Fly on the Wall

if i remember right, that was Galloway who gave those figures... I think those times are somewhat inflated.

but there is definitely a slow-down factor. my question is do you get the same fitness benefit from running at your threshold pace in the heat? (even though it is a slower pace than in cool weather)

Regardless, good running!

I actually learned in physiology why that is the case. During exercise the muscle and skin receive about 75% (~20L/min) of cardiac output of total blood volume. If you exercise in a cool environment, nearly all of the cardiac output will be moving through the muscle, which allows you to perform optimally. Under warmer conditions, however, more cardiac output must be sent to the skin to cool the body, which reduces the cardiac output ot the muscle and reduces exercise capacity. The greater the heat, the more cardiac output will be necessary to cool you down, and hence the less available for the muscles. Pretty dang cool if you ask me!!!

Regardless ... awesome run Fly. Very very very impressive. Can't believe you would even consider a run like that in the heat. Crazy boy!!!!

Wow you learn something new every day! I knew the heat killed me but now I know why!

Great run Mark even if it was in the heat.

If you come to Havasu and run in the middle of the day, you can walk your tempo run with RW's 30secs per mile per 5 degrees over 60.

Thanks for the explanation Teena. But what is the answer to Cal's question?

Rhett, I've been in Havasu during the heat of summer during the middle of the day, and I think I would be walking my tempo runs. I also remember going to the river, near Needles with my dad as a kid. It was hot through the night and hotter than hades during the day. The river wasn't even refreshing. The only way to escape the heat was to dive deep to find cooler water, but I couldn't hold my breath long enough. My dad worked through a summer as a baggage handler at the Palm Springs airport. I can't imagine how hot the tarmac is when it is 120F in the shade.

Fly, your dad must be one tough man to work through the summer as a baggage handler. I guess that is where you get your endurance and toughness.

Hey Fly, my professor and I actually talked about this ... the answer is yes and no. Yes, you will get the same cardio benefit, but no, you will not get the same benefit of running a faster speed in regards to muscle development, memorization, etc. In fact, he was telling me how some people "blood dope" during training but not before an event (of course it is illegal) because the benefit of training with it will translate in better muscle development, memorization, etc.

Anyway, that is my 2 cents according to my professor's 2 cents. But then again ... your body gets used to running in the heat, so that could be a benefit in itself in some races.

Great stuff. Thanks for the lessons. I know one thing when the temps start to fall, the speed and enjoyment come back!

Regardless of all the science, trail running in the heat = slower than expected times. That has always been my experience.

"Fly, your dad must be one tough man to work through the summer as a baggage handler." I hadn't thought about it like that before, but maybe you're right. On the other hand, he died the following spring.