A Beautiful, Wintery 9k

[SaskAlliecat]

After a 6 day running hiatus due a demanding work and on-call schedule, I finally got out to do my 9k run for week 5 on my build to 10k. It was -12C, with a light snow falling, and barely any wind (which is very unusual in SW Saskatchewan!). I found my wicking long underwear and long sleeve top for a base layer, tmax thermal socks, put on a second long sleeve technical top, a thin fleece top, heavier yoga style pants, my rain coat for an outer layer, thin balaclava and fleece hat.... ugh noticed I was going to be too warm when I took my son to school. So I sat in the car peeling off layers so I could take of the second long sleeve top, but kept my thin fleece top and wicking base layer on. I had brought slip on spike grippers to wear but noticed the path just had a skiff of snow so chose to not wear them, hoping my Trail shoes would be grippy enough. Nope, I was wrong but I really didn't want to head back to the car and start over since I had already started running so I decided to just go slow and use the tractor tread marks from the snow clearing to help with grip. By 3k I was pretty warm and had to already stop to double tie my shoes - why can't I remember to do that before I start? The run felt heavy at that point and I wasn't sure I was going to make it, but had chosen to do an out and back so guess what, chickee? You're doing it. Gave my self a lot of positive talk along the way (fortunately the path was empty, otherwise I may've had some strange looks - even stranger than when I'm singing to myself). Finally decided to peel off my gloves, pull down my balaclava off my nose and mouth, and realized I had zippers that I could undue in my armpits....Yay ventilation! I finally was starting to feel in my groove, then Runkeeper dinged that I was at 4.5k. Yippee!!! Ran a few extra hundred metres then turned around for the run home. I couldn't be happier. It took a bit to find my groove this morning, and it will take a bit more to figure out the best way to dress for the conditions, but I really enjoyed the winter running this morning....next time will wear my spikes unless the path is perfectly clear. Next week ....10k. Whoohoo 🎉🎉🎉.

And although I do have some gray hair, the hair poking out my hat is supposed to be brown - not white. It was a wee bit frosty this morning 😆

On my run, I saw a fox running across a frozen part of the creek, a duck paddling around in an unfrozen part of the creek (head south little duck friend- winter is here!), a woodpecker up in a tree and a songbird (chickadee perhaps- it was a fleeting glance). Nice to see some wildlife!

[SC1472 Graduate10]

Guess you’re the go to expert for winter gear! Lovel run!

Shoe laces - I was forever having to do them up so I invested in some elastic laces by huub as used by triathletes as they are quick to secure and don’t some undone.

huubdesign.com/collections/...

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to SC1472]

Ooooh, may have to look into these! I'm by far an expert yet in winter running gear, but likely will be in no time. Our winters can be very brutal and unforgiving but have occasionally been fairly mild...I'll need to be ready for anything this year 🤷‍♀️❄️💨☀️

[ejvcruns]

It sounds great and looks beautiful! I'm going for 6k this week... it's kind of exciting doing these longer runs but 9k seems very far still. Great job!!!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to ejvcruns]

It's amazing how well the progression goes. C25k gives such a great base and foundation that jumping by 1k each week is totally doable, with some consolidation runs in place and following the slow and steady mantra. I have no doubt that I can achieve 10k next week and in the next month, you'll be there, too 😄🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Beautiful run and beautiful photograph and a beautiful post too ! It sounds wonderful!

You did amazingly and for me it sounded so exciting.. a real running adventure ! Thanks you...!

My 9 K... on Sunday.. tagging the 4K onto the Remembrance Day 5K...!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

You will do it Floss...will it be at the coast? Good luck.😊xx

I'm doing a 5k Poppy run on Sunday too...

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Nope... not heading to the Coast until next week now! But... i shall plan a pleasant route... I think Sunday is set fair I shall try to avoid any hills for the last 4K!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks, I'm still riding the euphoria of the run....walking around the grocery store singing to the music they're playing over their sound system. I'm getting way to comfortable singing in public 😳. Best of luck on Sunday. I'm sure it'll go great!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Hope so x

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Yabbadabbadooo😄... YOU DID IT😊xx

Wow, SaskAlliecat..way to go💪👌...

Feeling a bit sheepish after all the fuss I made about this run...Fabulous stuff from you in freezing conditions...Well done..now that's some serious running...

You make it sound quite magical as well with all the wildlife and the snow.

We still get a bit excited in England when there is a light snowfall..

No stopping you now..you have got that 10k for sure..

Congratulations on a great run 😊xxx

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks Jan 😁. I was quite excited this morning and saw a nice light snowfall coming down and no wind....it was like it was just meant to be.

There is absolutely no need to feel sheepish, we all have our own demons to conquer on these runs. Your success and the advice given to you by our trusty running family last week helped me immensely this morning getting over my bumps along the road . It really is amazing how far we've come in a few short weeks, isn't it!

10k here we come!!!

[Decker]

Lovely pic and a lovely post Sask. Congratulations on 9k!! YES! - 10 will be a piece of cake now. I think you must be the winter gear pro, given the weather you deal with! The wildlife is great too. This morn I saw a Red Tail Hawk looking for breakfast.

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Decker]

Haha, between curling, skiing, snowmobiling and just having to live on the prairies, it's amazing how much running appropriate winter gear I actually have to choose from. I was expecting it to be a bit colder this morning so was a bit overdressed, but better than being too cold. I'll have it worked out to a science by the end of the winter season!

The wildlife was the icing on the cake, that's for sure. I saw everything on the homeward stretch, might've seen more if I was able to hit my groove sooner and notice my surroundings sooner. The fox surprised me, I had just crossed under an overpass and came around a corner and he came ripping out onto the ice and back up into the scrubby bush. It was awesome. It brought a smile to my face and then I was searching it hopes to see more. It was a wonderful distraction.

I'm feeling very confident for next week's 10k....Hopefully not too confident 🤔

[Decker in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Definitely better overdressed than too cold out there with all your outdoor activities! I'm still experimenting with hoodies, hats and layers etc, but we are due for some snow tomorrow, so we will see what works. I also have an indoor track 5 min from home that is free to use.

We had a pair of foxes living in a ravine down our street. I think they help keep the squirrel population under control And they have no fear of people, just walk right by you on the sidewalk in the mornings.

You should feel confident for the 10k - no big deal now - you've got this!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker. Enjoy the snow tomorrow 😄. It slows you down and may change your stride a bit. Despite being tall, I run with a fairly short stride with more of a midfoot rather than heel strike so I didn't find it changed mine much this year. When I was winter running years ago, I struggled more with that but I had a longer stride with more of a heel strike then. My knees and ITB are much happier with this running form 😁

[Decker in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks Sask. I’m looking forward to the snow. The forecast has been pushed back to Friday now. And thats my next run day. I’m glad your knees are happier in the snow too.

[skysue16 Graduate10]

What a lovely photo Brr, looks and sounds cold!! Congratulations on achieving 9k - fantastic, especially in the conditions - very well done

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to skysue16]

Thanks, it actually wasn't too bad. It was warmer than they were calling for and much warmer than it has been the last few days (2 weeks ago, I wouldn't have said -12 wasn't bad, 😆; it's amazing how quickly we acclimatize). The lack of wind makes all the difference, too. I suspect each outside run during the winter season will likely bring it's own set of challenges.

[mrrun Graduate10]

Ultimate respect for running in 'slightly less than ideal conditions ' and envy for not being able to do the same

I ran in high heat and humidity in the summer, never experienced such challenge (up to 40c) and beauty before but your post and photo put a bug in me!

One day

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to mrrun]

High heat and humidity would be a challenge - you can only legally peel so many clothes off 😜. We had quite a hot summer this year but the hottest I ran in was 26 C and that was enough for me! Outdoor Speed training will go out the window unless the pathways clear fully. I guess I could do that on the treadmill 😩 if I really wanted to.

[mrrun Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Ah, it's amazing how we adapt. I simply got up at dawn and ran before the sun could do all its tricks, and it did most of them before l knew what's happening. That was in Croatia and it's beautiful coast.

I believe the same would be in the cold, you just respect and observe the environment, prepare and go!

Enjoy your running!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to mrrun]

Sounds beautiful.

Definitely need to plan for the weather, be it heat or cold

[aliboo70 Graduate10]

Sounds amazing but sooo cold! Well done on getting out there !😆

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks. It wasn't actually that bad and ihad overdressed (which may've been a good thing other than I was chilled when I got home)

[Mimirossi Graduate10]

Your run sounds amazing! There I was thinking it was cold at 10 degrees!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Mimirossi]

Haha, it's all relative. I did too, last month and by the time February comes around -12C may feel balmy if we end up in a deep freeze in January. Our weather can get brutally cold where it isn't unusual to be -30 before windchill (and below -50 with windchill - I won't run outside if it gets that cold...unless it's not windy , then I might 🤔....we'll see)

[LiisaM]

Love seeing the picture! It's interesting that where everyone runs looks different and the weather is different. We have temps up to about 45 F or so lately in Michigan in the States so I was interested to see where you were with colder weather and snow!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to LiisaM]

I'm in Canada, in Saskatchewan and winter is definitely here to stay 😮 . It adds a new challenge to running, but is totally do able although much slower than on dry pathways and with a lot more clothes! I'm so jealous looking at everybody else's pictures where there is still greenery and being able to run in shorts, t-shirts still and with all the neat events they still have. We have a hypothermic half marathon a couple hours away in February I might consider if my training has reached that point by then 🤔

[LiisaM in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Ah! We have less greenery now that the trees are ablaze here in yellows and reds!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to LiisaM]

I love the fall colours....they just don't stick around very long here; fall is super short

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Wow - now that's a proper winter run! Well done😀

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks. I'm already itching to get out for my next one 😄