r/Marathon_Training • u/Fragrant-Gur2726 • 7h ago
When to skip long run?
Hi everyone. I’m running my first marathon 11/1 NYC marathon.
I live in the Charlotte NC area, and I’m supposed to run 17 miles on Friday before I leave for a trip next week and have a big down week.
Should I still plan to run it with this weather?
I don’t want to get behind bc I’ve been very disciplined so far. For context of my long runs, I’ve completed an 11, 13, 15 and 2 16 mile long runs successfully so far and planned to do a 17 this week, 10 (on vacation),16,18,12,20 and then taper.
I’m worried running in this weather will do more harm than good. Any advice appreciated!
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u/Skycks 7h ago
4:00AM
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u/Fragrant-Gur2726 7h ago
I know. I just don’t feel safe being a woman by myself. But I know it’s my only option
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u/Ray_725 7h ago
Treadmill?
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u/spaceninja9 7h ago
This is the way
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u/NewYorkChess 6h ago
the way to lose your sanity???
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u/spaceninja9 6h ago
Dreadmill miles are better than no miles. Honestly not that bad if you turn on a show
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u/OldSoulCreativity 3h ago
Agree here. It’s very rare, usually only for me on days when ice makes running outside genuinely unsafe, but long miles on the treadmill once in a blue moon can kinda be enjoyable with the right entertainment.
My gym has a dark theater room full of treadmills and they always have a couple movies that rotate throughout the day. I’ve seen some good 90s movies in there that made my day to see again, and also helped get through two hours on the treadmill
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u/mettiusfufettius 5h ago
In the rock paper scissors between murder, heat stroke, and boredom, if I must choose one then I’ll choose boredom
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u/UnprovenMortality 1h ago
As a man who cannot perform well on early morning workouts (<7) treadmill is my savior this week.
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u/Fearless-Salt6682 6h ago
I totally get this. When I lived in Austin and had to do summer long runs, I’d start early on the treadmill and then move outside as soon as the sun started rising
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u/Maverik_10 6h ago
Not trying to disregard how you feel about it at all. But typically it seems the goons aren’t out early in the morning. In my area (DC), early mornings are largely when the women are out running because they don’t feel safe doing so at night.
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u/theprideofvillanueva 6h ago
Okay, I’m a dude and I have no idea what I’m talking about, but I live in a big city, and run through some streets known for high crime, but I always think the hours of 5-7 are the safest, everyone’s sleeping, even the late nighters
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u/Warm-Introduction166 6h ago
Women do not feel this way. Eliza Fletcher was murdered on her 4 AM run.
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u/TraderNate- 4h ago
This. Statistically its not rational for male or females to be afraid of running early in the am. Attacks are rare at that time. There's probably more treadmill accidents per year than people attacked while running in the am.
I live in the highest crime city in Virginia, near a dense crime pocket and have yet to experience violence nor have I read of any attacks on runners period. My sister runs around 5am 4 days a week and has never had any issues.
Plus an added bonus is I know both myself and my sister can out run nearly any random person on foot haha.
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u/Oaknash 2h ago
This is a dumb fucking take. “Statistically”? Let’s see some sources.
Eliza Fletcher was killed running at 4am.
Always nice to see a man positing that it’s safe for women to do something, when they haven’t lived womens’ experiences. /s obviously
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u/saferonald 6h ago
Run with a whistle and pepper spray. Definitely practice using the pepper spray first. And wear lights! Visibility is crucial. If you have a run group in your city, try and join it so you can have a buddy.
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u/therealhobiedoyle 6h ago
If you can find a public track, say at a local high school, it’s a great place for early morning miles
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u/smolLittleTomato 7h ago
I live in a city with regular triple digit heat all summer, and I do most of my long runs on the treadmill. Yes it’s grueling and boring. But it’s either that or get up at 4 AM on a weekend which I am just not wired for so I choose my poison. It’s really not so bad with a decent TV show and then I don’t have to worry about out carrying my hydration and shit with me either.
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u/katstheonlykat 7h ago
Do you have access to a treadmill? I had a run or two where I started outside and did the last bit inside. Less mind numbing than all on the treadmill.
If you have to go outside, I'd recommend a loop where you have plenty of access to supplies and can call it if it gets to be too much.
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u/BatSniper 7h ago
Idk how fast you are going or if your goal is to just finish, but for long runs I mostly see them as time on feet rather than speed trials.
I take my time I’ve even split them into two runs if my schedule demanded it. I try to keep them intact and on schedule if I can but that’s part of the race, problem solving your training. Good luck man! Do what you gotta do to get those miles in
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u/Prize_Advice2664 6h ago
This! Whenever it’s not safe to run a workout at “race pace” I’ll do something like switch mile repeats to 5:00 reps and not focus on the pace. Run the equivalent time that 17 mi would take you on a normal day and call it good, even if it’s only 15 mi or whatever
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u/mssparklemuffins 7h ago
Run in the morning. On extremely hot days I’ll start at 4:45 in the morning. I was looking at the weather there and if you finish by 9:30 it’ll be 81 which is manageable. Use a heat pace adjustment calculator to adjust your pace and be sure to hydrate.
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u/runningsimon 7h ago
Find a friend, start early. Run smaller loops so you can stop back at your car/house for two reason:
- Refill liquids/fuel
- Stop if you need to.
It's supposed to be hot and humid here too this weekend. The heat really does a number on me so I'll keep my loops at 4-5 miles each, giving me ample opportunities to keep as hydrated as I can, or bail if it ain't happening.
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u/Ok_Revolution_9253 7h ago
I live there too. I’m up at 5 am, out the door at 5:30. It really sucks, but at least the sun isn’t beating down. This wave will pass
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u/Alarmed-Arm-4097 7h ago
Day pass at gym and do it there. Make sure you have a banger playlist or iPad because it can only help get through those miles
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u/nopeopleperson 7h ago
For people saying early morning, Charlotte is not a great place to be late/early at night speaking from experience lol
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u/Senior_Let_3775 6h ago
Treadmill. Many of us share in this misery. Sucks but you gotta find a safe way to do it. Queue up entertainment and get it done!
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u/petersenman21 7h ago
Treadmill at the gym. As a guy who likes sleep, I’ve relied on it all summer.
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u/Urdnought 5h ago
I just did a 14 miler at 95F. I had to call my family to come pick me up at mile 10.5 due to heat stress symptoms. Treadmills are boring but I wish I would have done that
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u/username2468_memes 7h ago
if it's not humid this is totally fine weather to run in. not pleasant but if you stay on top of hydration there's no reason it would be dangerous. if it's humid maybe not the best idea
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u/Defiant_Jazz_262 6h ago
You must not live on the east coast if you think there’s the slightest possibility humidity is not a concern
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u/username2468_memes 6h ago
i'm from florida so the typical humidity up the rest of the coast doesn't really phase me
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u/4321yay 5h ago
it was 96% humidity and 75 degrees at 6am my last long run in charlotte. florida must be so bad too
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u/username2468_memes 5h ago
yeah that's still awful. i'm in massachusetts for school and it's just never humid here yet my xc teammates still complain about the supposed humidity
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u/joshf52 7h ago
Also in the Charlotte area training for... Charlotte. I finally started waking up early on my long run days (Sunday) and it's been a gamechanger. I hate losing my extra sleep, but it's been worth it. Even though it's still warm and humid, having the sun not beat down on you for most of the run makes such a big difference. I also purchased a running belt (Naked) and have had 2 500ml soft flasks of water and liquid iv on me (along with gels) and the extra hydration has been very helpful.
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u/NetAncient8677 6h ago
I live in Arizona and it was 100 degrees by the time I finished my last 20 mile run. There’s a park half a mile from my house. I did one mile loops around the park and kept swinging by my house for more ice and water. I also bought a 4 pack of cooling towels I kept in my freezer. I would either shove them in my bra or around my neck to keep me cool. I also bought an insulated water bladder for my hydration vest and kept it full of ice.
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u/drusty_07 6h ago
It looks like it’s still in the 70s til 8am or so. Why not just run in the morning then?
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u/Audible484 6h ago
I drove 2 hours and 20 minutes to get to a beach city and run there for my 20 mile long run recently and it was so worth it. Even at 4am it was already mid 70s where i live so i basically was forced to.
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u/jackdog20 6h ago
Eastern NC here. I have 3 pairs of running shoes and I have to pick the ones that are the least wet to run in.
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u/ZLBuddha 6h ago
Bring a bunch of water/electrolytes and rep a couple mile loop while hydrating regularly, heat training is incredibly good for you if you're able to stay safely hydrated. Looping a short course for a 17 miler isn't super fun but it's way more fun than heatstroke
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u/Ok_Respond3622 6h ago
Well I live down below you in Atlanta. I ran 16 the week before and 12 this past Sunday. All i can tell you is to get started early. I was out at 6am with a flashlight and my pepper spray lol. So I definitely feel your pain!
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u/Electrical_Use2633 6h ago
I'd recommend doing a double day earlier in the week, get 17 total that day. And then if you can go 10-14, depending on how your vacation goes, where it is, etc, that's fine. It's okay to make adjustments, no marathon training will be perfect and you can avoid the dreadmill!
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u/harry_hotspur 6h ago
Just avoid running in peak heat + get an ice bandana, and plan a route with water fountains, or loop from your house/a car.
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u/Intelligent_Yam_3609 5h ago
Plan on being 1-2 minutes per mile slower than your cool run pace and run for an equivalent amount of time.
Hydration is important but also pour water over your head regularly. Find a shady route if you can.
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u/Outside-Bend-5575 4h ago
Run early, take it easy, be careful with water & fuel. It’ll be a hard run but worth it come November
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u/The_krumb 4h ago
First- you cant pick the weather on race day. So heat, cold, rain, sleet, shine you should try to get out there. Now dont overdo it but you have more to gain by training through the elements.
As others have said, id go off early and try and find a route that loops back to your car. This is for the safety you cited and to refill on hydration. Ideally your carrying you fuel as you would on race day but hydration in the heat is essential.
See if any local running clubs have a standing long run on the weekend. Perhaps you can incorporate this in for added safety and route planning
If a club isnt available look at strava heat maps and see if there's a route that fits your milage with water along the route.
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u/ScoreSoggy1363 3h ago
Either go early in the morning, or run on the treadmill. Another option is to start the run on the treadmill and then finish outside when it’s daylight. I’m also a female runner, so I understand not wanting to run when it’s dark outside. I have done double digit runs on treadmills, I just listen to music and zone out. I have friends who will watch TV show shows or movies. Some positives about running on the treadmill is you can keep a consistent pace, there’s always a bathroom nearby, and the monotony helps build mental toughness for race day.
Also, congrats on getting into the NYC marathon! I’m among the million rejects haha
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u/Particular-Panic-112 3h ago
hop on that tread and lock in. download a good long movie you love to your phone or ipad.
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u/VictoryForUpfish 2h ago
I skip em all the time if it's hot or humid. Sucks to run in those conditions and I don't get any joy from it.
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u/doodiedan 2h ago
You might get extreme heat on race day - which happened a few years back at NY. Better to just get it done and remember how it felt and how you dealt with it, just in case you have similar conditions.
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u/HardworkBeatsTalent- 2h ago
Lived in and trained in AZ, i started by running outside by 5am then once the sun is out, i’m on the treadmill.
There were multiple long runs i did solely on the treadmill. Have to pick your battles.
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u/I_wander_and_Im_lost 2h ago
Do you have access to a treadmill? What about doing half outside and half treadmill? Either treadmill super early in the dark before you want to be outside by yourself, or treadmill once it gets too hot.
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u/Lanky_Rhubarb1900 1h ago
Ice, ice, baby.
For real, use ice. Look up various methods and try whatever you can. Ice bandana, sleeves, under the hat. Run loops to restock if needed.
Signed, someone who’s done all her long runs mid-day in Atlanta.
PS: ignore pace, just run at “survival” effort. Walk if you need to. Goal MP can’t really apply here.
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u/genga413 7h ago
Heat training is free fitness. Go outside and take it slow. Cut it short if you have to (something is better than nothing)
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u/Run-Forever1989 6h ago
Just do it. If you can’t finish because of the heat you’ll still get a good workout, maybe better than if you did the full distance is perfect conditions. I’m in Texas and a couple weekends ago did a run in 105F during the afternoon. Jogging at a 10 minute pace felt unbearable but still got the workout in.
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u/Maximum-Nobody6429 7h ago
I ran my 14 miler in -10 degrees this last winter!! And absolutely posted a pic from that run in my insta dump post race bc that’s hardcore as is your heat runs!!
In regard to being safe as a woman, get a nox gear light up vest (pricey, but worth it), carry your phone, and make sure someone knows where you are. Also, maybe keep it a shorter loop close to home if you’re nervous. That way you’re never too far away. I know looping for 17 sounds awful, but it is an option.
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u/YukonCornelius69 6h ago
Smiles per mile. Get one of those silicone ice bandannas and a sun hoody. If you’re somewhat heat conditioned, it’s not too dangerous. Just listen to your body closely
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u/5kUltraMarathoner 5h ago
It’s been summer in Charlotte for a few months now and it’s been hotter. You should be acclimated at this point, just fuel properly.
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u/BossHogGA 7h ago edited 7h ago
At 6:30am it will be 75° days n Charlotte. Do the run then. I wouldn’t skip it if I were you.
It will be similar here. I’ll be running before 7 to get my miles in before the heat gets bad (96° here, feels like 110°)