| DEW POINT (°F) | RUNNER'S PERCEPTION | HOW TO HANDLE |
| 50–54 | Very comfortable | PR conditions |
| 55–59 | Comfortable | Hard efforts likely not affected |
| 60–64 | Uncomfortable for some people | Expect race times to be slower than in optimal conditions |
| 65–69 | Uncomfortable for most people | Easy training runs might feel OK but difficult to race well or do hard efforts |
| 70–74 | Very humid and uncomfortable | Expect pace to suffer greatly |
| 75 or greater | Extremely oppressive | Skip it or dramatically alter goal |
I've roughly estimated the mid-point T and dew point for my summer races for the past 3 years using the climate history data at weather underground.
Year Race T Dew Point Result
2012 Bridge of Lions (Florida) 78F 73F 18:32
2012 LL Bean 10K 66 63 38:06
2012 Fathers Day 5K 61 48 18:12
2011 B2B 10K 68 64 38:00
2011 LL Bean 10K 65 65 38:30
2011 Mothers Day 5K 58 49 17:52 PR
2011 Mothers Day 5K 58 49 17:52 PR
2011 Clam Festival 5Mile 70 58 30:0x PR
2010 B2B 10K 58 48 37:24 PR
I also think the directness of the sun matters (so the sun temp and not shade temp) since most of these races are run in direct sun and not shade but I don't have any historical record of sun temp.
What amazes me is the actual temperature of the maine races is generally very cool but comparing the dew temp with the chart shows that some of the races will suffer, such as both LL Bean's and the 2011 B2B. B2B 2010 was really perfect. And again, male runners over 35 y.o. and in top 400 who competed in 2010 and 2011 were, on average, exactly 1.0 minute slower in 2011 than 2010 (N=61). In this light, I guess my Bridge of Lions 5K isn't too bad but it's really hard to compare since that is my only race in that kind of temp/dew point.
I'm a big fan of statistical data and using it for predictions, but the beauty of it is that there are no absolutes and anything can happen, for better for for worse. You perhaps showed that when you roared at the Bridge of Lions. Perhaps the Beacon will guide you in to a new PR even if it is humid as a bastard. Carpe viam!
ReplyDeleteI too spend a lot of time logging data that I think (but at least hope) will help me run better. I havn't however been able to tabulate any statistics that prove my statistics actually help my race times. I think for elite / consistant runners (like yourself), the statistics can be extremely helpful, for slightly behind midpack runners like myself, there are too many variables involved. That being said, I still find myself tabulating statistical imformation with the intent of helping me accomplish my goals.
ReplyDeleteUnlike you three I don't usually pour over data. I see the benefits in it though and might start diving in to it more to fine tune. Ya know, get more 'efficient'. Thanks for the reminder, and interesting info.
ReplyDeleteThere are many variables Kevin but dew point is not something I've systematically looked at but for anyone trying to do summer workouts on the road or track, it should be considered. Workout (and race) paces can drop considerably and if this isn't accounted for, then it's hard to tell if a subpar performance is due to poor fitness, or the T/dew point, or over-training, or just a bad day. More importantly is to go into a workout with dew point in mind to adjust goal pacing. I've always done my summer workouts with the very optimistic goal of hitting my peak paces. Two summers ago that worked well. Last year not so well. I wonder if last summer was hotter and/or more humid.
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