Humidity is the Poor Person's Altitude
Reasons to Avoid Midday Workouts
There is no doubt that summer is here and the humidity is as well.
Training in the summer takes a dedicated person to ensure that their Fall racing goals are achieved.
While I love the idea that I don’t have to work (remember, I’m a teacher) and in theory can run whenever I want, I know that if I want any kind of good run to happen, I have to do it early before most get up, or well after everyone goes to sleep.
This means that my early morning long workout days need to start before 6 am if I want them to go well.
If I want to avoid a full-on death march, then getting them done before the sun gets too hot is a necessary requirement.
On the days I’m either recovering or just going easy, I tend to try and run before 7, allowing myself a little bit of a sleep-in.
I recently didn’t take my own advice and truly slept in. I had an easy 4 mile run on the training calendar and from the very first step I knew that the run was going to be a challenge.
It was.
That being said, if every once in a while I suffer on my run because I got extra sleep, I’ll take it.
So, why is humidity so tough on runners?
Reduced evaporation: when humidity is high, your body can’t get the sweat off of your skin quick enough. That’s what makes you feel so hot.
Impaired cooling: When your sweat doesn't leave your body efficiently, your body can’t cool down.
Increased perceived effort: The combination of high humidity and lack of cooling makes your body work harder to get rid of its built up heat, leading you to believe you’re working harder than you actually are.
Fluid loss: Your body might lose more fluids due to the hot and humid conditions, further affecting hydration levels and potentially leading to dehydration.
Impaired performance: When you’re working harder than normal and your body is working to sweat more, your heart rate will increase as will your perceived effort. Both of these can negatively impact your run, making it feel more difficult.
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What Has My Attention:
Your Guide to Warming Up for a 5k
Courtney Dauwalter Runs to New Western States 100 Course Record
Summer Running + Hydration Tips
Wavelight Technology Sets Runners on a World-Record Pace
Threshold Tips for Quality Sessions
Quote of the Week:
When you're exhausted, even the tiniest step forward is proof of your incredible strength.
New Blog Alert:
Racing in the Heat: Expert Advice for Racing in Hot Weather
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