Yesterday, I decided to do a sweat test to figure out my sweat rate in these conditions. I lost nearly 5% of my body weight on a 7min/mile paced 10 miler. Here's the "scientific" report that I sent my running group after the run:
Abstract:
I did a sweat test on today's run and thought you all would be interested in the results.
Methodology:
Prior to the run, I weighed myself nude at on the digital scale at the ARC. During the run, I wore a fuel belt and drank measured amounts of water. After the run, I dried off and then weighed myself nude again using the same scale.
Results:
Pre-run weight: 155.9 lbs
Water consumed: 40 ozs (2.5 lbs)
Post-run weight: 151.2 lbs
Run time: 1:10:00
Distance: ~10 mi
Weather: 90 F, 54% humidity, 12.7mph W wind, mostly clear with a few clouds
Total weight lost during run = 155.9 lbs - 151.2 lbs + 2.5 lbs = 7.2 lbs
Discussion:
During the course of the run, I lost 115.2 ozs, which we can attribute mostly to fluid loss and possibly the liquification and sweating out of a significant quantity of brain matter. This is a sweat rate of 98.7 ozs / hour or 1.65 ozs / min. If I were drinking water from a shot glass during the run, I would have to take a shot every 55 seconds to maintain my weight.
Conclusion:
Running is dumb.
Many alternate conclusions were propsed like "running in today's conditions is dumb" or "summer in the midwest is dumb." Regardless, I'm sure I'll keep on doing it.
