Okay, so as many Slowtwitchers seem to focus a great deal on bike aerodynamics (including myself)…why do very few (if any) consider aerodynamics of running? For example, most runners wear a hat/visor which “aerodynamically speaking” would be a “sail” slowing a runner down. Obviously one would not wear such a non-aero item on the bike. Accordingly, why is it a non-issue running?
Or, is it as some state “at slower speeds aero doesn’t really matter?”
I run in my Aero helmet all the time.
Aero always matters, but (in overly simplified form) it is proportional to the square of velocity, so decreasing speed a little affect total drag a lot and vice-a-versa. At the speeds most runners run at it isn’t going to pose much of an issue as compared to the HUGE frontal area your body has already and then that is minor compared to the MAJOR force in running which is the non stop lifting of your full body weight over and over. So while it does matter, it matters VERY little comparatively and could be argued that the increase in performance you get from being able to stuff cold rags/sponges underneath, keep the sun off your head and thus your temp down more than outweighs the aerodynamic penalty of such a thing.
That being said, if you don’t need a hat for the above stated reasons clearly it makes no sense to take even the small aero penalty.
Maybe not at IM speeds but on the athletics track, sure, why not go for aero? It worked for Cathy Freeman to take gold in the 400m at Sydney 2000 Olympic Games:
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd226/ASimmons/CathyFreeman.png
I’ve been hard at work all winter in my basement developing a tear drop shaped, low frontal area, breathable self cooling cryo suit/bubble designed specifically for running. It keeps you body temp. down to a constant 98.6 degrees regardless of outside ambient air temperature. Look for it out this summer. It space aged stuff and the MSRP will be around $4500.99. Oh and it will come with a cool carrying case and UVA/UVB glasses, and of course compression socks. It’s guaranteed to last for 6 races or 100 miles whichever comes first. In clinical studies it’s been shown to reduce your run speed by 2.5 seconds/mile!!! That’s an amazing 66 seconds in an ironman marathon.
Interested?
That is really cool to be so fast as to actually need that.
Will it be dimpled?
I’ve been hard at work all winter in my basement developing a tear drop shaped, low frontal area, breathable self cooling cryo suit/bubble designed specifically for running. It keeps you body temp. down to a constant 98.6 degrees regardless of outside ambient air temperature. Look for it out this summer. It space aged stuff and the MSRP will be around $4500.99. Oh and it will come with a cool carrying case and UVA/UVB glasses, and of course compression socks. It’s guaranteed to last for 6 races or 100 miles whichever comes first. In clinical studies it’s been shown to reduce your run speed by 2.5 seconds/mile!!! That’s an amazing 66 seconds in an ironman marathon.
Interested?
98.6 isn’t optimal.
Well, in my basement, I’ve been developing a molding helmet for my firstborn son. It will mold his head into a perfect tear drop shape by the time he hits puberty. Should take off 3-5 seconds per mile. That’s not counting all the speed work any child would get running away from bullies because of his funny-looking head.