May 23rd, 2009
I wanted to share this great bit of info I found on a RW training forum, it was written by a runner who is also a meteorologist. By adding the temperature and dewpoint, you get an idea of whether your run/race will suck or not:
Temp+dewpoint of 90-100 is probably ideal, but anything below 130 is pretty much OK to go for the fast time…maybe 120 for longer distances…say 1/2 marathon or above. Between 130-150 will see a gradual slowdown in pace, and if it’s above 150, forget pace altogether and just focus on finishing.
Here’s another poster’s way of looking at it (that the meteorologist agreed with):
Dewpoint <55*F: Go for it!
Dewpoint in the 60s…it’ll be tough for racing, training runs OK
Dewpoint in the low 70s…hard training will be tough
Dewpoint in the upper 70s….anything other than a recovery run will be a struggle
Dewpoint in the 80s…even a recovery run is tough
Looks like my race tomorrow will be near 70 degrees at the start with a dewpoint of 62. Potential pooh, I wanted weather perfection.
Also, I picked up my bib yesterday and it’s silly as hell. They’re using DAG timing and the way it works is that a bib (laminated with the timing device attached) is placed in a plastic bag stapled to the back of a normal bib – you have to wear both. Convoluted and bulky.
I’m grouchy today, can you tell?
Posted in Running
Found your blog searching for “chafing.” Interesting post, that. Seems you and I got started with running the same way — couch-to-5k. You have progressed much faster, though. Anyway, I’m running my first marathon tomorrow (ran the same event last year, only did a half marathon) and the temp is supposed to be 80 F (in the shade) w/ showers. Hot and wet. Woohoo. Hope your’s is better. Good luck.
Best of luck, Scott. Hydrate well! And I take back all my whining, seeing as how mine’s just a measly 5K and you’re going the distance.
You going to wear that bib high? hide the radar nips with, um, actual radar?
BTW, be careful with the bib. I hear they don’t like to be crumpled – it breaks the loop antenna.
Sending cooling vibes for tomorrow. Good luck!
I thought I read somewhere that it was the combo of temp + humidity = over 140 and you’re in trouble. I will see if I can find it. Maybe it was in my “Run Less,Run Faster” book. So, basically it’s probably made up. HHAHAHHA
Go Get EM!!!
This was a very interesting post, but I know that as the humidity rises in GA, that the runs become … let’s say, tougher.
I agree with DAG timing. It’s retarded … when there are better chip timing systems out there.
This is great! I’m so glad you posted this…now back to reading about your epic heat stroke.
Hah. A Google search: temperature dew point running
Got me to LetsRun thread which got me here.
Yep, it brings me a good amount of hits. I’m also a few results down from that.
[...] of 90 for the last finishers. What this means (from a runner who is also a meterologist, via Flo at girlinmotion): “Temp+dewpoint of 90-100 is probably ideal, but anything below 130 is pretty much OK to go for [...]
Where’s the metric version? Anyway, did it myself this morning – F temp + F dewpoint = 55. Too cold and dry for me!