New report finds that climate change is impacting marathons, too. Doctors share how this could affect runners and how you can keep your goals and stay safe.
I'm no expert in climate change, but have a good dose of common sense. If it gets a little hotter, couldn't the races just move back the race a week in the fall or move it up a week in the spring?
I'm no expert in climate change, but have a good dose of common sense. If it gets a little hotter, couldn't the races just move back the race a week in the fall or move it up a week in the spring?
I'm no expert in climate change, but have a good dose of common sense. If it gets a little hotter, couldn't the races just move back the race a week in the fall or move it up a week in the spring?
I'm no expert in climate change, but have a good dose of common sense. If it gets a little hotter, couldn't the races just move back the race a week in the fall or move it up a week in the spring?
Why would optimal temperature for men be colder - by a lot (10.8 degrees F) - than women? They run significantly shorter time
A surface level Google says that it's mainly because of how heat is regulated/generated. The difference in time probably doesn't matter much compared to physiological thermal regulation.
- Men tend to have more muscle mass; muscles generate heat
- Women tend to have less blood in the extremities in order to keep their core temp warmer, so they'll be more uncomfortable and perhaps hindered at colder temperatures that are fine for men
Why would optimal temperature for men be colder - by a lot (10.8 degrees F) - than women? They run significantly shorter time
A surface level Google says that it's mainly because of how heat is regulated/generated. The difference in time probably doesn't matter much compared to physiological thermal regulation.
- Men tend to have more muscle mass; muscles generate heat
- Women tend to have less blood in the extremities in order to keep their core temp warmer, so they'll be more uncomfortable and perhaps hindered at colder temperatures that are fine for men
I would have thought that women on average have more body fat and so can handle colder temperatures better. I'm male and hate running in cold weather (my ideal temperatures are 80F for a 5K, 70F/10K, and 60F/half), but I guess that's a sample size of one.
A surface level Google says that it's mainly because of how heat is regulated/generated. The difference in time probably doesn't matter much compared to physiological thermal regulation.
- Men tend to have more muscle mass; muscles generate heat
- Women tend to have less blood in the extremities in order to keep their core temp warmer, so they'll be more uncomfortable and perhaps hindered at colder temperatures that are fine for men
I would have thought that women on average have more body fat and so can handle colder temperatures better. I'm male and hate running in cold weather (my ideal temperatures are 80F for a 5K, 70F/10K, and 60F/half), but I guess that's a sample size of one.
I had the same initial thought, and I think it's true that the higher %bf in women makes them better at *surviving* cold temperatures. Men having higher vascularity and getting more blood to the extremities makes them more comfortable and allows them to use muscles in the limbs better in the cold, though.
It's sort of like how drinking alcohol makes you feel warmer in the cold but will actually kill you faster (the Mythbusters tested this).
I know for some of you as soon as numbers appear your eyes gloss over because you have a double digit IQ, so I'll try and keep this simple.
Since roughly 1950, this average global temperature has increased 2.3 degrees. Since 1980, it's increased just over 1.5 degrees. This is according to NOAA data, yes the US government, which I believe to be as accurate as we can gather.
This means two things:
1. The climate is warming, the temperature is increasing.
2. If you think 1.5 degrees, or even 2.3 degrees going back 75 YEARS is the reason you're not running a PB or the elites are no longer able to run a WR, I have no idea how you even dress yourself in the morning with the mental capacity of a special needs child.
There is a race one state over from us that is popular and well done. It's held every year around 9/25. There have been plenty of recent years when it's too hot for best performances there and I keep on hoping they'll move it back a week or two, but the event seems cemented that weekend. Sucks! BTW it is NEVER too chilly that morning, only decent chances for too warm anymore.
Look also at MCM. There have been many years when it was damned hot the day of that race. Why they don't move it back I have no idea.
The best weekend for races should average 40-45F-ish for a low, with roughly equal chances for it to be a little cooler or a few degrees warmer. In the Eastern part of the US it tends to be fairly dry in the Fall, so aim for that optimal temperature for a low and set the dates that way. Doing so would move many of these Fall races back at least a week or two.
Why do race directors refuse to do this? Makes no sense.
I would have thought that women on average have more body fat and so can handle colder temperatures better. I'm male and hate running in cold weather (my ideal temperatures are 80F for a 5K, 70F/10K, and 60F/half), but I guess that's a sample size of one.
I would have thought the same thing. As my N of one, I'm female, both small-framed and quite lean, and my ideal running temperature range is very low. I basically refuse to run when it's over 80F and my ideals are around 55 for a 5K and 45 for a HM.
There is a race one state over from us that is popular and well done. It's held every year around 9/25. There have been plenty of recent years when it's too hot for best performances there and I keep on hoping they'll move it back a week or two, but the event seems cemented that weekend.
I think the reality is that most major mass-participation events are not scheduled solely with the goal of optimizing temperature. Getting permits to shut down city streets is difficult, and the city has to balance the request against other festivals and events. If you've ever been involved in organizing a race, you'll know that calling up the city and saying "Hey, we'd like to go a week earlier this year" is easier said than done.
