Humid weather's impact on running?

[Texa]

Well yesterday I crashed. Literally bonked out and had to walk after a mile and a half. (I have just finished couch to 5K and have been doing 2.5 - 3 miles in 30 minutes. Just trying to get faster.) Not just tired either but slightly queasy and was almost gasping for breath, so I walked the other mile and quit at 2.5. I went over what I had eaten in my head but couldn't think of anything unusual. When my son came home from school he said he felt the same way after PE class that day so I wondered if it could be the unusual humidity we are having? Up until now it had been pretty dry, almost drought conditions dry, so I wondered if that made a difference.

Has this happened to anyone else and if so do you push through it or stop and walk while you catch your breath?

Sorry for all these questions. Still a newbie to running!

 

[wfloyd]

Yes humidity has a big factor on how fast you can go. Once it starts getting hot and humid around here, my pace drops off quite a bit. I have gotten used to it and know what to expect so I generally just push through it and slow down. There have been a few times where I just finished up the run and walked home because it was too bad.

 

[wtpclc]

Both dh and I were puffign pretty good the other h=night when it was 75 and humid. It will definitely effect you.

 

[solotraveler]

Same here. Of course, now the nice weather is going away....

But I think what you will find is that after a little while your body will aclimitize (sp?) to the weather and you'll be back to full speed once you body gets used to operating in those conditions. It works in reverse too if suddenly you have to run in very cold temps your body is unaccustomed too.

Hope that helps!
Kevin

 

[Texa]

That helps a lot! Thanks everyone! I'll just keep on keeping on.

 

[cdn_gal_eeyore]

Jeff Galloway has an article on his website regarding hot weather running, and a bit of info on humidity. I used to live in Texas, so I know that humidity makes it seem like a tough slog sometimes. Good luck!

http://www.jeffgalloway.com/resources/news_archives/may_00.html

 

[gatorphipps]

Leana - That was a wonderful artical. I wish everyone had of read it b/4 WDW this year. The heat and humid conditions were really tough! I saw many runners fall out in the last 6 miles of the race due to the conditions.

 

[cdn_gal_eeyore]

I guess the biggest thing to remember with humidity is to slow down, and realize that it will affect your pace.

For the first time marathon runner Galloway recommends running the first 20 miles at a slow pace so that you'll still have enough left in you so that you can really kick it in for the last 6.2 miles. I guess it really follows the idea that the halfway point of the race is at that 20 mile marker! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for less humidity when I attempt the Goofy (and my first full) at WDW in January next year!

 

[Texa]

I guess the biggest thing to remember with humidity is to slow down, and realize that it will affect your pace.

For the first time marathon runner Galloway recommends running the first 20 miles at a slow pace so that you'll still have enough left in you so that you can really kick it in for the last 6.2 miles. I guess it really follows the idea that the halfway point of the race is at that 20 mile marker! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for less humidity when I attempt the Goofy (and my first full) at WDW in January next year!

That makes sense. The first humid day we have and I tried to shave a couple of minutes off my time! Guess that wasn't the best idea. It is supposed to be rainy/humid here for the next week or so, I think I'm just going to worry about finishing and quit worrying about faster times until I adjust.

Great info everyone. thanks!