Running to keep from freezing! 12/7-12/13

Woke up this morning to the howl of wind whipping it's way around the corner of our deck. In the winter I always cringe at this sound because I know it will make for a cold run.

Sure enough after checking the weather & windchill advisories I had to make the choice of whether to brave the elements or not. I admit, I am feeling a bit chicken for December, but our temps literally dropped from an average of 30 above to single digits in a little over a week & that hasn't given me much time to acclimate yet.

Upon donning enough layers worthy of a Michelin Man I headed out for a cool -3F w/ -25 to -35 windchill 6miler. I wasn't sure I'd actually make it the full 6 before getting too cold, but once I started running it felt pretty comfortable & I ended up with 6.45 miles. :D Time for frosty eye lashes & insulated tights, but some beautiful sparkly snow winter runs!

And here I am complaining of the muggy conditions! Better than being frosty!
WOW, Urlea, I am impressed!

Back in the heat and humidity. One remembers intellectually how difficult it is to breathe here, but it's still a shock to the body every time.

4.5 miles yesterday at what ought to have been a fairly easy pace, but it was about all I could do. My HR was pushing 180 by the end of it. Aura lag and [looking at my training log, good grief, can this be true? but stress, family and moving will do this] hardly any exercise in the past three weeks.

Hoping to get settled and back into a routine, but fearing we'll have to visit the in-laws before that can happen.

Way to go Urlea. :D The hardest part of those cold weather runs is getting started, putting on less clothes than you'd wear to be freezing in the house....

I'm impressed, Urlea!

We've been having unusually cold weather here in Oregon. Yesterday morning it was 12 degrees when I got up at 4:30 for my 8 mile run. I layered up, looking in the mirror, and thought "Am I nuts??". I decided that yes, in fact it would be nuts to run in that temperature. ;) So I shed my thermals, put on run shorts and a shimmel, tossed on some warm clothes over it, and headed over to the gym.

8 booooooooooring miles on the treadmill later, it was over. At my pace, 8 miles takes a little over 80 minutes. I guess that's motivation for learning to run faster, eh?

I was glad today (also 12 degrees) was a swim day. The swim center is nice and warm.

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Originally Posted by Syndirelah

... thinking seriously now about setting up the trainer... :(

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I did that last night. Hadn't ridden the trainer in ages. It wasn't so awful, but it was a short workout. I'm sure it will get old, fast.

Wow, Urlea, that's totally brrrrrrr....

I chickened out this morning-- it was 22 F here, with 20 mph winds. Of course, tomorrow morning is predicted to be even colder, if less windy. Much as I hate running in the afternoon or evening, I'm beginning to feel edgy from sitting on my butt the past few days.

At least I've finally found my super-warm compression turtleneck...

Urlea, you're amazing! (said as I give the bowing gesture) I kept from freezing by going to the gym. We were at a "balmy" (compared to you) 12 degrees here, so I hit the treadmill. Not my favorite run, but a run nonetheless. I'd planned on doing a tempo run but I was so bored I ended up doing intervals.

I ran 3.8 this morning and it was bloody kuhkuhkuhkuhkold out there.

Used the Brooks with alpaca socks. I am a barefoot winter weenie.

Everything stayed warm except my butt. I guess that's the reason for shorts over capris?

And here I am looking forward to a cooler run this afternoon. :o Maybe only low 60's. You ladies are TOUGH!

This morning it was 16 F (windchill of 7) and I way overdressed for the conditions. After just a mile, I was sweltering, except for my numb fingers and toes... Just 3 miles, but it was good to get moving again...

Thank God, the weekend and start of next week are supposed to be warmer here. Into the 50's on Monday, hooray!

KAtluvr, I did a spittake at the screen when I read your posts, because both were exactly what I was thinking!

We are going to NY for Christmas, though, and I am nervous about attempting to run outside up there...

Great job, Urlea!

Urlea, that is amazing! I'm a total sissy and applaud myself for walking the dog in the morning. No way I would run in that kind of cold. 3.85 miles on the treadmill, bonus points for boredom. One more run at this distance, then it will be time to 'kick it up a notch' (I was watching Emeril....). Have a great day!

I haven't been able to run for a few days, since DS had snow days the last 2. Today he was back in school and I wanted to get in 4-5, but it was in the teens with 2ºF windchill and my asthmatic lungs weren't having it. So I did 3.3 and called it a day. I did use the last couple of days to put some miles on my bike on the trainer, so it wasn't a complete loss.

You ladies are amazing! I'm woosing out at 28 degrees and going to the gym for a swim. You are truly inspiring though. Next time I think how cold it is here, I'll think of frosty eyelashes and -30 windchill. I tip my hat to you, Urlea. What dedication!

Ran 3.26 today in the Brooks. Legs felt sluggish. Tomorrow I'll do my long run in the VFFs as it is supposed to be 30+ degrees.

20 df today... Was warm in leggs stockings (my tights are in the wash) under yoga pants, a wicking t with a long sleeved wicking on top, my PI whisper jacket on top. Wore fleece gloves but they came off at mile 1. Head had a wicking balacava, alpaca hat, and a buff around the neck to pull up if I needed to cover the nose. All of that was fine and maybe a little too warm. Cotton socks on top of the tights worked fine.

Ran 4.5 miles in a blizzard earlier this week. 30-40 mph wind gusts, 12 degrees, lots of snow.

So, I have a little secret to staying warm: I strategically place Grabbers Toe warmers in my sports bra. Works like a charm.

5 miles scheduled for tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be nice and mild.
It's my first week of training for a 25k in May.

Lime, funny idea! On me, that's like the last place to get cold though.

I'm just the opposite here... trying to acclimate to the heat and humidity again. Moving is just a shock to the system physically and mentally. So, just over 6 miles at a moderate pace, not trying to push anything yet. My HR was still pushing 180 by the end of it, but at least I finished the whole thing without walking and without wanting to cry. :rolleyes:

So I "blew" off Friday's run. Just getting in miles is not the thing to do right now if they are not quality.
This AM it was very pleasant. A bit on the warmer side, but dryer. I did 5.1 (I think) miles. I pushed myself to get my pace up. Still not where I want or need it to be, but I was pleased. About 10:30 min mile. I didn't walk, and felt pretty good.

Tomorrow is the BIG run...hope I have lots of energy!
Should be warm and balmy. The humdity is just not leaving us!

(Oh I wore shorts and a dry fit short sleeve top...I didnt' get cold ;) )

K

Yesterday was my first long run. I did 6 miles and averaged 12 min per mile. It was 55 and I wore capris and a long sleeve shirt, I was hot.

I haven't run at all in the past week! I've been hiking and swimming quite a bit instead. Yesterday was a 7.2 mile hike over Mt. Wachusett and back, in the snow. Maybe I'll have a run to post today or tomorrow...

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Originally Posted by Jones

Yesterday was my first long run. I did 6 miles and averaged 12 min per mile. It was 55 and I wore capris and a long sleeve shirt, I was hot.

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YAY Jones!! :D

(I'm a chronic overheater...give me 20F or lower any day...55 is a heatwave to me, at least this time of year :p )

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Originally Posted by Jolt

I haven't run at all in the past week! I've been hiking and swimming quite a bit instead. Yesterday was a 7.2 mile hike over Mt. Wachusett and back, in the snow. Maybe I'll have a run to post today or tomorrow...

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I envy you that hike! Sounds like fun!

I ran 6.25 this morning in my VFFs. I took a pair of old tube socks and cut the toes off, and that kept the tops of my feet and ankles nice and warm. The VFFs were fine - I really like them better than the running shoes. What a conundrum, because I am slower in them. I ran 11 mm, but then part of that was trail (about 2 miles.) I picked up a pretty black lab at the house at the top of the trail and despite my yelling at her to go home, decided to run the next 3 miles with me. Then she turned around and went home. All in all a great run despite a little knee pain in the right knee - I get that worse with shoes - I still think it's a form issue.

30df: Wore capris gym style pants, sports bra with long sleeved shirt and t-shirt over that, PI jacket (too much) and balacava with buff around the neck (came off at mile 2) and polar fleece gloves (also came off at mile 2.) Wore a fuel belt with two half filled bottles.

Just let me say that each of us vary on our idea of what "too cold to run" is. It's not so much a matter of being hard core as it is being acclimated or familiar with how low the lows can get and getting out there anyway. If 60 or 30F is cold to you and you got out there & ran, Kudos! Winter doesn't mean we have to be gerbils, be brave. :)

Went out for a 12miler yesterday. The 6f above zero was an improvement from my Wed. run.

My running buddy texted me on Friday to tell to say that she is getting comfortable with the 7:54-8:15min/mi range. Ugh! I'm a competitive person, so while I'm happy she is able to go that fast, I would like to go just as fast. But I can't, at least not anything over a 5k or 10k and when you're training for a 100miler in 2010 even shorter runs at paces like that will make you cry.

So during the long run, I found myself glancing down at the Garmin a lot to see my pace and getting discouraged. I need it to track the distance, but I think for a while I may need to change the screen modes so that I cannot see my pace during the run.

Sooner or later it will be cold enough that the ipod wont function over 3miles, the screen on my Garmin will get frozen & I will be back to enjoying more Zen running. As for now, I'm in that strange adjustment period where I have to be reminded to run because I love to run. Not to beat anyone to the finish line, not to run further than so & so, just to run for the sake of running.

All said and done, the 12miler was good. Some runner's high sections where I really enjoyed it & other sections (into the wind) where I was supremely thankful that I had packed a balaclava to go under my hat/face warmer & extra mittens in my jacket pockets.

In other news I am awaiting the arrival of a hydration pack to wear under my jacket so that I can hydrate during long winter runs. HEED in handbottles doesn't freeze until about 10miles into a run, but I have longer runs in the future & that just isn't going to work long term. That & I need to get used to wearing a pack, I would like to have free hands during the ultras next year if at all possible. Anywho's I will let you know what I think once I've tried it!


Jones: Celebrating your first long run with you!!! :D All of those bench marks are such a boost. There is something really amazing about setting out for a run knowing that you will run further than you ever had before & even if you get too hot or the run starts to suck you will have conquered the run. Keep it up!

I'm curious what kind of Garmin you all are using. I have a cheaper model Garmin with the foot pod and I just can't seem to feel like it's accurate. I've calibrated it too many times to count and it's really starting to annoy me because I have no idea what is a normal pace for me.

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Originally Posted by WindingRoad

I'm curious what kind of Garmin you all are using. I have a cheaper model Garmin with the foot pod and I just can't seem to feel like it's accurate. I've calibrated it too many times to count and it's really starting to annoy me because I have no idea what is a normal pace for me.

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I have the FR 305. LOVE it! If it died tomorrow I'd buy another one in a heartbeat. The 310XT is really cool, but I could get 3 305s for the same price. When those come down a bit I would love to give that a try, especially for multisport races (no interest in tris, personally, but for duathlons it sounds great).

I use my 305 as a bike computer, too, with the addition of the cadence/speed sensor kit and an attachment thing on my bike handlebars.

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Originally Posted by WindingRoad

I'm curious what kind of Garmin you all are using. I have a cheaper model Garmin with the foot pod and I just can't seem to feel like it's accurate. I've calibrated it too many times to count and it's really starting to annoy me because I have no idea what is a normal pace for me.

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I use the 405 for both running and biking and love it. The only thing I don't like about it is that you have to manually change from running to biking mode. It's a pain if you are doing both or forget to switch it to running after you rode the day before. You also can't use it in the water:(

Looked at the new 310xt and really like it. It's pricey too and can't justify getting a new one since my 405 is only a year old. Wonder what will be available when mine croaks?

Sooner or later it will be cold enough that the ipod wont function over 3miles, the screen on my Garmin will get frozen & I will be back to enjoying more Zen running

Urlea, I had no idea this would happen!!! Wow!

It's official. I signed up for my first half-marathon yesterday. The event is May 1 and I will start running again tomorrow (today is my swim day). I plan to do a sprint tri the end of May as well. I think this old woman's nuts!

I WON!!!!!!!!!! :D

I won my age group in a 5K (granted, it wasn't HUGE or anything), and I was the third overall female with a time of 24:51 (Like I said, it wasn't a huge race). I got a plaque and everything! It is super cute!!! I was incredibly excited!!! Ok--enough shameless self promotion :rolleyes:

Great job Kacie!!!
WOW...fast time!

Yay Kacie! WTG :)

Congrats Kacie! That is awesome!!!

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Originally Posted by Bike Chick

I use the 405 for both running and biking and love it. The only thing I don't like about it is that you have to manually change from running to biking mode. It's a pain if you are doing both or forget to switch it to running after you rode the day before. You also can't use it in the water:(

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Yeah...I don't plan on any tris, but have had super rainy runs leave a bit of moisture under the face temporarily. And the changing of modes can be kind of a PITA.

Kacie!! How exciting, small race or not YOU CAME IN 1st!! :D 24:51 is a great time. Well done!

Wind I am running with the Garmin FR 305. Which was technically an anniversary gift to my husband who decided to take up Brazilian jiu-jitsu for a while and not run as often, so I'm borrowing it. :) Yes, it feels a little bulky at first, but you adjust. Overall I've been very happy w/ it, I used the NIKE+ before this and there is no comparison.

Bike Not entirely positive the screen will freeze, but I have a feeling it might. Right now in the subzero temp range the screens are becoming really slow to switch over when I want to change the modes & check other data. It's not the "I'm thinking" slow, it's the "I'm cold give me a minute" slow. Either way, when it's that cold I have layered up with light gloves & heavy mittens so it's either impossible to get the Garmin strapped around my wrist (too thick) or I can't see the screen anyway. Either way, it should still track the data, I just wont be able to see it until I get home, which is fine by me. :)

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Originally Posted by kacie tri-ing

I WON!!!!!!!!!! :D

I won my age group in a 5K (granted, it wasn't HUGE or anything), and I was the third overall female with a time of 24:51 (Like I said, it wasn't a huge race). I got a plaque and everything! It is super cute!!! I was incredibly excited!!! Ok--enough shameless self promotion :rolleyes:

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Hey, that is awesome...and WAY cooler than my one and only AG win...when I was the ONLY one in my AG. ;)

WTG! I hope you celebrated appropriately. :)

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Originally Posted by kacie tri-ing

I WON!!!!!!!!!! :D

I won my age group in a 5K (granted, it wasn't HUGE or anything), and I was the third overall female with a time of 24:51 (Like I said, it wasn't a huge race). I got a plaque and everything! It is super cute!!! I was incredibly excited!!! Ok--enough shameless self promotion :rolleyes:

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Wow, Kacie! Great time. Congratulations.

Did a hill workout this morning - the mileage - 2.75 is low but the effort was big. ;) Took 30 min. The hill itself is half of the route.
40df this morning and misting - I wore a t-shirt, yoga pants, baseball cap, headlamp. Wore the Brooks.

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

Hey, that is awesome...and WAY cooler than my one and only AG win...when I was the ONLY one in my AG. ;)

WTG! I hope you celebrated appropriately. :)

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hehehe....the only time I have placed before was in a 5K swim. I was third in my age group, and there were only 3 women. Whatever, I still put up the certificate :D