Four Seasons in One Day
It’s time to begin that all-important last-minute race prep activity: obsessing about the weather. For me, this activity is made more challenging and complex by the fact that I’ve never run a marathon and have no idea what ideal race-day weather would be.
Yesterday, for example, the forecast called for scattered showers, with a high of 22 degrees Celsius (or 71 degrees F) and a low of 6 degrees C (or 43 degrees F). That sounded okay, if “scattered showers” meant occasional refreshing sprinkles of slightly-less-than-body-temperature water droplets. But if it means cold, driving, relentless rain, forget it. I’ll hold out for something better.
This morning, the forecast said sunny with no cloud cover and a high of 23 degrees C. That could be okay, too, though a bit of shade would be nice. Also, that’s getting dangerously close to hot weather – not a good thing for a runner whose last event was called the “hypothermic half”.
You might argue that there’s no point in worrying since there’s nothing I can do about it. Good one.
Well, there's nothing you can do about....oh, wait. Never mind. Obsess away. That's what everyone else - inclduing me - does anyhow.
Good luck!
Posted by: Nitmos | May 21, 2008 at 09:59 AM
I'm doing my first marathon on Sunday, and the weather shows a high of 78 F. I am FREAKING OUT, and totally understand your pain :)
Posted by: Laura | May 22, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Oh Laura, I sympathize. The forecasted high for Sunday in Ottawa continues to climb. Yet my last two runs were in weather so cold I was wearing long pants and a jacket. I think a little freaking out might just be a rite of passage for us first-timers, though. Best of luck to you!
Posted by: Reluctant Runner | May 22, 2008 at 10:27 PM