Tempos in hot weather

I would say if you're doing intervals and long runs then you should be okay not doing tempos until Sept but on the other hand struggling through the tempos may make you a better overall runner. An argument can be made either way. I prefer the colder weather myself but not below freezing.

If you want a workout with many of the same benefits as a 4-5 mile tempo run but that is more hot weather friendly, try something like 4x2000m near threshold pace with 400m recovery jogs (during which you could grab a sip of water or pour some on yourself).

This is one of the arguments for using a heart-rate monitor. If you are truely doing tempo-runs, and trying to work solely on your LT, then the runs are more about effort than pace. By using a monitor, you can assure that you are puting forth the right effort, even if it is not immediately reflected in your pace. As you said before, once the temperatures come down, you run faster and easier. That's probably not just a result of the cooler weather. It's probably also a result of the tempo-runs, even if they were done at a slower pace....but at the correct effort.

I am not someone who trains constantly with a monitor, but I do feel that for tempo-runs, it is an invaluable tool.

I feel you, brother, and I have just stopped doing structured workouts in the summer altogether and instead trying to get my mileage up and being consistent with strides 3 days a week. Since I don't race until October anyway, I am just running in the summers now. I will now sometimes "run to the barn" or do a run where I push all the hills or something like that, but no unrewarding structured workouts for me. I have a shady 1500m loop I can start doing long fartleks on late in the summer to get ready for working out again. I just gear my racing season now to Nov-March and try to find what races I can and I am done racing as soon as it gets consistently over 70 every day.

Yeah I was also curious as to if the increase seen towards the end of a CC season is because of the training or more because of the colder temps at race times..

hopefully that doesn't sound like too dumb of a question. I know it's probably because of both, but which has a greater impact?

I am the same way. I do very well in the cold but completely wilt in the heat. This summer I think I'm just going to do my tempos and try to keep about the equivalent effort and let the pace fall wherever it may. I did that last summer and managed to have some excellent races as a result.

Yes, you will always be struggling. Don't stop your tempos because how do you expect to ever do well in a race if its hot. I love when its like 87 clear sky. I can just blaze intervals, tempos, hills, longruns, but when its like 35 and overcast I'm like ugh...throw on the gloves, hat, tights and whatever and deal with the elements of the weather. I don't feel as relaxed but I'm still running as close to the times I run in the 80+ degree days.

Don't stop your tempos....I repeat don't stop your tempos

Get you some Accelerade, drink lots of water the day before your tempo.

The Roc

It's so tough. This is embarassing to share, but so are my PR's. Anyway, I ran a 3 x 1 mile with 2:30 rest jog because I'm going to run a 5k this upcoming Saturday. Last week I did it in 60 degree weather at just about 5:02-5:03 pace for each one. Today, it was 85 and humid, and I ran 5:25, 5:25, 5:23, struggling. Man was that so much tougher too.

Ditto.

Usually do a 5-5.75 mile tempo weekly. Completely tanked the one last week. Got to the third mile at normal pace and just went completely south. Today I thought I felt good but then realized I was about 30 seconds off my normal time. I think it's a combo of heat acclimatization and heat taking a toll regardless of how used to it you are. Peace.