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Lead Stories: Friday, November 21, 2008

Excellent Weather for Women’s 10-K Could Mean Fast Times, New Record

Posted August 15th, 2008 at 11:00 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

Nine straight days of bad weather finally lifted here today giving rise to the possibility of fast times in tonight’s women’s 10,000m, the first final on the track of these Olympic Games.

At 22:00 local time, the temperature was 26°C (79°F) with 51% humidity, far better conditions than were anticipated by most of the 32 competitors from 18 nations who are on the start list.

The Olympic Games record is 30:17.49 set by Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia in Sydney in 2000. With athletes like two-time world 10,000m champion Tirunesh Dibaba and multiple world road running record holder Lornah Kiplagat (Pictured) in the field, that record could go. The field is loaded with talent; 13 women have personal best times under 31 minutes.
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Beijing Swelters in Advance of Opening Ceremony

Posted August 8th, 2008 at 11:00 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

In advance of tonight’s Opening Ceremony, Beijing remains in the grip of a humid haze so thick that one could barely see the sun over Tiananmen Square this morning (see photo).

This is the third consecutive day that this Olympic host city has seen stifling humidity which has greatly reduced visibility and has left athletes, tourists and members of the media alike sweating profusely. There has not been a blue sky to look at since Tuesday afternoon.
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Video: Chicago Runners Can Finish At Denver Marathon

Posted October 11th, 2007 at 1:52 PM by Jeanie Rebb

Section: News & Results, Marathons

The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon was stopped mid-way through due to high temperatures and extreme humidity on race day.

However, now Denver Marathon officials are offering free registration to Chicago runners who want to get to the finish line.

Click here for the press release and check out the video below to watch CBS4 Denver’s report on this unique situation:

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Impact of extreme weather conditions on marathon running performances

Posted May 23rd, 2007 at 1:00 PM by Megan Hueter

Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Training Tips

In general, marathon races are among the most physiologically demanding endurance events in the world with runners competing for a distance of 42 kilometers (26.2 miles). (3,6) Competitive marathon runners often maintain a pace equaling 70-90% of their VO2max (max output) for over two hours. (6) Both biological and environmental factors affect the thermoregulatory balance in marathon runners.

Marathon races are considered mass participation events, and heat injuries occur in less extreme conditions. When running in closer proximity to other runners, it has been reported that the physiological heat stress is three times more straining on the body compared to someone running solo in identical weather conditions. (6) As mentioned earlier biological and environmental factors play a role in maintaining thermoregulatory balance in marathon runners. Biological factors such as dehydration, metabolic rate and gender limit thermoregulatory control. (3)
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Bekele: World Cross Demise Due to Mombasa Conditions

Posted March 25th, 2007 at 5:22 PM by Bob Ramsak

Section: News & Results, Cross Country

A day after his shock defeat at the World Cross Country Championships here, five-time defending champion Kenenisa Bekele blamed his withdrawal from the race’s waning stages on by the harsh conditions runners faced on the course at this Kenyan seaside resort city near the equator.

The 24-year-old Kenyan appeared on the verge of his record sixth straight title before he succumbed to the conditions, eventually dropping out midway through the final two kilometer lap.

After experiencing some stomach problems mid-race, Bekele said:

“Suddenly I felt that my coordination was not good and that my mind was dizzy. I even started to doubt about how many laps I still had to run.”

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Live @ the USA XC Champs: “18 months to Beijing” Lecture

Posted February 9th, 2007 at 9:23 PM by Sarah Mandell

Section: News & Results, Cross Country, Special Features, Live Race Coverage

Although the 2007 USA XC Championships are in less than 24 hours, athletes and coaches are already concerned and preparing for next summer’s Olympic games.

Physiologist, Dr. Randy Wilbur, began the conference entitled “18 Months to Beijing: How heat, humidity and extreme pollution won’t keep USA athletes off the podium,” and was accompanied by eight time US Marathon Champion Steve Jones, and world, US record setter, and Nike Coach and running legend Alberto Salazar. The panel of speakers discussed the fears and concerns of entering such a hot, humid and polluted environment for the 2008 Summer Olympics.
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Adjusting Your Race Plan: How to Battle the Elements & Other Unexpected Obstacles

Posted August 31st, 2006 at 4:00 AM by Jim Fortner

Section: Running & Training, Motivation, Training Tips

A note from TFS: Jim Fortner is a weekly, guest contributor to The Final Sprint. Make sure to also check out “Jim2’s Running Page”, his own personal running and advice site.

Below you will find his latest post about adjusting your race plan when you are faced with issues of weather, hills and crowded starts. I think you will find it to be extremely helpful.

Generally, all of my comments about race strategy and pacing assume ideal race conditions. Specifically, good marathoning weather, an unencumbered start and a flat course. However, it is necessary to adjust or tailor a race plan to allow for any of these conditions being less than ideal…..and you can almost count on one or more of them happening. Your question gives me an opportunity to look at them. Hope you don’t mind.

Weather
Like the old saying says, you can’t do anything about bad weather, except complain. Good marathon conditions require no higher than 50 degrees temperature and 50 percent humidity (the marathoner’s 50-50 rule of thumb). Anything over 60 degrees or 60 percent is considered “red or yellow flag conditions” or a “hot weather marathon” for most marathoners. Read the rest of this entry »

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