chicago marathon weather- what the heck

Don't forget we are running by Lake Michigan..could help

Correct, I was oblivious to that fact. Also oblivious to the rule that says Chicagolanders can't go to other cities in pursuit of their PRs.

I like your attitude.. about running by lake Michigan... the truth is it will be hot and humid as hell and the organizers ruined my chance of classifing for Boston. Did they ask if we wanted the date moved??

I am one of the chicken littles running around worrying about the weather, but I still have hope. It's three days away, and they could still be wrong. The forecast I saw last night explained that they are predicting warm weather from the southwest (basically, from Arizona) to move up north to the midwest, instead of moving straight across the country. Then they're predicting warm, wet air from the gulf to move up to the midwest, giving us the humidity as well. This apparently increases the likelihood of thunderstorms, which are a possibility over the weekend (and would reduce the temps). I'll glady take some rain to keep it somewhat cool.

I'm going out at goal pace on Sunday, and if it's brutal, I'm dropping out around 18 and will plan on running Detroit in two weeks.

unfortunately it's going to feel like we're running in Lake Michigan

Just got this from the marathon office:

Heat Advisory

Attention LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Participants:

The weather forecasts for race day – Sunday, October 7 – are indicating that we could have a warm and humid day with temperatures expected to be in the 82 F / 28 C range on race day (according to weather.com). We recommend you stay tuned to local weather forecasts to properly prepare for the race.

Medical Director George Chiampas suggests the following preparation for race day:

Dress appropriately – avoid cotton fabrics, long sleeves and long pants. Wear lightweight, breathable fabrics that will help to keep you cool.

Wear sunglasses and waterproof sunscreen. With the amount of time you will be on the course, you want to be sure to protect your skin and eyes.

Pay special attention to hydration. Drink plenty of fluids the day before and morning of the race. Drink enough fluids to maintain your baseline body weight, but be aware of overhydration. If you begin to gain weight above your baseline, you are drinking too much water and depleting your sodium level which is important to maintain.

Be sure to stay hydrated during the race. Make note of aid stations and prepare to utilize them. You will need to drink more to compensate for the rapid depletion of your body's fluids in the heat.

Plan to adjust your pace for the weather. The humidity and heat will require more of your body so a slower pace than planned is recommended in order to get you to the finish line without overheating.

Most importantly: PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY DURING THE RACE. If at ANY time your body gives you signals to slow down or stop, abide by them. Be aware of your heart rate, body temperature and hydration. If you feel light-headed, dizzy or overheated or experience chest pain, visual disturbances, cramping, vomiting or headache, slow down or stop and consult the medical personnel on the course immediately.

There will be a cooling/misting tent next to the Medical Tent at the Finish Line to assist with post-race cool down.

We want everyone to enjoy race day and that means being in the best possible condition to complete the course. Take it slow, pay attention to your body's stress signals and be aware of medical staff and aid stations to help you along the way.

The race is 3 days away and you have already taken yourself out of the race. The race directors didn't do anything to you. You have to control what you have the ability to control......which means you. You have the ability to be successful in this race.

There was another Alberto who ran sub 2:09 in weather hotter than it will be on Sunday. Why don't you have some respect for yourself and go after it? If you believe that your chances are truly ruined....DO NOT GO TO THE RACE. Stay home. Save time and money, but you won't save your dignity. I believe you will be fine, you should too. Good luck in whatever decision you make.

Well, we received a weather warning before Boston and I just got another for Chicago, what luck!

One thing I got from Boston this year, is that it turned out a lot better than I thought once I got going.

There is no way I'm going to let the weather screw with my head this time. I'm sticking with my plan and going to run hard.

I'm sticking with my plan and going to run hard.

Not to put a damper on your plans but have you actually had experience with the heat? Totally different than a cold, wet, and windy day in Boston. The big killer is internal body heat and there is nothing the laws of physics and human physiology can do to change how that will affect the efficiency of your muscles.

That said, I tried the glycerin last night and think I will try it on Sunday.

toasty wrote:

Most importantly: PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY DURING THE RACE. If at ANY time your body gives you signals to slow down or stop, abide by them.

I'm not sure I'd have made it through any of my eight marathons had I followed that advice.

MarathonMind wrote:

[quote]

have you actually had experience with the heat?

Besides living in Chicago and training in similar conditions all summer and 10 previous marathons including the recent hot ones in Boston, no, not much.

the high today is 84. Intellicast weather reported that at 9:00 Chicago time, it was still only 63. The race starts at 8. Don't get your panties in a bunch.

Great to hear. How off were those actual races from goals?

Geez, will we see the carnage that we saw at Grandma's this year!?!

MarathonMind wrote:

Great to hear. How off were those actual races from goals?

OK. One more post and that's all. First off, as a previous poster pointed out, they have been calling for temps in the 80's for the last 2 weeks but it doesn't get into the 70's till 11 at the earliest.

It is 10:30 now, here are the conditions:

Where will you be 2 and a half hours into the race? How do you know there won't be a breeze off the lake cooling downtown? I tell you what, I'll keep my plan of running the first half of the race at my goal time then adjusting if necessary. You can go ahead and obsess over something you can't control,change your race strategy before it starts and risk turning it into another training run. Good luck.

toasty wrote:

Wear sunglasses and waterproof sunscreen. With the amount of time you will be on the course, you want to be sure to protect your skin and eyes.

In the October 2007 issue of Running Times ("The Martin Chronicles", Lessons from L.E.A.P.), Dr. Martin says, "Don't use sunscreen the day of a race, because the water will bead up and roll off before it can cool you." He also suggests waterproofing your racing flats.

Sound advice.

The marathon is going to screw up traffic for the Cubs game not the other way around. It will screw up marathon runners as they try to get home if going north (driving or riding the train)

Mars wrote:

I live in Chicago. Lifelong resident of the inner-city. The northernmost point of the course is 2.5 blocks from Wrigley Field proper. This is ridiculously close... enough for traffic to be a major issue. And it's rather idiotic of you to assume that cars, buses and cabs traveling down Lake Shore Drive (oh right, that's closed off too!) or streets surrounding the course can miraculously fly above those stretches of blocked off streets. No. Instead, they're backed up for miles. This is what we in the big city call traffic. I hope you can comprehend that, you mouth-breathing chode.

MarathonMind wrote:

[quote]

I tried the glycerin last night and think I will try it on Sunday.

What color skirt and jog bra will you be wearing?

It's still pretty humid right now in Chicago. This is not all typical for October. Then again, it's been a pretty wet summer. First the cicadas, then the mosquitos.