TGIF!
We are ending the week with the Friday Five 2.0, hosted by Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy.
Be sure to link up with your own posts, and visit our hosts and other bloggers in the group!
On this February 17, we are talking about
Ok. In all fairness, living in Florida means that I don’t really have room to rant too much about winter. Our coldest night this year saw temperatures in the very high 20s. We’ve had a light first. The heat has been on. But that’s about it. However, Florida winters do come with their own list of minor annoyances, and in the spirit of the link up, I’m going to share mine.
Pollen.
I don’t know what’s blooming (or why), but allergies and sinus infections are at an all-time high. The cars and patio furniture are coated with yellow and green dust. Running is hard enough, but not being able to breathe properly makes it even more challenging. It would be really nice to have a break from it.
Storms.
Even though hurricane season is over, we still have some nasty storms. We have had torrential downpours, lightning, power outages, strong winds, and more tornado warnings than I care to count (including one touchdown not too far away from my house).
Northeners avoid going out in snow, Floridians try not to head out in the rain. It’s just the way it is.
Humidity.
While we’re on the topic of weather… Humidity seems to have become a year-round complaint. We expect it in the summer, but winter humidity is its own beast. For some reason, humid cold is colder than regular cold. Ironically, it seems to make you sweat more, which ends up making you even colder, and it’s just a huge mess. Not a fan.
Short days.
Our days probably are a little longer than in regions north of us, but I still don’t like late sunrises and early sunsets. It messes with my body clock and my emotions. I’m fairly sure I’m not the only one who gets down from the additional darkness. I feel like I’m always running in the dark, and it would be nice to benefit from some of our beautiful sunrises, and get to see more of the sights along the way.
Jealousy.
I was born and raised in New Jersey, and I confess to missing snowy winters. I mean, the fresh, crisp, new-fallen snow. Not the sludgey, mucky old snow that’s been driven on.
There’s a difference.
I know it would get old fast, and my toes would be soggy and frozen, but there is something about the shine of a new day on the crust of a fresh snow. The air seems cleaner, and possibilities seem endless.
I really can’t complain too much. At least not until July, when the sharks start migrating close to the coast, the love bugs start loving and the air is so thick you can cut it with a knife. We’ll need to reprise this with a “Five Summer Running Rants” at that point.
What are your winter running rants?
Do you prefer winter or summer for fitness?
Summer!!!
I hate the ice and snow and no where safe to run and ALL the clothes you have to wear.
Darlene recently posted…Friday Five 2.0 – Winter: Grumble Grumble Grumble
You do have to layer A LOT. And I bet it all gets soggy pretty quickly.
I can’t rant this year because we’re not really having a winter here in Chicago this year. We are snow free and mild! Praying we don’t pay for that…
You can rant a little if you want. Although I’m sure it’s nice to have a mild winter.
I prefer running in the winter. I have horrible allergies and I have an allergy to the sun, so I really hate summer running!
A sun allergy is tough! You would really struggle here. Conversely, my stepdad is allergic to cold!
The shorter days are what really get me. It’s so hard to wake up in the morning!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…Goals For Disney Princess Weekend
I know. I just want to stay in bed under all my blankets when it’s dark outside.
lol yes you really can’t rant about the winter can you?! I don’t really mind it too much as this year is so mild
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…A few of my favorite things-making my own Skirt Box
I can rant a little!
I much prefer summer over winter. If I didn’t see snow ever again I think I’d be ok with that…haha.
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Winter Rants
Some snow can be so pretty.
I will join you for the summer rants! I am fine with never running in the snow but dang that July humidity! WHEW!
Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…Hey baby, what’s your sign? Stitch Fix fashion!
July, August and September are the worst. You probably have it even harder because you are farther inland. We have the breeze off the ocean, which helps.
POLLEN?! Wow that’s so odd. That’s the last thing I’m thinking about right now. 😉
And I feel you about the snow. If it’s gonna be cold, there at least better be some white fluffy stuff to show for it. You can come visit any time!
Rachel recently posted…Winter Running is Hard… and Worth It
Tell me about it! My eyes are an itchy mess right now!
The short, dark days really get me down this time of year. I generally wait until the afternoon to run, but I don’t run in the dark alone, so it’s always a challenge to get my miles in.
The Accidental Marathoner recently posted…The Calming Effects of Running
Afternoon just doesn’t work with my schedule (except for the days I go to run club with little man). I am all about the dark, early mornings for running, but it can be rather dismal.
I much prefer summer to winter (because you can always slow down and walk if you get too hot…in the cold? you just get colder LOL) And that humid cold air is totally a buzz kill….although our cold &humid air is much colder in Iowa, it really makes the coldness MUCH more frigid and noticeable.
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…What’s there to rant about???
I assure you. There is plenty of slowing down and walking here LOL!
Its much different for you guys in Florida! I feel like I cant really complain this winter because our winter in Maryland has been pretty mild. We have had some cold days but nothing like we usually get in the winter.
Lisa @ Mile by Mile recently posted…Cardio and Strength Interval Workout
Very different! But it comes with its own unique challenges.
I’ve had issues with allergies in Florida in the winter. I always chalked it up to a change of scenery!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Book Review: My Marathon: Reflections on a Gold Medal Life by Frank Shorter
I never had allergies in NJ or South Florida. When I moved here, everything changed. It stinks.
I’m definitely a winter runner. I hate running when it’s 100* and matching humidity…
MCM Mama Runs recently posted…Find the perfect skirt with the Skirt Box
I hate that, too. Add in blazing sun and I am all done.
I prefer summer way more than winter. I like to workout outdoors early morning and see the sunrise. Winter is just too cold and dark for me. I don’t like cold weather, period. I lived in South Florida for a few years and didn’t miss winter one little bit! 😀
Michelle Rogers recently posted…Portable audio equipment for a group exercise class that rocks!
Winter sunrises here are still quite pretty. But the darkness gets tiring after a while.
I so much prefer winter over the heat of summer. We don’t really have a lot of humidity in Montana so it’s a dry heat, but it still kicks my butt. I will take cold and snow any day over anything above 70 degrees for running. I am kind of a wimp that way
Montana is on my list of places to run, for sure. I don’t like running above 70 either, but I don’t have much of a choice.
We’ll send some snow if you can send us some warm temps 🙂
I actually don’t mind humidity at all but I am sure I would if I had to run in it all the time!
Sandra Laflamme recently posted…Running Safety in the Dark and {RunLites Mitten Review}
Deal.
Reasonable humidity is fine. However, there are days when I start sweating the second I walk outside, which is just too much. And the air is so dang thick. It’s tough.
Oh, man, give me the summer any day. Even with asthma, running in the humidity is so much easier on my lungs than winter cold. Which is why I hate winter so much, so that’s my rant. The short days, too. I can’t wait for the time to change so I can start adjusting my schedule for morning runs again.
Oh, I imagine the humidity is much better for you. Asthma is a tough one.
I too hate the short days. I hate having to rush home from work to cram my run in before the sun starts to set. I can’t wait for the days to be longer again so that I can be more leisurely about my after work runs.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Friday Five – Potpourri v. 18
I run in the mornings, so it’s a little different for me. Right now, it’s so dark, and I am ready for bed at 7:30. Summer will be better.
I have no winter rants, I too love and Florida and or lows in the early morning were like 38degrees, but lunch time it’s 70.
Toni recently posted…Change Nothing And Nothing Changes
It’s kind of tough to complain about that.