I am not particularly crazy about living in South Florida. For an outdoor enthusiast, the cement jungle with too many people and too many cars has little to offer. But one thing that I have always liked about this place, is its weather. And right now, it’s getting better and better, it’s almost perfect…. perfect for an outdoor runner.

The optimal running temperature has been shown to hover around 55ºF. Anything below or above that point affects how we perform. Having run through the mid of the summer, makes me already feel that current low 60′s is just about ideal. Under hotter conditions, the body needs to “work” to cool off. To cool off, it produces sweat, which costs us energy that otherwise could be spent on running. It also depletes us from fluids and electrolytes, causing our bodies to tire more quickly and slowing us down. Humidity adds another difficulty factor, standing in the way of efficient sweating.

Jeff Galloway, a lifetime runner and a former American Olympian, points out how a running pace can change depending on the heat. If you assume 8min/mile pace at 55ºF, with every 5ºF temperature increase, your pace will slow down to 8:05 at 55-60ºF all the way to 9:35 at 80-85ºF. As you can see, current South Florida weather offers the easiest time to run. If you ever wanted to become a runner, this is the right time.

Picture By lululemon athletica

By Dorota Porazinska