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Why you run faster in autumn
Fall has a lot to offer - the chance to take off your cozy sweaters and cute boots, apple picking, the resurgence of hot drinks and spiced baked goods. And if you're a runner, there's another reason to enjoy the season: it makes you faster. That's the word from Michael Meliniotis, a coach with the Mile High Run Club. “Every fall, runners can definitely experience a welcome boost in performance,” he says. The reason? "In the fall we start to see legitimate drops in temperature and humidity. After a hot summer, this means we are running at the same effort level and heart rate...
Why you run faster in autumn
Fall has a lot to offer - the chance to take off your cozy sweaters and cute boots, apple picking, the resurgence of hot drinks and spiced baked goods. And if you're a runner, there's another reason to enjoy the season: it makes you faster.
That's the word from Michael Meliniotis, a coach with the Mile High Run Club. “Every fall, runners can definitely experience a welcome boost in performance,” he says. The reason? "In the fall we start to see legitimate drops in temperature and humidity. After a hot summer, this means we can run at the same effort level and heart rate but immediately see an increase in speed." Even though it feels like you're putting the same effort into your run as always, your pace will naturally increase. He says the peak temperature for this sweet spot is between 45 and 55 degrees F. (Check out the best temperatures for different distances.)
But part of what you notice is the payoff of a summer workout. “Running culture offers some of its best racing in the fall season,” Meliniotis says. “Fall is one of the busiest months for marathons, and runners who plan to participate in a fall marathon will be in peak physical condition after the summer months,” adds John Gallucci, Jr., president of JAG Physical Therapy.
Even if you're not signed up for a race, Meliniotis says summer tends to be a time when all runners log more miles. "Runners work hard in the summer, often following training programs or running socially more often than in the winter. The cumulative effect of building a running base and engaging in speed training increases performance," he says. Hard work + optimal weather conditions = super speed. (This track workout will help you run faster.)
So how can you take advantage of the boost? Get out and run. If you continue to do speed work or build on the base you created over the summer, you can maintain the natural upward trend. Or simply sign up for a fall race, get your PR, and use the winter to investigate more indoor courses. You can always start again next year.