After reading Bluebirdrunner's post about looking for positives in her run, I set out for my run today with that in my mind. I usually find that if I can get out the door and get past the first km or two, I feel great and tend to find joy in most my runs and today was no exception! There were so many positives that I thought about during my run, I decided to share them as well and given the group that have made January's quest to make their runs fun again and look for the joy in every run was here, I thought what better place than here to share it. So here we go, and sorry, it's probably going to be another long SaskAlliecat ramble. You might want to grab a cuppa and snack before you start 😆.
The positives in my run today:
- Although it was a brisk -13C, the sun was shining and the wind was calm! What?!? The sun? What is that? It was so bright, I actually pulled out my sunglasses which I normally don't do in the winter. Then by 6k, I remembered why. As I was getting quite warm and sweating as I do so well, they were fogging up quite a bit. Given the ice, I decided to take them off because I could see better without them than fogged up with them and fortunately my lovely winter running jacket has great pockets that fit them perfectly so they were safely stowed away for the majority of my run.
- The ice - no this is not normally a positive, but in looking for positives in my run today, I can even make this a positive. Over the Christmas break I got a few runs in, but they all were short or mid length runs and today was my long run so the ice forced me to go oh-so-slow as I shuffled across the numerous icy patches (picture an old man with his walker shuffling down the hall; that is how I felt, although without a walker and a woman instead 😆). I thought the pathway would be more clear given how clear many people's sidewalks were in town so I didn't wear my Yaktrax or spikes, but I was wrong. I had them in the car, but by the time I realized how treacherous today's run was going to be, and knowing the distance I had in mind, I really didn't want to backtrack, go to the car, and restart, so I carried on. It meant some detouring and reconfiguring my run on the fly, but even that was good. I saw some very pretty homes in an area I never normally run in and saw where the alternative school had been moved to. So now I know a little bit more about my community 😁. In the areas where the ice was quite large and if the adjacent snow crusted grass wasn't too bad, I would detour onto the crusty snow. So another positive was how this type of running, zig zagging around the ice trying to find the best line, starting/stopping, slow then slower, with perhaps a nice steady stretch is more in tune to my summer trail runs. So today was a great trail running prep run 🙄. Ok that's a stretch, but it was what I was thinking about while slowly zigzagging all around my run today.
- An absolute highlight of my run today - at about 5k I was running up on a ridge overlooking the frozen creek when I thought I saw a dog in the distance coming towards me from the opposite side of the creek. It wouldn't be unusual, there are homes right there, but nope, no human with that dog. Then as he got closer, I thought, is that a Shiba Inu? We have a few of them in town but I could not imagine an owner not being with him and he seemed a little big to be a Shiba. Then I got closer and saw...it was a fox! I have scared up a fox before running in the coulee in front of my house, but never running along these city pathways. He was running toward my path across the frozen creek but he kept stopping, staring at me, as I stopped and stared at him, each of us trying to figure out how we can avoid each other but continue on our path. I tried to get a picture but as you can see it didn't turn out too well. I may've tried zooming in too much given I was up on the hill and he wasn't exactly sitting there posing for me. Oh well, I still added it, because it was so cool to see. Now he tried backtracking back the way he came but you could tell that wasn't what he wanted so I stopped completely and then he zoomed up the bank in front of me, across the pathway and kicked into high gear across the field away from me. He was so gorgeous. I'm glad I got to see him and that we were able to both go where we planned without an altercation.
- As I reached the point that was to be my turn around point for this out and back run, I saw the long hill that I tend to avoid unless I'm doing a hill training run. However today, I saw that the majority of what I could see was fairly clear of ice. Knowing I was going to avoid part of the path I just came on, I decided to run up the hill and detour into the area I mentioned above. It was nice to get a longer hill in mid-run, of a decent incline. And, I can actually easily run up the entire hill now (except the 2 icy patches that I stopped and shuffled across, but that was safety, not cardio related). Again, great prep for my trail runs this summer (sorry, dreaming of trail running this summer is what is getting me through this winter).
- As I was crossing over and under the various bridges on my route there was open water. It was so pretty watching the flowing water bubble under the edge of the ice. I stopped to take a little looksy midrun. Today's run wasn't fast, but I sure enjoyed every part of it.
- As I reached the final 2k in my run, my tummy was reminding me I was missing lunch. I knew today was going to be a longer run and I didn't have a huge breakfast due to having some repairmen in to fix my heater first thing this morning so I took my usual Tailwind with me, but also threw in a bag of raisins in the pouch of my hydration belt. As my tummy was rumbling and my legs were getting tight and with my struggles with low blood sugar, I stopped for a handful of raisins. By this point, I have been running for over an hour and a half and it really hadn't warmed up much so those little raisins were frozen. The nice thing about frozen raisins, they're just a little chewier, but really are quite yummy! I've taken little Mars bars on these winter runs and they freeze quite hard after this length of time in these temps making them hard to eat, but the raisins hit the spot and allowed me to finish my run. I then ate more on my drive home while I chugged the rest of my Tailwind and felt well enough after drinking a yogurt drink when I got home to have a quick soak in the outside hottub before hitting the shower and having a very delayed lunch.
And last, but not least, tatatata.....
- I ran my longest road run to date -16.3km! I have ran/hiked a longer trail run this summer, but my running partner was struggling with her legs so we hiked more than we ran so I call that one a hike instead of a run, but regardless today was the longest non-trail run. I have reached 16 km twice before in my running "career" but with my detours today, I got a bit further in. I'm working toward a HM distance and am hoping to finally make it. On the other 2 attempts, after reaching this distance, fate would intervene and my running would be halted. The first was a car accident and the second was a bad fall on the ice. Both were around this time of year and I fell into such a funk that once I healed from my injuries, I found it hard to restart so fingers crossed that third time is a charm and this winter I succeed. I'm going with the power of positive thinking! It WILL happen 🙂
So lots of positives today. Thank you to Bluebird and paulanoo for reminding us to take time to enjoy our runs. I hope everyone is able to find some positives in their runs this weekend!
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SaskAlliecat
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Congratulations on completing that run, you sent us a very detailed post about your run, if it was minus 13 anywhere in the UK where I live I don't think there would d be many running 5K, let alone 16K, nice report about the fox you met . I assume you live in Canada, a lovely place to stay in. 😊
Thanks Al. Yup, I'm in Canada on the prairies where -13 and calm in January is a treat. i enjoy winter runs but this year is a challenge with all the ice. We've had a few above zero days after large snowfalls that I could do without for now. They make the roads and paths so treacherous.
What a great run. You're right - if we start out with a determination to see the positives they are always there!
Reading you post, which has inspired me to get out for a longer run today (I was trying to decide) has also made me wish for a bit more of a winter freeze here - I love bright, cold (may be not quite -13!) frosty mornings but we just seem to be having a mild, damp, grey winter here.
Brilliant distance too - I'll definitely not be going that far! 😊
Yay, so glad to hear you got inspired for a longer run today. We've got a super busy day this morning so I will have to look for your post tonight when we get home. I really enjoy my frosty morning runs, but the ice can go away any time now. I grew up on the Northern coast of BC so I recall the damp grey winters as well. Some days I would love to not have all the snow, but the dreary days sure can get to you after awhile. I find the damp cold so much harder to deal with than our dry cold here. All you have to do is dress for the cold here and you're good, but that damp cold gets into your bones and is hard to shake. But be careful what you wish for; you may wake up to subzero temps now 😆
I do love snow - though I do have to be careful what I wish for as now it poses me real headaches as it's my decision as to whether to close or try to keep school open (we're just not set up to deal with it in the UK) and whatever I do upsets half of the parents 😊.
But like you I prefer frosty dry cold to damp cold any day.
You can't win in that scenario! My husband is a teacher and they always have to keep the school open so severe snow days often become babysitting days unfortunately. We haven't had any major snowstorms this year...yet.....but it is early. It looks like we have snow again in our forecast for the end of the week. Here's hoping for a big dump! If it's going to be winter, I want it to be winter. Otherwise our snowmobiles sit in the garage all sad and shiny, just waiting to go on a trip.
Lovely description Saska and what a beautiful place to run. I love the thought of positives, think I’d have to dig very deep to find a positive in running in minus 13 though. All power to you, Wow! 👊🏻
Thanks Lexi. When I'm forced to run in town (as I am all winter), running that pathway is a nice treat. I tend to see a few birds and have seen deer before. This was the first close encounter with a fox though and it was pretty special. Unfortunately subzero temperatures are my normal for 5-6 months a year, so you figure out a way to dress for it, or resort to the treadmill. I prefer to limit my treadmill runs to when it is too windy or cold to keep it safe. I gotgreat winter running gear this year and actually overdressed a bit yesterday. I'm still working through the best base layer to wear at each temperature 😆
What a lovely run! And an amazing distance. I was listening to a ‘thank you run’ on the Nike app the other day and it does make a difference doesn’t it 😊 I’m off later so will try to give it a go and remind myself that this running is fun 😬 Thanks for your reminder!
Thank Hidden and Bluebirdrunner ; they started this happiness journey with their January quest to find joy in their runs. It is a great reminder though of why many of us do this - not to win races (that will never happen, at least in my case) but just for the pure joy that running gives us
Thanks IP. I remember someone quite a while ago on here talking of taking raisins on their run, that was what made me think of it. Since I was kind of hungry before my run started, I figured I better bring something along. I’ll be making it a regular little snack in my hydration pack for sure!
Lovely photos, the scenary is stunning. I can not wrap my head around frozen mars bars and raisins. Wosser, so cold. I got back from my parkrun today and was so hot I'm doing the next one in shorts!
Running in shorts, such a pipe dream for me at the moment..... except on my dreadmill 😫. Enjoy running in shorts. In 6 months (well maybe 7), i’ll be complaining about having to run in +30C. Such huge temp swings we have here. We definitely have all 4 seasons here, but winter is by far our longest.
What a wonderful post Sask....I felt like I was out there with you...and I could almost feel the tension between you and that foxy fox?!! You are so right, running for the sheer pleasure of running and just being outdoors is something that i think I forgot to do and that went my mojo looking for excitement elsewhere...I'm already looking forward to my next run after reading your fabulous post...I like an early Sunday morning run, which I had forgotten about, being up and out while most people are still snoring in their beds makes me enjoy a run all the more. It sounds lovely where you run too...and my imagination runs wild when I'm out there with you!!! Thank you for this post SaskAlliecat ...a true reminder of the wonders of what we do, where it takes us and how much we benefit with every step xxx
It is easy to forget why we run when we’re striving for new distance or speed goals. One of the benefits of my winter runs is I have to slowdown and enjoy my scenery (and the path right in front of me or risk ending up on my tushy) making it easier to enjoy the run. Enjoy your early morning Sunday run!
Oh Sask, what a great read and what a great run! Well done. I am glad too that you had all the joys on your run. 😁 Loved reading about your foxy encounter. I see lots of foxes on my urban routes in London, some of them magical, some unnerving. The foxes are not that scared of people here, I once saw one sat on the path ahead of me - I carried on, thinking s/he would move, but oh no! I had to run around it! 🦊
So far my 2 fox encounters, they’ve both been more scared of me than I of them but I don’t think either have been exposed to many people. When he first stopped and stared at me, he seemed mighty confident making me a little nervous but that quickly passed. When I went by on my return I looked for him but I suspect he was long gone. Wildlife conditioned to people can be so unpredictable so do take care on your runs!
Having the hot tub is sure nice after these long runs. My right hamstring is a little tight, as it has been after most runs, but so far I’m feeling pretty good. I’m not sure if it is the short stretching session I did in the gazebo at the park immediately post run or the soak. Regardless, I’m feeling pretty good and we’re heading to the pool right away so should limber up even more.
Oh don’t worry Sask, I gave the Fox a wide berth as I ran around it! To be honest, I am more in danger with domesticated dogs with careless owners in London!
A swim is lovely after a run (if you have the energy!) but I would kill for a hot tub!
Sask I LOVE your posts. I can visualise your runs as you don’t miss out a single detail. Fabulous! 😍
Meeting the fox must have been exhilarating. And having to detour on the fly is something I’ve never done. What a great distance too. Wow, good for you, it sounds like you had an amazing time. I don’t blame you wistfully wishing for summer, but you’re making the most of what you have and it sounds A-Ma-Zing! 🏃♀️🏃♀️👍👍❤️❤️
Thanks Cheeky 😊. I know that my posts are quite long and I can’t seem to shorten them much but, like you said, I can bring you guys along for the adventure that way. I’m glad you enjoy them.
Detouring in the fly was tough for me when I first started running. I’m an over planner so I would plan my route, run my scheduled distance and heaven forbid if I couldn’t do it for whatever reason - so stressful 🙄. But running, especially in these conditions, have taught me to be less rigid. I’d like to think that has spilled over a bit into my regular life. I often go out with an idea in mind of what I’m running and where I’m running, but let the wind and conditions help to dictate the actual plan. My trail running partner has made a huge influence on me as well. She is very free-spirited so she has taught me to let go a bit and run “Fletcher style” 😆 while I bring some discipline to the table and help to keep her on the straight and narrow ... well, a little bit maybe. We’re a great pair. Unfortunately she is stepping back a bit this year so I’m not sure how much we’ll run together. I’m hoping some still because I really enjoy our time together and adventures.
Brilliant Sask. Promise not to make your posts shorter? I love them - plus I don’t feel so bad myself when I go rambling on! 😅
I’m a little like you in terms of being rather rigid. I plan a run, I do it. Occasionally, very occasionally, I’ll run for longer (although subconsciously I know I might!), but I never run less. Yesterday at parkrun I was out of my comfort zone running with the other lady and talking, but it served me well and I got a PB! So yes, being flexible is good. I’ll try harder!
Happy running Sask. Here’s to spring arriving sooner rather than later! 😀👍🏃♀️❤️
What a great post, Sask! I so admire you and everyone who runs in such cold weather! I panic if it gets a bit frosty on the pavements here And the fox! Wow! Well done for your longest road run as well - brilliant
Thanks Annie. I’m feeling it a little bit in my legs today but swimming with the family yesterday helped to loosen me up a bit. It’ll be a shorter run with my hubby today.
Hi Allie, such a brilliant post and run! I read your report yesterday, but didn't have time to respond properly.😊
My, you did find lots of positives, I'm so glad you saw the sun, even though it was still -13...😨 and the bubbling water, fox encounter and frozen raisons were a bonus and helpful treat.
I love reading your reports too, you write so well...we can see it all. So pleased your acheived a PB road run distance of 16.3k too..that must be so satisfying👌
Perfect trail run training, ready for spring time, and making the most of that great outdoors of yours!
Keep having fun and running Allie. Love your positivity!😊xxxx
Thanks a lot Jan. I’m so glad you posted about your run the other day. You and paulanoo have started a great thing here, reminding us to essentially stop and smell the roses. Well, the crisp air for me. All our flowers and grass is frozen 😉. I like that I don’t see stopping to take a picture or a drink of water or to just watch the bubbling water as “cheating” like I used to. Trail running has changed how I run and how I look at running which is another thing I’m thankful for.
Your timing on your post was perfect for me. I was getting quite low over the last month. I would read posts but rarely comment, and was just trying to get through my day. You’ve helped to remind me to see the joy in the little things and I feel that dark cloud lifting again. Thank you 😊. It feels like Allie’s on her way back again.
Aaah I'm sure you are Allie.... keep looking for the silver lining on that dark cloud, you know it's there. Every run is gettng you closer to springtime too! xxx
Hey Saskie, I've been away for the weekend so I missed your post. And it's wonderful! So full of positives - being outside instead of on the treadmill, your longest run ever, the fox, the raisins, the SUNSHINE, the HOTTUB ! (can I come visit ), the bubbling water, the hill (now come on, how can a hill be a positive? ) but most of all, you are enjoying your running. Just fab !
I didn't do a long run today as I went out with my sisters last night and we had a big meal, then the cinema and I hardly slept a wink on her hard futon. But you know, family connections are a positive too and I didn't beat myself up for not running.
Glad you are being careful on the ice. Hugs to you
You are more than welcome to visit anytime. I suggest summer though, a little more enjoyable with the houseboat, the trails, the heat....
Sounds like you had a nice time with your family which is very important too. I'm glad you're not beating yourself up over some missed runs. That is the beauty of running. A missed run isn't the end if the world, especially when it means some quality time with those you love. Enjoy the runs you have this week.
Awesome run Sask. Dunno how I missed this post, but good on you! In -13! Congrats on the distance and it sounds like such a reinforcement run too. You seem to have needed one of these for a awhile now. The fox was great too. Love encountering nature on my runs too. Had a fox greet me on my driveway once. Well done! 💪🏃♀️🦊👏👍🏼
Our weather is all over the place right now. Sundays run was above zero and I peeled off my jacket, gloves and hat and sent them home with hubby when we parted ways on our run. Haven' t had one of those in a while but it looks like we're getting cold again. Feels like April instead of January, but I think January is coming back now ❄️.
It felt great to reach 16k again; I'm hoping to get past it this time. I had a little blip again, thanks to a kidney stone rearing it's ugly head Sunday night, but I should be back at it pretty quick and it shouldn't hold me back. It is serving as a great reminder to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate right now 😆
Yeah our weather has been up to plus 5 and down into negative double digits the next day. Not as extreme as yours, but we’ve had a few “Winnipeg” days 🥶.
Hope that Kidney stone doesn’t cause too much grief. I never seem to need water on the cold day runs, but it is important.
I'm really good about taking Tailwind on my runs more than an hour (although sometimes I don't drink much of it until after the run). I tend to not drink much during my work day and my days off but I'm working on it. I'm pretty sure it's in my bladder now based on how things are feeling so it should be smooth sailing now 🤞. I'm planning another "hubby" run tomorrow night, so I should be good to go by then 🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽
Nice! I’ve not used tailwind since the race in Oct. I need to get a pack from BlackToe running downtown. MEC does not seem to carry it. Good luck tomorrow!
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And the fox! Wow! Well done for your longest road run as well - brilliant 
), the bubbling water, the hill (now come on, how can a hill be a positive? ) but most of all, you are enjoying your running. Just fab ! 
week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
How did your parkrun or (not)parkrun go?
