I did my first almost subzero run yesterday(technically the temp was 3 degrees!). I had the option of borrowing a friends treadmill but I really wanted to see what I could do in this kind of weather first.
This is a real change for me, I hate cold with a passion. So going outside in nearly zero weather is not first on my list, let alone running in it!
I added a few things to my running gear -- arm warmers, windbreaker pants, hubby's biking googles, and wrist bands worn at the ankles. I was looking for something to add as another layer for my arms, when I remembered that asics had sent us arm warmers. Bingo! Those worked great. I wore the wrist bands at my ankles since thats where my warm wear tends to ride up and i figured it would keep that area warm. I felt like a giant dork in the big ski type googles but hey I kept my face from getting frostbit.
I orginally thought Id just go two miles. The first mile and a half was great. I didnt feel cold and breathing was okay with my fleece scarf on . Although it did threaten to freeze to my face but since i kept breathing in and out, it didnt have a chance to. The run was feeling good, so I elected to go my full route of three miles. I did my alternate route through the neighborhood and out of town since hubby had both sets of the keys. My the time though I hit two miles, my thighs were pretty darn cold. Im wondering if its cause i put a cotton layer between the warm wear and windbreaker pants or if it was just that cold. Either way, I knew that walking would just make me colder, so i had no option other than running the rest of the way home.
There were challenges like the googles steaming up in spots but not wanting to take them off to clean them in the cold. Or my shoe coming untied. That always seems to make it extra challenging to get running again after stopping.
All in all, a good run. I went pretty darn slow and even slowed further at points when breathign was getting harder. I am pretty proud that I got out there and ran in that cold of weather. I, really , never thought Id be one of "those" runners!
After I got home, I remembered back to the early days of C25K and how some days, I could barely walk after running. And here I am doing 3 miles! Its pretty darn amazing.
Keep on running
Mrs. F
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
That is so awesome. It was 24 and windy here today and I broke down and joined a gym for a month for $20. I did my first run on the treadmill and absolutely hated it. After a mile I felt like I was dying. It was probably just that I'm used to actually making progress on the road, but the treadmill seemed much harder for me and I had lots of twinges and aches I don't usually have. Your post inspired me to try to get outside at least for a try in the cold weather. I grew up in FL and have detested the upstate NY winters all 20 years that I've lived here!
ReplyDeleteThe treadmill intimidates me a bit. Ive never run on one and that helps propel me outdoors! Plus the whole free aspect of it lol!
ReplyDelete