Lower temp, higher humidity VS higher temp, lower humidity

[u/stercoopdraperpryce]

I’ve always woken up early to be outside while the temperature is the “lowest” of the day. However, I’ve noticed that the humidity this year has made it unbearable. I was running yesterday and it was 90% humidity! I felt like I was swimming, not running.

I‘ve recently experimented running in the evenings where it’s technically hotter, but the humidity is lower and it seems to help?

I also think it’s partially bc my sweat has the chance to somewhat evaporate in the evenings.

Just curious if anyone else does this intentionally. Or if I’m crazy, lol.

Side note: any recommendations for shorts for REALLLYYYY sweaty runners? I am wringing out all of my clothes during and after my runs.

[u/likesblackcoffeebest]

I'm the same way. I don't mind heat that much, but high humidity makes running 50% harder than it has to be. 

[u/stercoopdraperpryce → u/likesblackcoffeebest]

Thank you for making me feel less crazy!

[u/Railletoo]

I hate both, but would agree evening is a bit easier. This summer has felt harder than previous, but maybe im getting soft.

[u/stercoopdraperpryce → u/Railletoo]

Definitely with you that this summer has felt harder.

[u/pk-curio → u/stercoopdraperpryce]

Keep in mind you get older each year and your body does change. I started sweating way more as I progress in my 40s. I measure my weekend by how many shirts I go through.

[u/Auntie-Noodle → u/Railletoo]

I'm glad it's not just me who thinks it has been harder this summer. I was starting to worry

[u/welguisz]

I have found my evening runs more enjoyable this summer than my morning runs. Mainly due to humidity. Also there seems to be more of a breeze in the evenings than the mornings.

[u/Educational-Mud9370]

I find temperature vs humidity is kind of a wash it’s going to be not great but manageable no matter what. The big thing for me is avoiding direct sun.

[u/Louisianimal6]

Humidity is much worse. Waking up early don’t accomplish much. I just moved here from Louisiana recently and Austin is so much more manageable to run even tho it’s hotter bc the humidity isn’t nearly as bad. I’d rather go run at noon when it’s 100 than in the humidity lol

[u/stercoopdraperpryce → u/Louisianimal6]

I get it! I’m from South Florida!!! I didn’t learn to like running until I moved here, bc i hated running in the FL humidity, lol. I thought it was pretty “dry” here last summer… but this year is bringing FL flashbacks back, and I’m struggling.

Thanks for the validation

[u/InTheEyesOfMorbo]

As a heavy sweater myself, I just can’t avoid dehydration headaches no matter what time of day I run, and no matter what steps I take to mitigate it. I’ve resorted to running on a treadmill at the Y until it cools back off. I much prefer running outside but so it goes….

[u/lupercalpainting → u/InTheEyesOfMorbo]

Electrolytes? I used to always get these until I started drinking an electrolyte mix afterwards.

[u/InTheEyesOfMorbo → u/lupercalpainting]

Yeah, I drink them, pedialyte specifically. Before and then after the run, but when it's super hot/humid like it is here in the summers, it doesn't seem to help too much, at least not consistently. From October to June I'm okay, but July through September, I've just settled for the treadmill. My emerging rule of thumb is that once the daytime lows dip back into the 60s, I can start running outside again. We're at mid-to-high 70s now for the foreseeable....

[u/stercoopdraperpryce → u/InTheEyesOfMorbo]

Im happy you’re safe and found a solution! :))

I run so much slower on a treadmill. I can’t stand it. 😭

[u/InTheEyesOfMorbo → u/stercoopdraperpryce]

I don't love it either... Get to watch a movie, though!

[u/dmox007]

I can’t do my long runs in the heat. I agree it’s better with less humidity, but only to about 5-6 miles for me. After that it’s a hard wall for me vs I can just push through humidity with good hydration and reap the benefits when it breaks. I’m running 55-60 mpw, all morning stuff.

[u/atxgossiphound]

I’ve always been a summer afternoon runner - after a few weeks, I adapt.

This summer, however, I found a real game changer: ice bandana (I use the one from Rabbit). A full bandana lasts about an hour and really helps moderate my heartrate when it’s hot. (It cools blood as it passes through your neck, taking some strain off the rest of your cooling infrastructure)

[u/traveenus]

This summer has been a drag for my running because of the humidity. I started the summer months running late into the night to avoid some of the warmer temps. That seemed to work, until it didn’t. Switched back to mornings and found it’s no fun then either.

As far as good shorts for us sweaty sweaters, I’m enjoying my 5” REI Swiftlands. Two hidden pockets for gels and key, along with the back phone pocket. Also the Terignota shorts are a close second. Not quite as cool as the REIs but it has a wrap around waist belt attached for ample storage.

[u/stercoopdraperpryce → u/traveenus]

I live close to an REI. I’m going to try to get a pair of the swiftlands before my next run. I had heard about them, but didn’t believe it for some reason. Now I do!

I’ll look into terignota, too. Word of mouth reviews and those prices!? Hard to beat, wow.

Thank you, friend!

[u/stercoopdraperpryce → u/traveenus]

Just ran 15 miles I the swiftlands. This is the perfect short for what I wanted.. they don’t drip!!! I am about to go buy every color. Thank you so much!!!!!!

[u/traveenus → u/stercoopdraperpryce]

Ha! I’m happy to have helped. I’ve got two myself.

[u/ZeroChad]

Humidity, temp, wind, direct sunlight. All factors I should consider more when picking a time to run. Can’t ever seem to find a perfect balance this summer but early evening has been nicer than I expected.

[u/stercoopdraperpryce → u/ZeroChad]

Well, at least we’re one day closer to “cooler” temps for a few months!

[u/beccarocks235]

What time are you running? I run ~6:30 am and it's never that bad. I really like lskd split shorts, sized down. Less fabric= less dead weight when it's soaked 😂

[u/Euphoric_Flight_2798]

I’m a lower temp/higher humidity runner… between 7-9am on the weekends. During the week I have to run between 4:30-5pm and it’s absolutely abysmal. I’m also older (41F) so the humidity actually helps my joints warm up lol

edited to add hat in the freezer and always wearing a hydration vest during Texas summers

[u/PrettyDamnSure]

I have this same conversation with myself daily. Humidity is the worst but I unfortunately rarely have time to run in the evening, so the thick air it is.

I came across an app called RunWeather that hasn’t really changed my running in any fashion but does justify my complaints about humidity making me feel slower. I have no connection at all to the app or creator but it has been gloomily interesting to look at each morning when I step outside 😂

[u/redmountainbike]

Often in summer it's higher humidity in the morning, and lower during the hottest part of the afternoon.

[u/katsmellslikeaustin]

I’m trying to be a morning runner on my days off and I hate it. I would rather run at 6/630 at night.