Orlando Weather for Running Report As Promised
I was there this weekend for a conference, and the weather was, shall I say, none too promising for the Tower of Terror. Here are the gory details.
Thursday night
I arrive at my hotel, the Swan, at 11:30 p.m. and it is 80 degrees and easily 100% humidity. On the drive from the airport i actually had to run my windshield wipers, as it was so humid that the outside air on the cold windshield created condensation. The best word for the conditions was stifling. Similar to the Jan 6 and 7 2007 WDW half and full. If it is like this on Saturday evening, someone please stop and scrape me up off the course.
Friday
I'm up early and out for a 5K. A loop of crescent lake, then out and back to the Disney Studios boat dock is 2.33 miles. Throw in another lake loop and I have 3.1. It is really humid, but seems a bit cooler, but I as sweating like a dog.
I leave for the conference hotel at 9 and by the time I've walked 100 meters to the car perspiration is running off my forehead. As the day goes on it seems to dry out a bit. Still hot as hades, but not killer humidity. Friday night isn't as bad as the last night, but still no fun.
Saturday
Opens with a downpour, which conveniently finishes at 8:40 as I step out of my car in the EPCOT parking lot. The temperature stays in the 70's and in spite of clouds it is less humid. I think it's now or never, so at 4 pm I start a 12.5 mile run on my crescent lake and studios loop and out and back. I run by a wedding in the white patio/gazeebo by the ESPN club several times, and wonder if this qualifies me as a Wedding Crasher. The run is fine, but man is that concrete hard. I wanted 14 but figured another step wouldn't be good for my legs.
Through the run it really wasn't too bad. I was sweating pretty good, and did warm up, but never felt the nuclear head inside my body which happens in really miserable humidity. If it's like this for TOT I'll be able to cope.
Sunday
Is a near replay of Thursday. I step outside into brutal humidity aroung 8:30 am, then run back to my air conditioned room. I head out to the Magic Kingdom at 10:30 and it's pretty awful. The thermometer in the rental car shows 90 and the humidity is way up there.
Also monster thunderstorms come in as I'm driving to the airport and the temp on the car's thermometer drops to 79 in 2 minutes. At least I know the temperature of the rain.
I had planned to air it out at the TOT, but if it doesn't cool down I'll try to show some intelligence. Try does not equal will, so we'll see.
Best
Craig
Okay folks--I know you guys aren't around here...but you are seriously cracking me up with this "humidity" talk!
Kind of reminds me when I go up north in the wintertime shivering in 40 degree weather and the locals laughing at the cute little Florida girl who thinks it is cold.
I really mean no disrespect...but it is kind of funny. Right around October 1--we can smell fall in the air..enjoying the humidity lightening up.
Well--I am going for my walk midday today (thanks to the hubby!
) so we will see if I am still laughing or
.
In any case--the humidity (to me) feels different in the fall even if the numbers suggest it is high.
Stay safe everyone! At least with the sun not being out, it should be a good ToT event for you! And what's a race without sweat anyway?
Kristin - Nice job on the 16 miles. I may have to try that indoor/outdoor stragey soon. I used to take Motrin during LR's but switched to Tylenol. There are some studies claiming dehydration from ibuprofen and I don't need to lose any more water than I have to.
Actually--it isn't dehydration..it's the hyponatremia b/c it causes the body to extrete too much sodium (and thus in essence...you become overhydrated in laymen's terms). Symptoms are similar to dehydration which is why in races if you show those signs, the first course of action isn't to give you water right away. Basically do not take any NSAIDS during a run/walk which include Advil, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, naproxin, and aspirin. (I googled to get the precise details--I am shocked that about.com suggests trying it on a training run to see how your body reacts.
The racing world has pretty much come to agreement to avoid those products during a run. Studies also suggest that it is ineffective as a medication to avoid any of the pain that it is meant to help with.)
When you get your marathon materials in the mail, they will have a section that states all this information as well (Though not sure they get into the why you shouldn't take it.) And though it SEEMS they do this since the sponsor is tylenol---they aren't in cahoots to have you take their med over NSAIDs to make money or anything. And even during the race..they will mark your bib if they give you tylenol as they will only give it to you once.
But it is the opposite of what you are reading. You don't lose water..you lose sodium. And though water is wonderful and necessary during an endurance event--too much can be a bad thing. That is also why they have sports drinks and why it is suggested to consume a salt packet at about mile 18-20..in order to replenish sodium in your body that is lost while you are doing that activity.
Sorry for all the details--but it is the ever important annual reminder.
All of a sudden there is so much to do and so little time in which to do it!!! See you all at ToT!
Are you freakin' kidding me!!!!! At least we don't leave town until Thursday. I'm gonna call his Dr. as soon as they open up this morning and hope they give me some good advice--not just the "wait it out" approach--anyone ever fly with an unhappy sick 2 year old--
Oh, and talked to SIL yesterday and she's still a go for Sat. night--but she says that you can't pay her. I told her that ya'll could fight it out.
Is it Sunday or Saturday night?
I am supposed to do a 22 mile run while down there 
