Okay, got a run in here in west-central FL and have some data points to share that hopefully will be helpful to some…
I ran from 8:30-10am, wanting to simulate the last hour or so of the half with my slow time.
Starting conditions: 45º, dew point 31º, Feels Like 38º, winds NNE 15-20mph, 46% humidity, full sun, not a cloud in the sky
Finishing conditions: 50º, dew point 31º, Feels Like 47º, everything else the same
This is the #1 point I want to share: the sun here, even though it’s January, is INTENSE. It made a big difference in how I felt in the shade vs. full sun. This matters less for the half and not at all for the 5K or 10K, but should be a consideration for marathoners.
#2 big point is wind: it was gusty and when it blew, it was darned chilly, even in full sun. When I was in sheltered spots, it felt easily 10º warmer, even in the shade.
What I wore: thermal tights, super thin short sleeve over a thin long sleeve under a medium weight tech jacket, BondiBand as an ear cover, wool beret, cheap knit gloves, thin Buff neck gaiter.
How I felt: totally fine until about 9:15am, when I took off the jacket. Thermal tights were just right. Gloves came off within 20 minutes, but would have stayed on longer with no sun. Beret was okay… it was definitely warm, but tolerable. I took it off a couple times to see how much difference there was and it was negligible. In the same conditions, I could tolerate it being a touch too warm for the last few miles in the interest of costume perfection.
BUT, and this is a good point for the marathoners: did I ever miss having the brim of a hat or visor to block the sun, even though I had on sunglasses. I’d only have to deal with a few miles of sun in the half, and it won’t be high enough to make a brim effective, anyway, but for the marathoners who aren’t finishing in 3ish hours? Yeah - I’d want that brim.
A couple unexpected points of interest…
I went though my 12oz bottle of Tailwind faster than I normally do - that usually lasts me 6+ miles, but I drink to thirst and I went through it in 5. And I was HUNGRY shortly after finishing. I forget how much more fluid and calories I need in the cold, so that was a good reminder.
The cold, dry air outside + really, really dry heated air inside he last 24 hours has wreaked havoc with my lungs and sinuses, both of which were burning at the end of my run and I got a slight nosebleed. I use an inhaler for asthma, but will also make sure to pack some saline spray to lube my sinuses.
Now, of course, the half forecast has flipped again to warmer conditions, so all of this data collection may be for nought at my end lol! #stillbringingitall
