I enjoy summer running. It’s nice to have so much light in the mornings and not need to bundle up!
So true! At this point I feel like the humidity is just part of summer. Its so rare that we don’t have high humidity that when it drops at all it feels like a nice treat.