Running with the reindeer...December runs!

[7rider]

Anything else I might need for safe night running?

A treadmill???

Sounds like you should be good to go. We can't find our headlamp anywhere, and I have no motivation to buy a new one now that we do have that treadmill. I do feel I need to get out for early runs in the cold to prep for the 5-miler, but I'm pretty sure I'll be fine temp wise (unless it's like 15 degrees for it).

[emily_in_nc]

Did somewhere around 3.75 miles this morning on the beach. It was windy, overcast, and cool (that means 70F, as this is the tropics). I felt great! Probably one of the best runs I've had. DH told me what I needed to add on to take it to 4 miles, so I may try that on Monday if the cool air stays put. It had been so hot I was really suffering and was not able to increase my mileage much at all, but now that it's been cooler, I would like to get to 4 miles and hang there for awhile.

[indysteel]

A treadmill???

Sounds like you should be good to go. We can't find our headlamp anywhere, and I have no motivation to buy a new one now that we do have that treadmill. I do feel I need to get out for early runs in the cold to prep for the 5-miler, but I'm pretty sure I'll be fine temp wise (unless it's like 15 degrees for it).

I just joined the rec center up the road from us and can use a treadmill there, but it's a last resort. I don't really enjoy it nearly as much as running outside. I am really sensitive to overheating, and I have yet to find a gym that is cool enough for my taste.

I have run in 15 degrees. I must be nuts because I don't really mind it (assuming the winds aren't too brutal).

[yellow]

indy, I find I can go colder and colder as winter sets in and I get used to it. Last year I ran several times when it was in the 8 or 9 F range and I have definitely Nordic skied in colder. I find that if I wear a wool Buff over my mouth and nose that I don't get cold lung burn. I know there are masks out there that probably do a better job, but they seem claustrophobic to me when I've tried them on. Winter is my favorite time to run because it is cold (and because the trails are so heavenly to run on when they are snow covered).

[Edit: it's really dry where I live, so I realize that makes it easier than in some other places. Still, I think acclimation is the key.]

That BD headlamp is pretty popular around these parts with the night runners. If I didn't already have 2 Zipkas, I'd probably get one. Maybe when one of my Zipkas dies.

I'm in ramp-back mode still, but I've seemed to clock bigger weeks than I've planned. I need to make a concerted effort to back off yet still run with regularity. It's hard when the conditions are so very nice for running.

[katluvr]

I did not get my mid week runs in, but heading out for my scheduled long run of 8 miles. Per the training program I am doing my LR pace should be 10:10 - 11 min miles (my HM goal is is 2 hours). I felt good, did not walk any and kept strong til the end. Overall pace was 10:32, that includes the first couple miles at closer to the 11 min mile pace. I felt good. Still can't imagine running 9 min miles for that long, but hopefully in 10 weeks I can!

We have our annual X-mas party tonight at our house. So I just had a good post-run breakfast and I'm off to the shower. I have house cleaning, decorating & food prep to do. I must work best under pressure!

Oh forgot to mention the weather was perfect for me. Just barely 60 and breezy, I even wore long sleeves. Didn't get too hot. Also in December the white pelicans migrate and drop in for a month or 2. We have lots of pelicans, but seeing white ones are rare. There was a flock of 8 swimming around in the bay at on section along my run, made my day!

K

[skhill]

Today's 9 miles was my longest run since September! The last 2 miles were tough, but that was to be expected. Couldn't ask for better weather for early December-- clear and dry and not to much wind, and in the upper 30s for my whole run.

Indy, how does that headlamp do letting you see where you're putting your feet? I keep having to slow down because I can't see where I'm going, and maybe a headlamp would help?

[indysteel]

Awesome long runs, gang! I did an hour long run today. I don't own a Gramin or any other device to track distance or speed. On the treadmill the other day, I ran at a 9:50 pace; that's the only metric I have at this point.

@skill, I haven't officially used the headlamp yet, but I did take it outside and it is plenty bright and has a long enough beam to light up the road in front of you. I think I'll be quite happy with it. It can be tilted up or down and can also be dimmed. I got a decent price for it and free shipping from Backcountry.com via Amazon.

[Catrin]

indy... Winter is my favorite time to run because it is cold (and because the trails are so heavenly to run on when they are snow covered).

[Edit: it's really dry where I live, so I realize that makes it easier than in some other places. Still, I think acclimation is the key.]....

I think this is a very good point. While I don't run, I do strongly enjoy winter hiking and, oddly, as easily as I get cold I enjoy it most in bitter cold temperatures. There is something about being out on the trails when it is bitter cold (in the single digits), everything is covered in snow and all I can here is my steps in the crunchy snow, the occasional snow/branches falling from the trees and the occasional very hardy winter birds. Heavenly!

[jessmarimba]

Snow run this morning! 24 degrees and at least 6 inches of snow on the ground, still snowing as we ran. We only did about 3 miles (and 3 miles was plenty) but it was a pretty fun run!

Then my car almost got stuck trying to get out of my parking spot on the side of the road...hah. I'm the only one in my running group without AWD and could only get traction going backwards, so it took some maneuvering!

[Crankin]

I also enjoy running and hiking (in addition to x country skiing and snow shoeing) in the cold/snow. It's what makes winter bearable. In fact, I find I often get warmer exercising in colder weather.
Most of my sporadic running has been done in the late winter to late spring and resumed in the fall. One of the weird things about this year is that we have had warm weekends and I am still riding. Usually this time of year is kind of a shoulder season and I do a lot of hiking. I think I'm just getting more acclimated to riding in the cold, and doing the other sports have never bothered me in the cold.

[OakLeaf]

It was a beautiful day today, which is good, because cold weather is really hard for me. I'm always freezing as it is, I'm starting to think I might have a touch of Raynaud's, and it's really hard for me to give up what little warmth I have to change into running clothes and go out in the cold.

I was a little bit bummed actually when they changed the weather forecast, because the bike club rides Saturdays and I've already packed my bike for travel. But it gave me the chance to get out for a nice 9 miles at a moderate pace. It felt really good, and I chose a route that's pretty open, so I never felt in danger from hunters (though I sure saw a lot of guys in orange).

I'm thinking I might train for the next marathon a little differently - focus on building volume right now, more speedwork later in the training cycle. We'll see. I still want to PR that 5K I always run at the end of January, so I'll be doing some speedwork between now and then, anyway.