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NEW VDOT, still poor run perfomance overall

FrattoFratto
in General Training Discussions

Another succesful VDOT test.  Ran my 5K in 20:40. This is a 20 second improvement on my last test. I was suprised to see this since I have had such poor running lately. I have not been able to hold paces or really hit much interval work at all.

Could the lack of perfomance be due to when I run? I am forced to run my long runs around 4PM in the heat and humidity after work. Does heat and humidity make that much of a difference for you guys? I feel like I could not hit my long run times from a few months ago to save my life. this has made my pacing strategy for my HIM in a month very cinfusing. But atleast my swim and bike are feeling strong!

Any thoughts?

Comments

  • Steven FordSteven Ford

    I would say that heat and humidity does play a role, plus the fact you have been doing other things as well. How far off th pace are you in the afternoon? Anyway of sneaking in a morning run once in a while to see if  there is a difference?

    No matter what you still improved and that is a mighty fine time.

  • FrattoFratto
    Well my past times for a Half Marathon are 1:48 flat and 1:52 on a hillier course. When I do my long runs now I have been dying at the end of the 2 hour duration and barely being over 13.1 miles and had not been able to put in any interval work.
    My wife is out of town for 2 weeks so I will have a very flexible schedule I will sneak a few runs in the morning and go to work late and see. Thanks for the good idea!
  • mgraffeomgraffeo

    Great job with another PR!

    Working out at 4pm could affect you, and conditions could be a piece of it.  I'd recommend considering the other factors, as well:

    • Nutrition timing - if you last ate at lunch, and then go out to run at 4, you'd want to make sure to get something in your system about an hour beforehand or so
    • Energy lulls - lots of folks get tired mid-afternoon.  If you find yourself that way, that may not be the best time for you to work out.
    • Using lots of caffeine in the am - if so, the energy levels will drop at some point late afternoon
    • Other life stresses - if you're doing a lot of stressful work in the afternoon, then it may be difficult to reach your targets on a run

    I know that the research says that working out later in the day produces better results (higher measured outputs like FTP, Vdot) than working out earlier.  However, I've always had trouble with my energy levels at that hour. 

    Good luck. 

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