Anyone know much about how the UV index affects you verses the temperature during a race? With so many longer distance tris happening in the peak UV part of the day, I’m wondering if I am more affected by that or the actual temperature? Especially for a race with a run that is non-shaded…Curious if anyone’s looked into this.
Anyone know much about how the UV index affects you verses the temperature during a race? With so many longer distance tris happening in the peak UV part of the day, I’m wondering if I am more affected by that or the actual temperature? Especially for a race with a run that is non-shaded…Curious if anyone’s looked into this.
I’m pretty sure UV index is technically an index that describes how fast someone might get a sunburn. You could have a high UV index (you will burn quickly) but a low temp/heat index. Infrared rays are what heat you up. There are some studies that suggest UV actually helps performance, although I still wonder if there’s enough data to suggest it’s worth getting a sunburn to increase testosterone.
I’ve been in ideal running conditions low 50s with crazy high UV index. This usually is a mountainous/plateau case.
You are shocked at how much you burn in cool weather. Even worse if there is snow on the ground reflecting the light.
https://www.consumerreports.org/sun-protection/using-uv-index-protect-your-skin/
*And because snow reflects the sun’s rays, the UV index on a sunny day at a ski area can be as high as—or higher than—it is at the beach (especially when you also factor in the effect of altitude). Snow reflects as much as 80 percent of UV rays (and UV increases by about 2 percent for every 1,000 feet of elevation), compared with 15 percent for sand and 10 percent for water, according to the EPA. *
When it comes to the effect of heat on your ability to race UV really doesn’t matter. Temperature, humidity, dew point, play the DECISIVE roll.
Take 2 days, same temps, same dew point, same humidity. One day have thin clouds then next day nothing.
You’re going to feel hotter on the cloudless day. One of the biggest problems we have here in Tucson is how brutal the sun it.
100f isn’t really that hot when you’re running in the shade. When you’re running in the sun it’s brutal.
I have to agree with your statement. UV Index is a rating of exposure and it does certainly influence the effects of heat. The more exposed to direct sun on a warm or hot day, the more of an effect it will have on the body.
When I finished IM 70.3 Des Moines I was more exposed than some fellow racers. The Heat Index was 90F at finish and UV Index was 10. The race was delayed 3 hours and I had to take a big ass detour that resulted in me being way at the back of the swim start in a mosh pit.
My friends finished at 1:30pm and it was closer to 2pm for me. I know every additional minute on course was a detriment to my OA finish time.
Sunburn is the body experiencing inflammation and inflammed bodies are not fast bodies.
Sunburn fatigues you and anything that reduces sunburn makes you faster. High UV days probabyl don’t slow you down after 30 mins but after 5 hours…they will.
IMO: Athletes should try to avoid sunburn during training and racing to maximize improvement.