First Test Run with the New Winter Running Gear.... Yippee!❄️☃️

[SaskAlliecat]

I was supposed to run a 5k run with hills tonight but with the recent snow and the darkness outside I had found a treadmill workout that would fit the bill. But it was a calm cold night with soft snowflakes falling and my new winter running gear was just begging for a test run. When I bought it last month, I told the salesperson I was looking for something that would get me through January running temperatures on the prairies (-20 C or colder). She directed me to some Craft trousers that have windproof fronts and sides and an Arcteryx jacket that is the bomb! It is super lightweight, incredibly breathable and I can choose my base layer(s) depending on the temperature but shouldn't be plagued with having to wear a crazy number of layers just to stay warm. It was more than I planned to spend, but boy oh boy, it was worth it! I wore my mid weight running top under the jacket and no base layer on the bottom, just the running trousers and I was very comfortable, despite being -12 with a light breeze putting it at -20 with windchill. I easily could've wore my lighter weigh top tonight, I was plenty warm. I was just feeling a little bit of coolness on my upper thighs so I'll likely wear my compression tights underneath them when it gets cooler. I started with my hood up and my merino buff over my face but quickly pulled the hood off and pulled the buff down over my chin. My hands in my new neoprene gloves were cool to start but I coiled my hands in a fist and within 10 minutes was able to put them back in their proper position.

I ran my 5k and was sad when it was over. I just wanted to keep going. The light snow was so peaceful, there were some Christmas lights up, the roads weren't icy, I could smell some wood burning fireplaces going and I was in my happy place, just enjoying my "Chillin'" playlist. Let the winter training begin... where speed and hills may need to take a back seat to snowy cold easy runs. Whatever winter throws at me though, I feel ready!

[Snuffy_T Graduate10]

Wow -20, that's artic. I won't ever complain about being cold again! it never gets that cold where I live. You look nice and cosy in the picture.

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Snuffy_T]

Definitely had a post run glow going on. Then I came inside and the waterworks kicked into overdrive 😅. It is amazing how sweaty you can get running in the cold ☺️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

You painted such a lovely picture Sask! And boy that’s chilly! ❄️ ❄️ I lived in New England for several years, so I know cold - but not as cold as yours. Plus I wasn’t planning on running in it.

Love your gear! You look snug as a bug. Enjoy your winter runs! 🏃‍♀️❤️❄️

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

This was our first real cold spell of the year so it takes a little bit to acclimate, but with the right gear anything is possible. This one was much nicer than Friday's run with ice pellets hitting me in the face; then Sunday's run was heavy rain so I had quite a mixed bag of conditions this week. If I don't run in these temps, I wouldn't run for6 months out of the year which wouldn't be good for my sanity ..... although my sanity may be questionable already 😆

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Hahaha, yes I think non-runners must think we’re all totally bonkers! 😅🏃‍♀️🏃🤪

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Fantastic, Sask! So glad you have some good kit for your very chilly runs. I am just so full of respect for you running through those temperatures. 👏👏👏 And it sounds like it was a magical run, just perfect. 💜 Stay snuggly.

Sadie-runs x

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

I toughed through last year using what I had on hand but this was much nicer, running in proper gear. I was like a kid in the candy store yesterday, especially when I saw the wind that we've had for the last few days die off. Now I'm disappointed Friday warms up to -3 which will be a little warm for my gear 🙄. I'm hoping for a winter of -8 to -10 but in reality, it'll likely be much colder, which is A-ok!

[CarolineLou71]

Wow - makes our chilly spell here look pretty pathetic! Great inspiration “if you can go out in that...” Good going. Wishing you lots of comfortable and safe running!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to CarolineLou71]

Thanks. The roads were fairly clear which made it a lot easier. When the snow gets deep or the ice hits, it is a lot more treacherous but I've got some new Yaktrax this year to try out to help with grip.

[CarolineLou71 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

I’ve seen those in Costco and fancied giving them a go, be interesting to hear how you find them.

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to CarolineLou71]

Last year I used a different type a friend had picked up from Costco that just had the little carbide spikes. I'm not sure what I'll think of the coils, but it is worth a go. Now I'm wishing for enough snow to justify using them 😁

[CarolineLou71 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Haha! Springy feet, lovely! Maybe those are the ones I was thinking of, I thought they were Yaktraks but might be muddling up with the research I was doing around them time as it’s more ice we have trouble with where I am. Love the idea of running like Zebedee (showing my age now 😂)

[uncle_wiggy]

I am in awe of your dedication & clothing, but not your weather!

Hope every run this winter is as safe and pleasurable as this one was! Brrr ❄️❄️❄️

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to uncle_wiggy]

If every run was calm, without wind, I would be a happy lady! Instead I will cherish every calm run I get, especially when the snow is falling. It has a very calming nature to it.

[Deals1 Graduate10]

Wow. That's dedication! Well done . U look nice and cosy

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Deals1]

Nice and cosy ... hot and sweaty, it's a fine line 😆. Actually it made a big difference running in a more breathable jacket than I had last year. I didn't feel overheated at all and really didn't feel sweaty until I stopped.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Your posts add a completely different dimension to this forum SaskAlliecat. There we are planning our runs to avoid a few drops of rain and you are going out in the Canadian winter temperatures that we'd only think of skiing in. 😺⛷

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

I love the international flare of this forum! This week I had a mixed bag of weather - ice pellets Friday, rain on Sunday and now cold with lovely snow. Welcome to my winter 😆. Hopefully we're in full-on winter to stay now. I prefer cold and snowy to wet and icy!

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

That sounds like a day in Whistler to me. 😂

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

You go girl! 💪👍😁 cold? What cold? 🤣 makes me a double wimp for thinking lowish single figures is cold. We've had such a long warm summer though, it's hard to get back into the cold weather mind set! 🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂🍃

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

It's all relative. When the temps start to drop, it is a shock for everyone I think. It's amazing what a person can acclimate to - running in plus 20's in the summer to -20's in the winter.

[misswobble Graduate10]

Very nice! your jacket sounds ace 😃👍. I got some merino boxers to keep my lower back and hips warm, top of my thighs. I was getting chilled there on long runs. I love them 😍. Mind you it was a balmy 13 degrees on my run yesters Have fun in the snow 😳😬😁

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

I've been keeping an eye out for those merino boxers since I saw your post last year about your purple pants of power 😆. They would make a huge difference but I haven't come across any in my travels. I may have to order online.

[misswobble Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Yeah I did, but I now find we have a branch of the shop here in Derbyshire I posted a pic when I bought em, about this time last year

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Good grief, that's cold! But the new kit sounds a dream so lets hope it keeps delivering for you. You look really snug 🙂

And your description of that run is just so gorgeous I want it to snow here so I can try to capture the same thing ❄️❄️

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

There's just something about running in the gently falling snowflakes that is so peaceful. Everyone should get to experience it; we'd have a lot more winter running converts 😊

[AnnieW55]

That run sounds amazing. You’re running in snow report almost made it sound like ideal conditions! So pleased the new kit worked well. Wishing you many more such runs, whatever their length.

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to AnnieW55]

For winter running, I'd say it was ideal. The lack of wind makes all the difference, I find. It was much warmer on Friday but the driving wind and ice pellets made it that much harder. Fingers crossed for calm snowy runs.

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

Wow! Just wow. A different world to soggy Derbyshire! Happy new running gear!

[misswobble Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Very soggy today. I am walking into town and running later 😏

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

We all have our challenges, that's for sure!

[Goforitmama Graduate10]

You sure are made of tough stuff lady! -10 Celsius is my limit. Cold is okay, we just have to dress for it. I don’t run on icy surfaces or in heavy rain.

Running outside when it’s not perfect running conditions makes it better somehow, I like the solitude, the peace and quiet. Not even the dog walkers are out. I love the way you describe the smell of the log fires in peoples houses. I also love the gentle, silent floating of the snowflakes, they seem to slow down my thoughts. It is cathartic.

Enjoy your 5ks.

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Goforitmama]

Cathartic.. that’s the perfect word to describe it! Don’t rule out runs at cooler than -10, it is totally doable and enjoyable. But you do have to protect your face and watch your extremities. I hate running with something over my mouth and nose but I always start that way. Usually the buff gets pulled down as I warm up. It is definitely the ice that gets me!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

This girl can! 😄Agree totally with Sadie, I am full of respect for you too Allie..

Enjoy your winter runs, your gear sounds just the job...and you make running in snow and cold sound fun! ❄⛄❄

😊xxx

Love your posts and hearing about your adventures!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks Jan. I find I really enjoy running in winter. You know me, I love a challenge 😆. At least in winter you can layer up... in summer you can only legally peel so many layers off 😳

[Decker]

Oh you have the cold full on now Sask! ⛄️ Happy to hear the gear is all working for those temps! Sounds like a wise investment all round.

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Decker]

Yup, looks like winter is here! But i’m ready and totally pumped about this new gear. I got new yaktrax as well for my shoes so we’ll have to see what they’re like. Not enough snow to test them yet though.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

Brrrrrrrrrr….Sask??!! The thought of such cold makes me shiver!! Sounds like you loved it though...and there is no such thing as bad weather just bad clothing which you have not got, you are proper geared up for those low temps!!! You are one tough cookie!!! Now go get some hot chocolate or something to warm your cockles!!! Well done!! x

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

I’m totally ready and pumped for winter this year... which is not my normal. You gotta do what you gotta do to make winter tolerable 😁

[roseabi]

Brrrrrilliant!!!