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Lead Stories: Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Chicago Marathon 2008: Forecast Predicts Sunny, Very Warm Racing Conditions

Posted October 12th, 2008 at 7:10 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons

With less than an two hours to go before the start of the 2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, the weather here in the Windy City is 62 degrees Fahrenheit with 88% humidity and winds from the SE of 5 mph.

According to Weather.com, the forecast for today is:

“Sunshine and a few clouds. Very warm.
High near 80F. Winds S-SE at 10 to 15 mph.”

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Podcast 97: KATE O’NEIL Reflects on Her Impressive Marathon Debut in Chicago

Posted October 22nd, 2007 at 5:18 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

Episode 97 of The Final Sprint Podcast features my follow-up interview with KATE O’NEIL on her extremely impressive 3rd place, debut marathon performance at the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.

In the interview Kate reflects on her big day and talks about the keys to her success, battling through the heat, when she realized the leaders were too far out of reach and why after initially “feeling terrible despite the happiness” she now is excited to run another marathon.

Download the podcast to hear Kate discuss these topics, as well as, how this experience and her success in a slow, but strategic race will help her in April’s U.S. Olympic Women’s Marathon Trials, training adjustments and preparing for the wind in Boston, her racing plans for 2008, and advice for first time marathoners!

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Host: Adam Jacobs | Guest: Kate O’Neil
Producers: Greg Cherniet, Adam Jacobs
Musicians: Ryan Ahlwardt, Darnell Perkins
File Size: 8.34 MB | Length: 12:08 MIN

Episode sponsored by: Bill Rodgers Sportswear
After 21 years Bill Rodgers Sportswear is closing out their line of high-quality running apparel. Visit shopfest.com to take advantage of an unprecedented 50% discount on all in-stock items!

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Steamy Chicago Marathon On Tap For Sunday

Posted October 5th, 2007 at 8:00 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

The leaves may be falling from the trees of this bustling Midwestern city, but the temperature decidedly is not. Usually blessed with crisp autumn days, Chicago is in the middle of an untimely heat wave in advance of Sunday’s 30th edition of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.

Britain’s Liz Yelling will be competing here for the first time. Usually joined by her triathlete husband, Martin, she is by herself here because he is preparing to compete in the Ford Ironman World Championships in Hawaii a week from tomorrow.

“It’s hotter here,” said Yelling.

The average high temperature for the last ten marathons here was 14.7°C (58.5°F), but forecasters are predicting a high temperature for Sunday of 31°C (88°F) accompanied by 65% humidity.

At the 8:00 a.m. start, the temperature should be around 21°C (70°F). It will be the hottest Chicago Marathon on record; the previous high temperature for the race, according to records kept by the organizers, was 29°C (84°F) in 1979. The record high for Oct. 7 here is 86°F (30°C).

Executive race director Carey Pinkowski and his team have taken steps to protect the massive field –last year’s race had 32,995 finishers– from the heat. They have posted a heat advisory on their website, beefed up their medical team, instituted a plan to move unused water from earlier drinking stations to later ones, and will have cooling sprays installed in various locations.
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Osaka weather forecast looks grim for IAAF World Champs

Posted August 22nd, 2007 at 7:24 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

Check out the Weather Channel’s outlook for August in Osaka. High temperatures for the 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics will range from 90° to 96° with expected scattered thunderstorms for the duration of the competition. Not only that, but humidity is expected to be between 70% and 90% for the duration of the competition.

The weather is expected to be so severe that event organizers have issued an official advisory note for athletes detailing “practical recommendations regarding weather conditions.” The advisory explains that a panel showing the current heat stroke risk levels will be posted for the athletes to monitor. The heat stroke levels are as follows:
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What’s Up With the Weather?

Posted January 19th, 2007 at 9:45 AM by Megan Hueter

Section: News & Results

It has been an unusually warm winter in the Northeast and Midwest United States; leaving many questioning the cause of such a phenomenon. Many health-conscious individuals and athletes are left wondering the impact of such temperature changes on the body and its ability to perform.

The National Climatic Data Center listed the average temperature for the 48 adjacent states last year as 55 degrees Fahrenheit; 2.2 degrees warmer than average. Worldwide, it was the six warmest year on record. Experts are pointing in three directions: El Niño, global warming and a combination of both.
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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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