Wednesday night, I was all geared up for the 4-5 mile run I had scheduled for Thursday morning. I checked the weather to see what clothes to lay out for my early morning neighborhood jaunt and was confronted by terrible news- the "feels like" temperature was going to be 3 degrees.
3 DEGREES!!!
I dejectedly started packing my gym bag. It looked like a dreadmill run was in my near future. But then I sat down and read Heather's blog. This gal will run in any temperature! (And she looks SUPER CUTE doing it!) I used to run in near zero degree temps, but haven't in a long time. I was injured all through this whole "Polar Vortex" thing, so I never had to suck it up and run when it was really cold. But Heather inspired me! I needed to just SUCK IT UP and do it. "I have done it before and I can still do it," I told myself.
This is how I can tell when it's really cold... When I get outside, my eyes start watering immediately. I can feel EVERYTHING in my nose, and the wire to my mp3 player instantly gets very stiff. I don't know why that happens? Maybe there are some scientists reading this and can shed some light on the topic...
So I laid out my best cold gear I owned. It was time for the big guns. The next morning, I checked the weather again. The "feels like" temperature was 12 degrees. I was actually a little disappointed- I had mentally prepared for 3 degrees!
Ready to get my cold run on!
Ps. This is what I look like at 5:55am.
Obviously the only way runs in extremely cold temperatures can be safe and enjoyable is if you have the right gear. I am all about cheap, generic brands, but I did drop some cash on my Under Armor pants and long sleeve shirt. I believe they were both $50 each (on sale!). It was seriously the best running money I ever spent. These pieces have lasted me several years now and are the only reason I can brave running outside during Pennsylvania winters.
One thing I have not been able to figure out is the glove situation. I have tried all types of gloves but they are either TOO warm and make my hands sweat (and then freeze) or they are not warm enough and they just freeze up right away.
My $4 Wal Mart gloves are too warm.
My $30 Under Armor gloves only work if the temperature is 40 degrees or warmer.
(WORST running money I ever spent!)
In other news... this came in the mail yesterday. Just to torture me.
A "RUNNER PASSPORT"!? I never had a "RUNNER PASSPORT" before!
HOLY *INSERT YOUR OWN EXPLETIVE HERE* I REALLY WANT TO RUN THIS RACE!!!!
What is the coldest temperature you have ever run in?
What's your favorite article of cold running gear?
Give me some advice on gloves to get! I am clueless...
3 degrees! 12 degrees! I would probably freeze up and die as soon as I opened my front door. The coldest temp I have run in is maybe ... 45 degrees? Clearly, I cannot provide you with any glove advice :)
ReplyDeleteUmmmm no glove advice from Kristina allowed!!! ;)
DeleteI try not to run under 28 degrees because I am a wimp! Best cold gear for me has to be my Under Armor hood ( I don't know the real name of it but it is like a face mask). I have also been quite happy with a certain jacket I got at Run Disney last year. It was expensive but after I started using it felt it was worth every penny! I'm still trying to figure out the glove situation too!
ReplyDeleteYour Disney jacket sounds like my Boston jacket from 2009.... It was $90 and the most lightweight thing ever. I later realized it was pretty warm and water literally BOUNCES off of it. Plus it has held up very well these past 5 years. I guess it is good to pay some money as long as it is QUALITY. Sadly, it's hard to know until after the fact!
DeleteHeather really is amazing. She runs in anything. I'm over here in California and if there's even the slightest breeze, I talk myself out of going outside. I'm obviously a hardcore runner. Good job on getting out there!!!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh Cali. I love it there. We went there ONCE and we want to move!!
DeleteMy god, that is cold. I was complaining this week because the temperature has dropped back to 50!
ReplyDeleteFIFTY!? That's shorts and a tank running weather right there!! (Says this Pennsylvania girl hahaa!)
DeleteHa, thanks Meg! The coldest I've run in is -29 CELSIUS. I am unsure of the conversion for your temp.??? I will ask matt as soon as he gets home, lol.
ReplyDeleteIn other news, my Runner Passport did not come yet :( And I'm wondering if you saw the facebook message I sent Meg go Run? :D I'm pretty sure you ran Boston last year??? Well, there is a girl in one of my Marathon Foto shots that reminds me of you! Check out the message and let me know when you get a chance. How cool would that be?!?!
I think that is 2 degrees in our temperature!! That is freeeeeeeeeeeeeaking cold! I am sure your runner passport will come very soon. Let me know what wave you are in. I am in wave 2 corral 7 but have no business being there at this point in my training!
DeleteHeather is definitely inspiring with the COLD runs!
ReplyDeleteThis year I definitely had to suck it up and brave the cold. I think the coldest run I have done has been like 18 degrees. I didn't want to run it but I KNEW I had to get out there. After I am done running in cold temps I definitely feel like a badass and a bit warmer :)
I hope you do Boston girl!
Yes I think with the cold ya just gotta freaking do it. Only once have I ever run when I thought- this is DANGEROUS, I need to cut it short. Most of the time if you're dressed right, it's fine.
DeleteThe day the runner passport came was so exciting! All these Boston posts make me wish I was running it again this year.
ReplyDeleteI can never find decent gloves, either. I might have to try some $4 Wal-Mart gloves... my hands have never been too warm in my life. Frozen fingers are the reason I sometimes do the treadmill when it's cold-but-not-that-cold.
Gloves are so tricky. I really like my hands being warm too! So I guess this is not the first year for the "runner passport"? I ran it in 2009 and we didn't get one. I mean, I'm sure we got a packet of info but it wasn't called a passport.
Delete