Cold run with a warm finish!

[Richard7]

Week 2 of Ju-Jus 10K plan saw me up ready to do a mid week 5K today but it wasn’t to be. Time kind or ran out so it got rescheduled for lunchtime. So glad as I was actually considering going to the gym but didn’t in the end.

Checking the pavement outside my house it was obvious that the snow had not made the pavements slippery so I donned 2 layers of just about everything except for top - 4 layers there!! Even my mobile phone got an extra layer putting it inside a sock to help keep it warm!!

Off I went feeling relatively ok despite the -4 temperature outside. Hands felt the cold the most and the face, I had considered wearing a scarf but all I have is woollen ones and I knew that was a non starter. The gloves I have are not thermal so if this continues I might get some new ones.

After running for about 10 minutes I realised that it wasn’t going to be the pavements that would cause me problems but rather the snow getting into the tread on my shoes that could leave me with no grip!! So I continued taking things carefully running on the crunchy grass when I could and stomping my feet when I returned to pavement.

The end of the run came and I had my walk home (about 10 minutes) - that was for sure the coldest part of the run - colder than the sideways wind that tried to turn me back a couple of times blowing dusty snow in my face as additional encouragement!!

Spurred on by the fact that I had been crazy enough to venture out in such weather I somehow managed a personal best 5K time which left me feeling very pleased and giving me that warm feeling you get when you achieve something new. 😁 Not sure if it’s that I am getting better, the fact that I managed belly breathing (for about 50% of the run) or just that I prefer running in the cold - but happy with today’s run.

Happy running inside or out, stay warm, upright and safe.

[TedG Graduate10]

You’re braver than me Richard, well done mate 😊🏃🏃🏃

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to TedG]

Don’t confuse bravery with stupidity!! 😉

[pinkaardvark Graduate10]

Well done for getting out in it. My missus puts on 4 layers when she goes out in warmer temps to run. I can't get my head around it, I wear one long sleeved top and then a running jacket/top over that and just my normal running leggings. I do have a thin ronhill hat and some underarmour running gloves but I find after the first two k the gloves come off and the jacket gets unzipped with usually the sleeves rolled up at around the 3-4k mark. I'd be boiled like a lobster with 4 layers on Maybe i'm just so unfit I generate extra levels of heat as in civilian non running life I'm hardly one of those blokes you see around the place with shorts and a 4x4 sandal on in mid winter with no socks.. i'd have a stout coat hats and gloves on. Is it an age thing, I know the youngsters run around in a t-shirt in this weather..

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to pinkaardvark]

I keep saying to “her indoors” that I am cold in the house - I blame it on less blubber around my middle keeping me warm!! Recently I run 2 layers - T-Shirt and long sleeved top but today was two long sleeves and a waterproof thin jacket. I was dithering whether to use them all but surprisingly I wasn’t hot.

Like you generally the sleeves get rolled up - not today - firmly down to the gloves!! Two pairs of socks was a bit of a problem being comfortable but worth it to keep the toes as warm as possible! Might look for warmer socks and gloves at the weekend (just before the weather turns warmer no doubt)!!