General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Correlation of cold weather running speed to warm weather running speed? Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2008-12-21 8:02 AM

User image

Master
2356
20001001001002525
Fenton, MI
Subject: Correlation of cold weather running speed to warm weather running speed?

I was out on a long run yesterday, with a the MI BT crew.  It was a typical winter day for us,  About 15 degrees Fahrenheit, a little wind, and a little snow on the trail.  Someone suggested that the cold temps slow you down, as compared to running in warmer summertime temps.  Now I've always assumed that winter speeds are slower than summer because of extra clothing and more slippery conditions. 

So, my question is, is there a reason that colder weather makes you run slower because of the temp? 

I'd love some data or links to go behind it.  Thanks.



2008-12-21 8:06 AM
in reply to: #1865630

User image

Pro
4828
2000200050010010010025
The Land of Ice and Snow
Subject: RE: Correlation of cold weather running speed to warm weather running speed?
I actually run FASTER in the winter.....
2008-12-21 8:07 AM
in reply to: #1865630

User image

Master
2356
20001001001002525
Fenton, MI
Subject: RE: Correlation of cold weather running speed to warm weather running speed?

At a given air pressure, and a temp swing of about 60 degrees F, there should be about a 11% difference in air density.  Shoot, I'll grab the link.  The point being that the air is actually less dense at the warmer temp.

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/air-temperature-pressure-density-d_771.html

I used the numbers of 30 to 90, in the first column of pressures.  I can't remember atmospheric pressure in psi, offhand.

2008-12-21 8:08 AM
in reply to: #1865633

User image

Master
2356
20001001001002525
Fenton, MI
Subject: RE: Correlation of cold weather running speed to warm weather running speed?

aquagirl - 2008-12-21 9:06 AM I actually run FASTER in the winter.....

Inside, outside, or both?

2008-12-21 8:10 AM
in reply to: #1865630

User image

Master
1996
1000500100100100100252525
Woodbridge , Virginia
Subject: RE: Correlation of cold weather running speed to warm weather running speed?
i'm faster and not as stressed in cold weather... i like the cold.
2008-12-21 8:16 AM
in reply to: #1865630

User image

Cycling Guru
15134
50005000500010025
Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: Correlation of cold weather running speed to warm weather running speed?

Ideal running temperature is around 50 degrees.  At my USATF seminar the endurance coach pointed out a study that showed for every 5 degrees above, you would expect a 0.5% decrease in performance.  There was NO loss below 50.

No references, sorry.  But it is also common sense.  Cooler air, more oxygen rich (dense), easier for the body to stay cool.  About 70% of the energy you produce is a waste product of heat because the body is not all that efficient.  So cooler temps allow that heat to dissipate better.



2008-12-21 8:17 AM
in reply to: #1865637

User image

Pro
4828
2000200050010010010025
The Land of Ice and Snow
Subject: RE: Correlation of cold weather running speed to warm weather running speed?
matt3liv - 2008-12-21 9:08 AM

aquagirl - 2008-12-21 9:06 AM I actually run FASTER in the winter.....

Inside, outside, or both?

Well I only run outside so...outside!   Unless you count the speedwork at the indoor track once a week.......

 I think it is way easier to run in the cold than the heat...I cannot run in the heat.

2008-12-21 8:19 AM
in reply to: #1865630

User image

Master
2356
20001001001002525
Fenton, MI
Subject: RE: Correlation of cold weather running speed to warm weather running speed?

Just a guess, but is there any evidence that the uptake of oxygen is reduced at colder temps?

 

AG, like you, I am an outside exclusive.  No indoors at all though! 

2008-12-21 8:31 AM
in reply to: #1865630

User image

Champion
6046
5000100025
New York, NY
Subject: RE: Correlation of cold weather running speed to warm weather running speed?

I also run faster in the cold- that is when the ground is dry.

Today, in the snow, and with snow coming down I am sure I will be slow but it will be fun.  Friday's 2 runs were a perfect example for me - the mile repeats on the way to the gym were before the snow and the run home was in the snow....way slower - but I did not have my yak traks either....

2008-12-21 8:34 AM
in reply to: #1865650

User image

Pro
4828
2000200050010010010025
The Land of Ice and Snow
Subject: RE: Correlation of cold weather running speed to warm weather running speed?
matt3liv - 2008-12-21 9:19 AM

Just a guess, but is there any evidence that the uptake of oxygen is reduced at colder temps?

 

AG, like you, I am an outside exclusive.  No indoors at all though! 

I have only been to the indoor track a handful of times for this coached speedwork thingy......not as nice as outside but a million times better than a dreadmill......I refuse to run on a dreadmill!!
2008-12-21 9:22 AM
in reply to: #1865630

User image

Extreme Veteran
336
10010010025
Chicago
Subject: RE: Correlation of cold weather running speed to warm weather running speed?
Snow and ice slow me down, cold does not.  Of course I've not run in anything colder then -10 degrees so maybe colder then that will affect me.  I think it's more likely that the additional clothing you have to wear at those temps causes people to slow down more then the temps themselves.


2008-12-21 9:29 AM
in reply to: #1865630

User image

Champion
19812
50005000500020002000500100100100
MA
Subject: RE: Correlation of cold weather running speed to warm weather running speed?
I agree that 50s and even 40s is ideal temperature for me to run in and I'm faster. I have had some great tri runs when its been in the 50s.
2008-12-21 10:33 AM
in reply to: #1865630

User image

Expert
968
5001001001001002525
Wellington, North Island
Subject: RE: Correlation of cold weather running speed to warm weather running speed?
My long slow pace is not affected too much by the cold, but if I try to pick up the pace at all I struggle if the temps get near zero. My muscles, especially my hamstrings, get really tight and I have a harder time breathing even at only a slightly increased intensity.

Edited by MissKelly 2008-12-21 10:33 AM
2008-12-21 10:35 AM
in reply to: #1865644

User image

Expert
608
500100
St. Louis
Subject: RE: Correlation of cold weather running speed to warm weather running speed?
Daremo 

  About 70% of the energy you produce is a waste product of heat because the body is not all that efficient.  

 More effecient than anything else...

 Also, when running on compacted snow (a lot more for powder/slush) you should add about 1:30 - 2:00 to your mile time.  

I watched a video about the 2008 olympic marathon trials and Alan Culpepper (??) training run were on snow and he was running at 6:45 pace.  He siad on pavement he would have been going 5:45.  That's 1 min. difference and he's at the top, so I added more to the time you should add (above).

2008-12-21 10:44 AM
in reply to: #1865630

User image

Champion
7553
500020005002525
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Correlation of cold weather running speed to warm weather running speed?

When the temps dropped this fall (70F to 50F), I dropped about 30 seconds per mile for the same HR

At lower temps, it takes longer to warm up and that shows up in my overall pace, but I'm not unhappy with where I am these days. 

Running in the snow or on ice does slow me down. 

2008-12-21 11:43 AM
in reply to: #1865630

User image

Coach
10487
50005000100100100100252525
Boston, MA
Subject: RE: Correlation of cold weather running speed to warm weather running speed?
just pure anecdotal evidence but unless the actual snow is slowing me down my pace remains pretty even when cold or hot up to high 70s


2008-12-21 12:00 PM
in reply to: #1865630

User image

Master
1853
10005001001001002525
syracuse
Subject: RE: Correlation of cold weather running speed to warm weather running speed?
snow, ice and the resulting effect on traction is what will slow me down.....cooler temp has little to do with it, that my experience
2008-12-21 1:09 PM
in reply to: #1865630

User image

Pro
6011
50001000
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: Correlation of cold weather running speed to warm weather running speed?

There was something in a recent issue of either Runners World or Triathlete that said times get slower as temperatures increase, but elites experience more of a performance drop than age groupers.  I'll have to see if I still have the magazine to check the particulars.

Comparing running on snow in cold weather vs running on pavement in warm weather adds a variable other than air temp.  You need to compare "apples to apples", eliminating as many other environmental factors as possible.  Changing the condition of the running surface from pavement to snow would have a significant impact on times.  It also wouldn't work to compare a run at 90 degrees with a 20 mph tail wind and a run at 40 degrees and a 20 mph head wind if you're trying to determine the effects of temperature.

New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Correlation of cold weather running speed to warm weather running speed? Rss Feed