So I typically thrive in cold temperatures (nearly all of my PRs are below 40 degrees while several came in the low 20s). However, this latest cold blast (I'm in Chicago) has provided diminishing returns.
Two days ago it was negative 4 when I left to do a long run with a pressed final 6 miles. The splits were horrifyingly slow. Today it was about 8 degrees for my marathon pace workout, and I was probably about 20 seconds off of where I thought I should be, given my effort.
I've read that your organs get less oxygen at extreme cold temperatures but I'm wondering if there's anything a little more scientific or exact in regards to the precise impact per mile? So say you do a 5 mile tempo when it's 5 degrees outside, how much slower can you expect your body to be?
Thanks for any insight. I've been living under the delusion that it can't get too cold for me to run well.
