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Why Rain Isn't the Worst for Runners: Sorokinas on the Most Draining Weather Conditions
🇱🇹 Lithuania /Sports

Why Rain Isn't the Worst for Runners: Sorokinas on the Most Draining Weather Conditions

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Lithuanian ultramarathon runner Aleksandras Sorokinas discusses how weather conditions impact running performance.
  • Sorokinas identifies wind as the most challenging element, followed by heat, while rain and high humidity pose risks of chafing.
  • He emphasizes that while conditions can be tough, experience, training, and mental preparation help runners adapt.

As runners in Lithuania prepare for the "Swedbank" Vilnius Marathon on September 13, the impact of weather on performance is a key consideration. Aleksandras Sorokinas, a world record holder in 100km, 100-mile, and 24-hour races, shares insights into how different conditions can challenge even the most prepared athletes.

Sorokinas identifies wind as the most formidable opponent on the course. "You have to fight directly with the wind, which consumes extra energy," he explains. While a tailwind can be beneficial, a headwind demands significantly more effort to maintain pace. Heat and direct sunlight are also major drains, accelerating fatigue and making breathing difficult. Runners can mitigate heat's effects by staying hydrated and cooling themselves regularly.

You have to fight directly with the wind, which consumes extra energy.

— Aleksandras SorokinasSorokinas describes the difficulty of running against the wind.

Rain and high humidity present a different set of problems, primarily increasing the risk of chafing and blisters due to increased friction between skin and clothing. Sorokinas advises experienced runners to proactively apply Vaseline or special lubricants to sensitive areas before a race. "Once you get blisters and it starts to hurt, you will be plagued by constant pain for the remaining hours," he notes, recalling a 24-hour race where continuous rain necessitated meticulous attention to friction points.

Despite these challenges, Sorokinas stresses that adaptation is possible. He considers temperatures between 10-15 degrees Celsius ideal, as they minimize the energy the body expends on regulating its internal temperature. While he personally finds cold and rain less impactful than heat and wind, he acknowledges that every runner experiences different conditions uniquely. Ultimately, he believes that experience, consistent training, and psychological readiness are crucial for overcoming adverse weather and achieving race goals.

Once you get blisters and it starts to hurt, you will be plagued by constant pain for the remaining hours.

— Aleksandras SorokinasSorokinas explains the consequences of not managing chafing during long races in wet conditions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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