November has not been my best running month. The first week was super busy with work and a crazy on-call schedule that hampered my running routine. The second week was plagued with just feeling off and living under a dark cloud. However, this morning I woke up without the feeling of my head in a vice grip for the first time in a week, saw some wonderful birthday wishes from my amazing online running family, and noticed that although it was still -16C, there was no wind. Hmmmm, are the running gods telling me something? Should I try to climb out of this mental fog, don my running gear and complete my 10k graduation run today? Yup, they are. So I did just that. It wasn't my usual happy, singing out loud, pumping the air, air drumming kind of run today. It was a run lost inside my thoughts but you know what? That's ok. I'm still working through the right layers to wear running in these extreme temperatures but foresee many more cold weather runs in my future. The mental and physical benefits are too great not to continue on.
I feel blessed to have found these forums and the wonderful people on them. Initally I wasn't sure if I could or should post being from another country 🇨🇦. However, it didn't take long to feel incredibly welcomed and part of something so inclusive and huge. Thanks from the bottom of my heart.
Onwards and upwards, what will my running future bring? Stay tuned, only time will tell........
Written by
SaskAlliecat
Graduate10
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Thanks poppypug. We have some pretty harsh winters, but we get used to them. As long as it's not windy, it's tolerable. The wind can be challenging to deal with though. That's why I was so happy to wake up and not see the trees blowing or hear the wind whistling, it was meant to be today.
Happy birthday and congratulations on your run! You really do have some grit to be running in those conditions. I shall use your example to hold myself accountable if I ever complain about having to go out because it's too cold! Inspirational!! 😀👏👏
Thanks Sandy. I've had a few weeks to acclimate to the weather now so it doesn't feel as bad. It's all about dressing right, which I'm still working on. I'm a sweaty mess by the end of it 🤣. Need to find the balance between getting too cold at the start and too hot in the middle. I'll admit though, I forego the warm up walk and try to just run super slow at the start.
Congratulations on your 10k graduation 🎉😀. Well done for braving the weather, sounds very cold ❄⛄. The winds can be bitter here in the Highlands and combined with rain it is chilly but not -16, don't know how you do it!
we're a dry cold. I remember going to the coast to visit my mom and being so cold despite it hovering around 0. That moisture feels like it gets into your bones .
Aw thanks Jan. You'll be joining me on the podium soon 🏅🏅. Ju ju's plan definitely works - I really like the layout of it and will likely follow a similar layout once I start building further on the distance (after a few weeks of consolidation 😉). I'm so glad I did it today - my family took me out for supper and I ate a man sized meal 😆 but I burned a lot of calories today so I enjoyed every mouthful 😋
Woohooo!!! 👏👏🏆🏆Congrats Sask on your 10k run and on your birthday too- how did I miss that? 🎂 Thats good timing, that is! And to do it in those conditions! Big respect!
Congratulations on your 10k! And on finding the motivation to get out there running in such extreme temperatures. Please don't get frostbite!
I haven't got anywhere near 10k but I can relate to running as an opportunity to clear some headspace, a sort of active meditation. There can be all sorts of contortions involved in clearing the time to do it but I think it always pays dividends.
I agree. I was quite distracted on this run with all the thoughts going on in my head. The first half was occupied with how I need to dress differently for these cold weather runs 😆, I haven't mastered it yet. I used a different neck warmer this time and it was chaffing my chin so bad by 5k I had to run without it. I was worried about frost bite when I had to remove it but it was fine. It is definitely something we have to think about here.
Congratulations on your 10k. You are an inspirational example running in those extreme temperatures. I agree that running really is great for clearing your head and general mental well-being. I’ve had some trouble with mental illness over the last 5years but this year has been good for me and I’m convinced it’s largely down to the fact I took up running last December. I’m still working up to 10k (I’ve made 7k) but it’s so encouraging to hear everyone’s stories. Thanks for sharing and many happy returns running and birthdays! 🥂👍
Thanks JSS. I love hitting these milestones. It is hard to believe how far we can come in such a short period of time. It's been a blast and it is just the beginning!
Haha, no worries Floss! If I remember correctly, you were on the coast at the time. I got my badge, so I'm a happy lady 😁. And have now done 10 k twice, yay! Onwards and upwards.....
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‘Another 10K Run’ 
9th 10K 2nd Graduation Run
Done my 1st 10k run😁
Feeling a bit weary, any advice?
You have run 10K!!! 😊 What next???
