Hi, guys, Im writing an assignment on what happens to a marathon runners body during a race to maintain optimal conditions ie, blood sugar, temperature, O2 ect ect.
Can I ask people - what are the best running conditions for you for a distance race ? my assignment is based on 18 degrees and 30 % humidity..
for me 18 deg would be too warm, I dont know wot 30% humidity feels like so I cant comment but Im sure you will get some answers on here!! Cant wait to read your assignment, I dunno what happens to my body during a marathon other than it says "OUCH"!!!!!!! at the end!!!
There are some well experienced Marathon runners in the striders so hopefully you get a bit of help! x
Also, 30% humidity would increase the temperature, so 18 degrees, or about 66 in english would make the temperature feel like 72 degrees so i suppose thats too hot for a comfy marathon isnt it - it would be great if people left their comments on races they've been in and how they felt the conditions affected them....... so i could include a "survey" in my assignment. studies suggest around 55degrees to be best conditions..........
Well my worst marathon time (ie I didnt finish!) was at White peak this year- 27degrees and no shelter or wind. In terms of humidity I would say 100%!! But it was on May 22nd so maybe you can back date the weather reports?
Best marathon was April 2009, I think it was about 20/21 degrees. It did feel too hot for me though. I would say ideally you would need 16/17 degrees.
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under 20 degrees seems good any warmer and I start to struggle . two un seasonally warm London marathons and a scorching Palma marathon. Amsterdam under 20 degrees and coped fine. ( all with ample training )
thanks for replies guys, all useful info, If i get a good grade for my assignment, i'll see if you want to post it on the site as hopefully interesting information for distance runners... : )
I prefer temperatures around 8 to 11 deg, with damper air and always function at my best during the winter months.
Heat on its own is manageable with drinks and sweat, though the air is more dense when hot, but add humidity this prevents the sweat from evaporating so your inner self will not cool down, less oxygen to the muscles, so the brain will take over and slow you down.
Venice was 25+ deg and humidity of 97%, cloud cover so the humidity was low. like running through swamps, best marathon was london, it was 20 + in the built up areas, but it rained, a salvation as much more oxygen in the air!! (plus i was younger then)
