This was an idea whose time has come. Not sure how many people are aware of the one mile record but it is substantially more cumbersome than the standard work done in this suit. 5k was off the charts BUT the idea served its purpose so as to generate new ideas within reasonable parameters. Not knowing what to expect we set off in last place, behind a man in a shark costume. After running for about 15-20 minutes it become obvious that the suit is as impermeable as the US Army T.A.P. (toxicological agents protective) suit or a rubber suit. The natural inclination was to default to my metabolic strength which entailed picking up the pace while adding bouts of walking (from pole to pole). The speed was equivalent to maintaining a slow jog but more metabolically accommodating. As the heat reached critical mass I was relegated to walking and dousing the cracks and exposed areas with water from the water stop. This provided no relief as the water just heated up instantly creating a merciless steam bath. At the the third kilometer my partner and I traded ensembles. Dressing him out and donning his body armor was an exercise in futility as the frustration from heat eroded my patience. By the fourth kilometer I was cooled down and ready to turn on the afterburners. We traded ensembles again, this time plenty patient and eager to move with a purpose. The issue of heat has never been so paramount. Cooling off (in body armor) for one kilometer made a substantial difference. After donning the suit for the final kilometer a steady run pace was easily maintained and even pushed in the end. Shorter distances, i.e. the mile are more a function of fitness so long as the thermostat doesn't have time to blow. This is NOT the final chapter but a prologue or a promise. More to come.
Wow! Way to power through it guys...impressive.
ReplyDeleteThis was an idea whose time has come. Not sure how many people are aware of the one mile record but it is substantially more cumbersome than the standard work done in this suit. 5k was off the charts BUT the idea served its purpose so as to generate new ideas within reasonable parameters. Not knowing what to expect we set off in last place, behind a man in a shark costume. After running for about 15-20 minutes it become obvious that the suit is as impermeable as the US Army T.A.P. (toxicological agents protective) suit or a rubber suit. The natural inclination was to default to my metabolic strength which entailed picking up the pace while adding bouts of walking (from pole to pole). The speed was equivalent to maintaining a slow jog but more metabolically accommodating. As the heat reached critical mass I was relegated to walking and dousing the cracks and exposed areas with water from the water stop. This provided no relief as the water just heated up instantly creating a merciless steam bath. At the the third kilometer my partner and I traded ensembles. Dressing him out and donning his body armor was an exercise in futility as the frustration from heat eroded my patience. By the fourth kilometer I was cooled down and ready to turn on the afterburners. We traded ensembles again, this time plenty patient and eager to move with a purpose. The issue of heat has never been so paramount. Cooling off (in body armor) for one kilometer made a substantial difference. After donning the suit for the final kilometer a steady run pace was easily maintained and even pushed in the end. Shorter distances, i.e. the mile are more a function of fitness so long as the thermostat doesn't have time to blow. This is NOT the final chapter but a prologue or a promise. More to come.
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