The California Runner—A Unique Set of Challenges

The California runner is not afraid of winter. While we cruise along trails, climbing coastal mountains in our T-shirts and sunglasses, we hear stories from our midwestern brothers and sisters of heavy layers, micro-spikes, and socks being used for unusual purposes (ask them, not me). Frankly, it is not the cold that we fear, nor is it the heat. Rather, it’s a byproduct of our ordinarily balmy climate.

Despite temps regularly surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit in some regions (around 38 degrees Celsius for our metric friends), most Californian runners will tell you that the heat isn’t a major problem. Our dry climate makes for cool mornings, and even on the worst of days a 7 AM run merely means pushing through the low 80s. Unfortunately, the dry climate has a dark side. Months without rain means very dry and often dead vegetation, meaning all it takes is a windy day and a spark to bring trouble. Depending on where you live, this can be perilous, but regardless, all fires generate smoke, and that smoke goes somewhere. 

The most polluted cities in the world cannot compete with a raging wildfire blowing directly in your face. In the late summer and fall, we are often left with a choice between staying fit and preventing the penetration of our lung tissue by tiny particles. We seek out alternatives—buying treadmills, joining gyms (unless you’re in the midst of a pandemic), and running laps around our living rooms (only for the most dedicated and ridiculous runners). Otherwise, like many of our east coast and midwestern friends in winter, fire season is time to take a break.

With any luck, the smoke will subside and the rain will arrive before the terrain ignites once again. We will resume their training runs, preparing for winter while the Midwestern and East Coast runners head for the treadmill. Racing season continues until it is jeopardized again in the following August.