Florida is HOT for runners

For the past several months, my mornings have started before the sun is up. Training for a marathon in the late summer and early fall in Florida is brutal to say the least. By 8:30 am, it is already boiling and that makes it much harder to run long distance. I haven’t minded the idea of waking up early several times a week, but it sure is very different to train in Florida compared to Manhattan. Although it is sometimes tough to wake up when it is still dark outside, how I feel after my long runs make up for it. I do believe in runner’s high because I experience it every time I go for a jog. In regard to Manhattan, during the fall months the temperature in New York is perfect to run in. It is typically in the 50’s and 60’s. The fall in New York is known as perfect running weather. Also, New York has a much higher elevation compared to Florida. When I am home, there is a good balance between flat, medium hills, and big hills to climb. Originally, when I signed up to run this marathon, I was worried because of how differently my training would be in Florida. I was used to the hot weather in the summer in New York, but I also relied on the hills to increase my tolerance for running longer distances. I was really worried about not having many hills here because the race consists of many. I realized that the running conditions here were almost, if not harder. Having really hot conditions has made a huge impact in my speed, unfortunately making me go much slower. Even though I go much slower here, it makes my tolerance for running distances at home much easier. I have also found alternatives to hills in Florida. Within my cross training, I have used a stair master, climbing bleachers, and even using elevation gain on treadmills to help me train for hills. Before I started training for this marathon, I felt like I would be unprepared for this race because of the drastic change in running conditions, but now since it is so soon, I feel more than prepared. Tampa has helped me with not only running in tough conditions but has shown me alternate routes in my training regimen. Has anyone had any past experience in running in hot conditions and has had successful results in cooler weather? Please let me know!!

An example of running conditions can be seen in this picture below. This was taken before the Gasperilla Half Marathon race began at 5 am. Most running races do not begin this early but because of the weather conditions in Florida they do.