So, I live outside of Phoenix, and the weekend is shaping up to be a scorcher- they’re predicting 116 on Saturday. For me, training outdoors in that is a no-go (I see no value in it). It got me imagining what it would be like to complete an Ironman in extreme heat, and what might be the temperature limit for such an endeavor. So, if you’ll indulge me, I have some questions for you all:
Any of you know what the high temperature record for a past Ironman might be? If so, what was it?
On a personal level, what is the highest recorded temperature in an Ironman that you might have competed in? What was the experience like?
Actually there is some evidence to show there is an extra training effect from heat. My coach Mark Allen just had a team webinar last night about that very topic. There is some interesting research and his experiences were pretty eye opening in some ways, specifically caloric intake and fluid absorption. I am of the opinion that the mental aspect is even more tough.
Myself, I have done Hawaii twice, the first was crazy hot and humid after a downpour, but don’t know actual temps. I did the Nice tri years ago in 92, and 70.3 Worlds was also 92. If one does not dwell on it, it is not as bad as one would think.
So, I live outside of Phoenix, and the weekend is shaping up to be a scorcher- they’re predicting 116 on Saturday. For me, training outdoors in that is a no-go (I see no value in it). It got me imagining what it would be like to complete an Ironman in extreme heat, and what might be the temperature limit for such an endeavor. So, if you’ll indulge me, I have some questions for you all:
Any of you know what the high temperature record for a past Ironman might be? If so, what was it?
On a personal level, what is the highest recorded temperature in an Ironman that you might have competed in? What was the experience like?
I did IM France when my SRM recorded 38C on the Promenade des Anglais on my ride back to T2…this was basically the temp for the first half of the run. One of the years I did Kona, it got above 40C on the QueenK around scenic point, but in Kailua Kona it was “down” to 34C and probably by the time I ran out back to the QueenK around 34C in the lava fields too. So IM France was my hottest. In terms of my personal experience, I run fine in the heat. My IM PB runs were at these events (I had the identical split at both).
About 90F for me. I blew up. Drank two cups of fluids at every aid station. Grabbed two bottles of Gatorade after the race, and still got dehydrated so badly that after T2 I didn’t pee again until the next day. Finished trotting at 10 min/mile and then noticed I was completely covered in encrusted salt.
I actually love the heat. Just not running in the heat off the bike. LOL
Anyway, we are probably going to to hear from 2015 CdA finishers… That race was ridiculous.
I’ve never done a full IM only 70.3’s for me but Florida 70.3 back in 2008 got up to 96-98 somewhere around there after a short shower on the bike. It was brutal, like a damn steam oven on the run.
My one and only IM in Whister 2014 got up to 38 C (100F) down in pemberton. There was no wind in the valley, no wind on the climb back to Whistler. It was the hottest race I’ve ever done, and it killed me.
I went for a run in Thailand when it was 46*C and 2000% humidity. That was pretty stupid.
My one and only IM in Whister 2014 got up to 38 C (100F) down in pemberton. There was no wind in the valley, no wind on the climb back to Whistler. It was the hottest race I’ve ever done, and it killed me.
I went for a run in Thailand when it was 46*C and 2000% humidity. That was pretty stupid.
I forgot about that day in Whistler. You’re right it got hot, but since it was cool for the first half of the bike on the one hand the overall heat load was not as extreme, but on the other hand because it crept up on us from a start of 10C in the morning, it was really easy to get behind on hydration. I totally got dehydrated on the climb back from Pemberton, never caught up on the run and really lmploded in the second half of my run from being constantly behind…on the other hand, on my "totally hot’ races in Nice and Kona, I never got quite as behind on hydration.
My Garmin topped out at 97 at Kona last year. That may get elevated some from the sun shining directly on it but it was damn hot. Even the locals were complaining about the heat.
My one and only IM in Whister 2014 got up to 38 C (100F) down in pemberton. There was no wind in the valley, no wind on the climb back to Whistler. It was the hottest race I’ve ever done, and it killed me.
I went for a run in Thailand when it was 46*C and 2000% humidity. That was pretty stupid.
I forgot about that day in Whistler. You’re right it got hot, but since it was cool for the first half of the bike on the one hand the overall heat load was not as extreme, but on the other hand because it crept up on us from a start of 10C in the morning, it was really easy to get behind on hydration. I totally got dehydrated on the climb back from Pemberton, never caught up on the run and really lmploded in the second half of my run from being constantly behind…on the other hand, on my "totally hot’ races in Nice and Kona, I never got quite as behind on hydration.
My one and only DNF was Whistler 2014. Like you Dev I got totally dehydrated on that climb back to Whistler… so bad I pulled over and sat on a guardrail for about 10 minutes with zero energy and wicked leg cramps.
I live in Houston which is way hotter and more humid than Whistler but I was totally caught off guard by that heat for three reasons…
The forecast had temps at less than 80. Not sure where the 90+ came from so I wasn’t hydrating like I should have been.
I’m not used to dry, mountain heat like that. In Houston you know you’re hot because it’s also stupid humid so you’re always drenched.
I skipped an aid station because I thought they would be the same as 2013. I was wrong and went about an hour in the Pemberton Flats without any water or Perform.
Still wasn’t as bad as when I did IMTX though. But I knew and was prepared for that suck.
This was a picture I took on the road during the bike at Buffalo Springs 70.3 in 2011. I KNOW it was hotter out in those red clay cotton fields on the run, but my bad ass wife pounded it out and won her 65-69 AG with a 7:15. It was 103 on the shore of the lake.
Forgot to give a big hand to Buffalo Springs directors Mike and Marty Greer who wisely had golf carts with ice and water traveling between aid stations - a literal life saver! I think they were manned by Texas A&M student volunteers.
“The temperatures got up to 113 degrees F (45 degrees C) with a heat index over 122 degrees F (50 degrees C). It was nothing short of pure misery and insanity.”
This was a picture I took on the road during the bike at Buffalo Springs 70.3 in 2011. I KNOW it was hotter out in those red clay cotton fields on the run, but my bad ass wife pounded it out and won her 65-69 AG with a 7:15. It was 103 on the shore of the lake.