Why, sometimes, is the wind always against me when I run, no matter what direction I'm facing?

Question

I have experienced this phenomenon several times, and have heard other runners or bikers talk about it as well.

When running (or biking) on a windy day, you might be running against a strong wind. At some point you make a sharp turn (90 degrees or greater). You expect the wind to now hit you from the right or left side, but no, it seems it's still coming right at you! This will persist even if you turn again, so you're 180 degrees turned from when the wind was first against you, and paradoxically the wind is still heavy against you.

I know the wind can change directions, and buildings or trees can "funnel" the wind, but sometimes it just seems too much of a coincidence, like nature has a vendetta against you that day or something (not literally, but I have personally cursed the wind out on a few occasions).

Anyone have a good explanation for this?

Answer 1

Is your bike on a platform that rotates towards the wind like a compass or are you running on a treadmill that it too turns towards the wind? LOL You know....maybe you're a guinea pig to an unseen force?

Answer 2

All I can say is that I get that too. Sometimes, when I'm running, I feel like the wind is going against me so much. It even happens in-doors like at a basketball gym, like I'm running my hardest and but it's like the same pace and something is pushing against me ... Or maybe thats something else...

Answer 3

It wouldnt be possible for that to happen if you were to run in every direction,  North, East, South and West.   When a cold front passes winds will usually go from south and southeasterly to Northwesterly..   The only times that winds could be that variable is when the winds are very light but if you are feeling resistance then the winds would not vary that much.    Variable wind recordings usually a somewhat limited range, let's say from 170 degrees to 230 degrees which is basically south and to southwest.

Light and variable winds is a term used when winds are less than around 5mph.

Answer 4

If there is a weather system passing by, the direction of the wind will change. It would be coincidence, but it could happen that the wind was always in the wrong direction for you.  High pressure cells rotate clockwise; lows anti-clockwise.

Also, an updraft could do it. If you were going along an area that was warmer than its surroundings, as the air there rose it would pull in other ground level air to replace it. This would create a wind toward the center of the updraft.

Answer 5

It's the 'don't p's'y out wind.'  I've met it too!  Whatever you do don't let it beat you!