January 2012 Running - Snow, stay away!

[Selkie]

On Wednesday morning, I had a great run. Felt really relaxed and in a rhythm. I ended up going 4.2 miles, wanted to go longer but alas, not possible since I was at work.

It was 42 degrees with a strong, cold wind. Luckily, most of my route was protected from the worst of the gusts (woods).

Since they are predicting potential slippery conditions on Sunday when I usually do my long run, I might do a five-miler today. I don't want to have to do a long run on the treadmill......

[skhill]

Why oh why is it so difficult to dress just right for the cold? Keep thinking I should have this figured out by now. It was about 27F, wind chill in the upper teens, this morning. My legs and arms were just right, torso a bit warm, and head and hands way too warm with hat and mittens, way too cold without. And my toes were freezing. So it goes... But I got a pleasant surprise when I looked at the final numbers for the run-- just under 6 miles, at a 8:52/mile pace . It's been a while since I went that fast on an easy run!

Kat, that's a heck of a lot of racing. Like a month's worth, in just a weekend! talk about persistence...

[yellow]

My legs and arms were just right, torso a bit warm, and head and hands way too warm with hat and mittens, way too cold without. And my toes were freezing.

I assume that you are wearing wool socks, but here is a little secret (that isn't so secret, really): duct tape over the meshy part of your shoes. Blocks the wind.

FWIW, I can't stand to wear a winter-type hat if it is warmer than about 25 w/o windchill, so I wear a ballcap-style running hat and an earband. That way I can take the earband off if I get too warm. The hat isn't totally ventilated, so it provides just enough heat retention.

I will have my first test-of-mettle for the year this afternoon: a long run in the rain. Yes, rain. Not snow. Rain and mud make me cranky. This is just so wrong for January in northern Utah.

[emily_in_nc]

Did my longest run in the new year today -- just 4 miles, but I was happy. I caught a bad cold around new year's and have been very slow coming back (between coughing and asthma). It felt good to finally get back up to 4 miles.

[7rider]

4 easy miles - some walking uphill to keep the HR reasonable. So just thinking about building distance at this point. Not worried about speed or even running the whole thing - just form when I can and keeping the legs moving.

DH and I are away for the weekend to deal with family issues, so this was as good as I could get as I'll be in the car or with family the rest of the weekend, so my planned long run was kaput.

[Selkie]

Ran Friday morning on the trail at work, it was about 35 degrees with a brisk wind. Felt great, physically and mentally, probably because I had to circle swim with a super pokey person during my morning swim. As a consequence, I had extra energy.

Outdoor running this weekend is a big ????? Right now, there is a coating of snow on the ground and freezing rain in the forecast. I'm hoping it warms up enough on Sunday to melt whatever accumulates on the pavement! I'm not digging the idea of my first treadmill run of the year.

[skhill]

Figured out why my right toes have been so very very cold-- I've worn a hole clear through on the first toe in my beloved VFFs. I was hoping to get them to 1500+ miles, but that might not happen. Thinking of trying duct tape, but that's not going to wear well on the sole... Might be time to go shopping!

The weather outside was marginal, cold light rain, so I went to the treadmill. I did 8 miles, in about 1:15. The weird thing was that the whole time, I was the only woman in the room. It was just me and a bunch of old men...