You've heard that saying "a three dog night"? Where its so cold you need 3 dogs to stay warm? Today was one of those days when it was going to take 3 pair of tights to stay warm. I headed out for my run at 6:30 am in my purple Barney the dinosaur coat (looks bad but its been the best coat ever) and 2 pair of tights. I didn't check the temperature ahead of time (its cold, what more did I need to know?) but wished I had. Within minutes, my quads were stinging from the cold, and my butt was feeling it too, even with the coat flap over it. I pulled up the hood on the jacket and that helped keep my face warm, since I hadn't put on my face mask either. But with no wind and the roads as dry as they were going to be over the next few days, I decided it was a good idea to get out there while the going was good. I am committed to running outside this winter as much as possible. I know, there will be days when I'll regret I did and days when I'll regret I didn't, but after 2 years of strictly inside treadmill running, I had reached my limit. I will still do speed workouts inside, but hopefully the long runs and shorter maintenance runs will be outside as much as possible.
I was glad I had put on my Yak Trax too, since the almost all day, rare appearance of the sun on Monday brought melting and overnight refreezing. For the most part, the sidewalks and streets were clear, but there were enough icy patches to make me feel smart for having put them on. The commitment to run outside also requires more caution, and running with Yak Trax is just one of those things I need to do. Surprisingly, the worst stretch of sidewalk was right in front of a public school. What's up with that? It was an ankle turner for sure. While most of the school yard was a glaze of ice, that stretch of sidewalk hasn't even been shoveled, and there's no excuse for that. With lawsuits in abundance these days, you'd think our public schools, struggling financially, would be more diligent in keeping their properties safe.
I am realizing that wearing an extra 10 pounds of clothes is a definite slow down, so I'm not worried about my time while out there, other than not staying out so long I get hypothermia, and definitely by the end of the 3+ mile run, my toes on one foot were numb and feeling the cold, a holdover from New Year's Eve standing out in the cold for 4 hours, and I could feel the cold penetrating right through the layers. I really don't know how much more I can wear!
All in all, a good run, and a good way to clear all that gunk out of my head and nose!
7 comments:
You are soooooooooo impressive. We, here, know what cold you are talking about.
Reading your entry helps me get charged up to brave the cold... I'm just waiting until it isn't QUITE so cold!!
Alas, I wish you were right about the next age group.. but with every ascending age group, fewer slower women (like us) are bothering to come out. Sad.
I will keep trying as long as I can find races that will keep their finish line open.
It isn't all that much better over here either... I saw a whole crew of teeny boppers tumble down right in front of City High yesterday. Oye.
Great job getting out there :-)!
I was thinking of you this morning and wishing I could run that early but we have no street lights and it would too dangerous...
Stay warm and I will pass along your well wishes to Anne, who btw has a "big 50" in a couple of weeks!
man I do lots of two tight runs, but have had to step up to 3 tights.. I'm not sure about that!
Wow, and I whine if the temp dips below 50! Wimp am I!
I can see the advantage to training in all those heavy clothes, though. Just think how fast you'll be when spring comes. You'll be a whole 10 lbs lighter just by wearing normal running clothes!
I'm so conflicted. I hate treadmill running (and yes, i want to take you up on offer of how to make that more interesting) and yet the thought of a 3 tights run makes me want to curl up in the fetal position and give up. you're one determined woman!
Wha?!? OMG wow that is some dedication right there, chica!
Post a Comment