Something magical happens after you survive the hellishly hot and humid runs of summer. It’s called…FALL.

Fall is, without a doubt, the best time of year to start running, fall in love with running (pun intended), or actually enjoy running for a change. (YES, running is great but I think we can all agree that Summer running is BRUTAL.) Here are 8 reasons to love running in the fall.

The fall running glow up

The Fall Running Glow Up is real and the Fall Running Glow Up is f*cking magical. Here’s what happens, summer running is basically a legal performance-enhancing drug. Not only does your body have to work incredibly hard to keep you alive when you’re running and it’s hotter than hell, but your body ALSO has to work harder to suck oxygen out of the air when it’s real real humid out. So as you run, train, and swim your way through summer, your body hulks it out and is stronger because of it.

SO, when the weather drops and the humidity FINALLY dissipates, everyone gets their Forrest Gump on and runs further and easier than they’ve ever run before. Just because they felt like runnin!

The fall running glow up! Bing Crosby got it wrong, the most wonderful time of the year isn’t Christmas. It’s fall running.

Didn’t run through summer? Brand new? Fall running is still the best because it’s not hotter than hell. Count your blessings.

weather is perfect

There is nothing better than a crisp autumn morning where you start in a long sleeve in end in your sports bra. Not only does running feel easier thanks to the Fall Running Glow Up, but once you get moving, it’s the perfect temperature to run in. Not too hot. Not too cold. The weather is just right.

Fall Racing Season

Fall marathons! Fall half marathons! Fall Turkey Trots! My favorite part about fall running is the chance to grab my cow bell and mega phone and cheer on all the women in the Badass Lady Gang as they run down their personal bests all fall long! Whether you’re participating, volunteering, or cheering, fall racing season is the BEST racing season!

You can FINALLY wear leggings again

CAN I GET AN AMEN!?!?!? We can FINALLY wear leggings again!!!!! That Fall day when you ask Siri about the weather and she responds, “It’s cold enough to wear leggings on that run Queen”…It’s like Christmas morning!

My favorite leggings:

Lululemon Fast and Free High-Rise Crop 23"

Sweaty Betty Power 7/8 Workout Leggings

Old Navy High-Waisted PowerSoft 7/8-Length Side-Pocket Leggings For Women

Athleta Rainier Tight

The colorful views are storybook-beautiful

I grew up in San Diego and Fall was nothing more than a time when pumpkins sat at the base of palm trees in people’s front yards. Leaves didn’t change and neither did the weather. But for those of us lucky enough to live in parts of the world where fall means beautiful leaves and warm pink sunsets, the colorful views that accompany fall are breathtaking and beautiful. (And even if you don’t live somewhere with a true fall, who doesn’t love the sight of pumpkins!)

The sound of leaves crunching under you as you run

Pour some out for all the BALG-ers who don’t live in parts of the world where the leaves change BUT for those of us that do, the crunching sound of leaves under our footfalls is just magic!

The feeling of starting anew

I started running on Thanksgiving Day so fall and running will always have a really special place in my heart. I know it can feel like the year is almost over when we hit fall, but remember, today is always the day to take that first step or start anew. Whether it’s a new goal, a new training experience (Join us for our 8-week Turkey Trot Training Experience!), or if you’re brand new to running altogether, we still have time to make big things happen in the year we’re in. Even if it feels like the second we get to September it’s basically December.

Looking to get started? We offer a free Become a Runner 5K plan with guided runs!

It starts getting sunnier earlier

SURE it gets darker earlier too (and that sucks) BUT, it gets sunnier earlier! So let’s take the wins where we can get them. (And can we all agree that those fall sunrises are just the most beautiful sunrises ever?)

Fall-flavor post-run treats

Pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin bread, apple cider donuts, pumpkin spice everything FALL-FLAVOR TREATS ARE THE BEST TREATS! I mean come on!!!! Brunch just hits different after a weekend fun run!

The Turkey Trot!

Every year over 1 million Americans take to the streets on Thanksgiving Day to get their Gobble Gobble on in their local turkey trots. So, this year, we thought what better way to help the BALG prep for their local turkey trot than to create an official Training Experience!?

Kicking off on October 8th, we will spend the 8-weeks leading into Thanksgiving setting goals, building strength, and figuring out how to have as much fun as possible as we chase our personal best!

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to train with the support of a coach and a team, check out this year’s Turkey Trot 8-Week Training Experience. It’s perfect for all athletic levels from new runners, runners looking for a fun challenge, to runners looking to run faster! Join us!!!!