Adarq.org

After getting a headache 2km into my intended 3km test today I got frustrated. My result, 2km in 7:46, translates to a 20:30 5k by pace, which means essentially zero improvement over the last year. I haven't been the most consistent with training but I haven't been a complete slouch, either. Zero improvement would be depressing. So I did a bit of research about running the heat. Turns out, humidity is worse than heat because it impedes sweating. That makes sense. It has been super humid here this summer.

Humidity is measured by % or by dew point. This article - https://runnersconnect.net/dew-point-effect-running/ - from Runners Connect showing the dew point effect on running. Forgive the fucked up formatting, hopefully it's legible at least.

Dew Point in °F (°C)                 Performance Adjustment   Easy Running   Hard Running
<55 °F (12°C)                         0%                                   Unaffected           Unaffected
55°F (13°C) to 60 °F (15°C)      1%                                   Unaffected           Slightly difficult
60°F (16°C) to 65 °F (18°C)      2-3%                                Slightly difficult   Difficult
65°F (18°C) to 70°F (21°C)      3-5%                                 Difficult           Very difficult
70°F (21°C) to 75°F (23°C)      5-8%                                 Difficult           Very difficult
75°F (23°C) to 80°F (25°C)      12-15%                             Very difficult   Not recommended
Above 80°F (25°C)                      Just run                         Not recommended  Not recommended

Anyway the dew point here today is 75 degrees, and air temp 90. According to the chart that means easy running should be difficult and hard running very difficult, edging into not recommended. Calculators should always be taken with a grain of salt but it's a bit of a relief to see how much of an impact the dew point is expected to have.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I can't wait to run in cooler and less humid weather. Only one way to find out how true this all is.

Also, adarq, for the love of god: Get yourself to some autumn races where it's cool and dry. Like go as far north as North Carolina at least, in October or November. I'm tryna see you run 16:20.

Some other stuff I found in my researches:

cool multi-output estimator: https://fellrnr.com/wiki/Running_Calculator
dew point calculator: http://www.dpcalc.org/
race time estimator: https://www.chicagoendurancesports.com/racepredict.htm