Daremo - 2008-06-04 11:10 AM
Not right off hand. It was just something that was talked about after the Chicago marathon fiasco and some of the resident physiologists chimed in on it and said that. Logically it makes total sense as you will have created another layer of substance on your body besides your sweat that then has to be evaporated off. Think of the thin layer of water that is trapped by a wetsuit that helps to actually insulate and warm you up when you are wearing one.
(Oh, as an aside, I'm really thinking about doing Savageman this year!)
This site is a couple of years old but the author does recommend occasionally cold water over your head to help cool you down:
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_1/hot-weather-running.shtml
I hear what you're saying but think the primary factor will be the humidity. The higher the humidity, the harder it is to evaporate moisture away from your body. I served a short while in Saudi Arabia where the relative humidity is extremely low
(10% or lower
). We had a swimming pool there and coming out of it, you got really chilled even though it was over 100.
And unfortunately, it will be rather humid on raceday. Two possible related weather phenom that could save us is that a sea breeze from the bay might start up since the bay's kinda chilly still and maybe a very isolated shower
(but that's not as likely
).
For more on recognizing heat problems:
http://walkingrunning.suite101.com/article.cfm/runners_guide_to_hea...
BTW, one thing folks may want to consider is at least trying to wipe away excess sweat from your face and skin if you can. Read this in some cycling circles somewhere indicating the salt and oils will tend to clog your pores cutting down on your ability to cool via sweat. So perhaps moisten a towel, wash your face, and dry it a bit to allow sweat to start again would help.
For those who want to follow the weather forecast:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/akq/
You can click on the map to the NW of Salisbury and get the latest forecast for Cambridge. Once you do that, you can also get an hourly weather graph from the Additional Forecasts & Information section lower in the page.
I never thought I'd think about having rain again during an event after the deluge I faced in the Kinetic Sprint this April. But looking at the forecast, I might actually prefer a bit of rain instead.
Everyone keep cool, prepare for the heat, and be safe!
Edited by sbrdave 2008-06-04 11:58 AM