Runners - what is worse for you...heat or wind

[leeland]

I am training for a marathon (coming up in two weeks)...and this is the first time I have done a schedule per say (running set number of days / miles per week) when training with regards to running...

What in your opinion is more demoralizing...running in high winds or in heat that you aren't used to or out of the norm?


For me...I would have to say higher winds is the worst of the two...especially on long runs...it just beats me!

 

[ZOOYUKA]

I agree on the winds. I experienced some rough winds on my run today.

 

[kamper]

Wind has to get pretty bad before it is worse that heat, imo. Heat kills you all the time, whereas, on average, wind helps you half the time!

I can only remember two runs where wind really affected me. One it was blustery enough that I had to adjust my cadence every few steps to avoid being knocked over and the other was a combination of wind, rain and cold temperatures. On the other hand, temperatures over 25C (especially when combined with strong sunlight) are a pain and not uncommon.

 

[kamper]

dp

 

[Tiamat]

I don't run much anymore, but i found a combination of high temperature (80+ F) and high humidity (70%+) just kills in terms of trying to get enough oxygen. High winds (gust 20mph+) wore me down, but didn't seem to be as bad as heat + humidity.

 

[Megatomic]

Heat is worse. And like Tiamat said, heat plus humidity really sucks.

Headwind is like running uphills. Tailwind is like running downhills. I live in a hilly area so that's just the way it is.

 

[PricklyPete]

Heat....absolutely. Wind you can always compensate with clothes. Sure it may still affect your speed...but not your condition. You can't get away from heat. Even if you're naked running..you'll still be dying.

 

[zebano]

heat + humidity. Dry heat is fine.

FYI I ran a 5k called freezefest in February and the temperature was 5 deg F. before windchill. Every time that wind gusted I wanted to head straight to my car.

 

[darkxshade]

It isn't bad when you catch a tailwind

Heat isn't bad, it's the humidity that kills.

 

[PricklyPete]

Heat isn't bad, it's the humidity that kills.

Agreed.

 

[allies]

Heat and humidity. Although when I ran into 35 mph headwind gusts a couple weeks ago it was pretty brutal.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Agreed - heat and especially humidity.

With wind, you get brief respites, and even in severe winds, it's more akin to running uphill for a brief time, which good training can help you overcome somewhat.

In hot conditions, your core temperature rises far more quickly, and your body expends far more resources and fluids keeping you cool. It is simply impossible to run at your peak in severe heat and humidity, no matter how fit and heat-conditioned you are.

 

[ZOOYUKA]

on average, wind helps you half the time!

Actually, I would only say wind helps you a quarter of the time. Running into the wind or a cross wind from either direction can be brutal.

 

[skace]

Cold air is what defeats me.

 

[darkxshade]

Windbreakers exists
Heatbreakers do not

:ninja:

 

[kamper]

Actually, I would only say wind helps you a quarter of the time. Running into the wind or a cross wind from either direction can be brutal.

That's true, but it depends on the velocity of the wind. At least where I live, in southern Ontario, wind is much more often a welcome relief from the heat.

 

[Kev]

Cold air is what defeats me.

same here. I feel like my lungs freeze over and I can't breath

 

[fleshconsumed]

I don't run too much anymore, I bike now. However, between two heat is way worse. The wind has to get really bad or be of gusty nature for it to become a problem.

On a similar note I also got problem with cold air, it just gives me strep throat. It has to be at least 45F or better yet 55F for me to comfortably run/bike and not be affected by cold.

 

[wiedersehen]

Hungry beats me.
Wind takes the water out of my body soon.

 

[eits]

i love running in cold air... i HATE running in the daytime. running during cold nights ftw.

and i always run better when i'm hungry.

conversely, i run like complete shit when i just ate. the other night, my gf and i had dinner and waited 45 mins before we went for a quick 1.5 mile run... it was AWFUL. i wanted to puke so bad 3/4 of the entire run. i was so sluggish and i could feel my stomach bouncing with every step. it was horrible.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Heat will zap the energy right out of me.

Wind can be brutal but you can also use it your advantage by running with it.

 

[zebano]

I ran today in 72deg F. with weak (5MPH) winds and it was absolutely beautiful.

 

[eits]

Heat will zap the energy right out of me.

Wind can be brutal but you can also use it your advantage by running with it.

this

 

[SWScorch]

Wind slows me down, but it doesn't make me feel any worse. But if it gets over 70 degrees, I feel sluggish and tired and out of shape. Case in point; I was supposed to run 8 miles the other day. Usually I can keep right around a 7:00 pace. It was 82 degrees, and I barely managed 7 miles at 8:00 pace. The whole time I felt like I was running the last miles of a marathon; just plodding along, wanting nothing more than to stop. Yesterday it was windy but 55 degrees, I did 8.5 at 7:15 pace. I think its because I'm a pasty redhead and not used to sun and warmth.

 

[eits]

Wind slows me down, but it doesn't make me feel any worse. But if it gets over 70 degrees, I feel sluggish and tired and out of shape. Case in point; I was supposed to run 8 miles the other day. Usually I can keep right around a 7:00 pace. It was 82 degrees, and I barely managed 7 miles at 8:00 pace. The whole time I felt like I was running the last miles of a marathon; just plodding along, wanting nothing more than to stop. Yesterday it was windy but 55 degrees, I did 8.5 at 7:15 pace. I think its because I'm a pasty redhead and not used to sun and warmth.

true story, redheads have a decreased pain threshold, which is why they can tend to be wimps. it has to do with a mutation in a hormone receptor.

jk

but seriously, it's true.