I've been struggling to do anything this week but knew today was the day for my longer easy run. The sun was shining, temperatures had warmed up to near freezing, and I saw there was a November weekend 10k badge on Garmin this weekend. So I accepted the challenge, put on my lighter winter run gear and drove over to the city pathway. I haven't ran 10k since running my HM this summer but knew I was going to keep it slow and easy, focussing in keeping it in HR zone 3 so success was highly possible.
I haven't ran this pathway since the snow hit and the city is still trying to get all the snow cleared so I wasn't sure which winter cleats (if any) I would need today. I threw both in the car and drove around a bit to scope out different areas of the pathway that I would run. It had been cleared but was snowy in most areas with a few bare patches so I put on my yaktrax with the coils and spikes and set off with a Spotify playlist in my ear that was generated for me from my past frequently played songs.
Within the first km, I knew I was overdressed. The jacket got undone and the gloves came off. By 3k, the jacket came off and was tied around my waist. It was a little cool without the jacket initially but I was sweating quite a bit so I figured it was better to take it off sooner rather than later. It was a good decision for I warmed up in no time. I stopped along the way to take some pictures and kept the run nice and easy. There were lots of walkers today and a few dog walkers but no other runners seen. There was a lot of ice under the snow cover so I am glad I wore my winter cleats and was able to keep a fairly steady pace. There wasn't a lot of wildlife today, but I did see 2 black squirrels zooming around a tree and caught a glimpse of a little chickadee heading into a tree. By 7km, I was now running into the wind and I was getting cool so the jacket was put back on. As I curved around the final corner, a good song came on (Wrong side of Heaven by Five Finger Death Punch) and with the end in sight I had a hard time keeping the pace down so I ended up in Zone 4 for the last little bit.
I finished the run sweaty and happy. 10k November weekend badge obtained, in addition to the Intense 150 badge. Yay. Little milestones but I'll take them at this point. As I keep saying, I'll get back on track. One step, one run at a time.
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SaskAlliecat
Graduate10
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What a wonderful post. Your beautiful photos and the detail in your description really bring your run to life. Thanks for sharing 😊❄️.
This year our first snowfall was in October (it thankfully didn't stay) and we've been known to have weird snowstorms in May (that also usually doesn't stick around) so winter is by far our longest season. By the time Spring comes, we are ready for it. This snow is here to stay so we're in for the long haul now. That is why we must make the best of it, otherwise you go stir crazy!
More lovely wintry photos from you, nice run for you in the just below freezing temperatures but the sunshine made the run very pleasant for you, congratulations on that 10K, a well deserved badge.
Last year at the end of November I ran a official Parkrun in a - 6C temperature, tomorrow for my 24th not parkrun the temperature is forecast to be +2C, so not as cold as last year.
The sun really does make all the difference - in mood and spirit for sure. It does make it rather bright though with the glare and I haven't been wearing sunglasses due to the toque but I might have to try it next time and see how cold it feels on the face and how steamed up they get. I could pull out the ski goggles but I might get some odd looks 😆
Enjoy your (not)parkrun tomorrow. +2 was about what I was running in today by the end of my run. It will be much nicer than the -6 from last year!
My 24th (not ) parkrun went very well thanks Sask, I left the house at sunrise so it was quite dark, some houses had Christmas lights on outside in their gardens, it was nice running past them, especially a lovely little lit Christmas Tree at a door. The weather has been sunny for late Autumn with a maximum temperature of +6C/43F, when I was running it was +2C a very pleasant temperature to run in
We seem to have a lot of black squirrels around here. They are quite a treat to see and they are quite large too! They always make me smile, even when they are zipping across my hammock and stealing the bird food from the feeder.
We have black squirrels in this area - Hertfordshire. They’re very common and the symbol for our town. Great run - I’m not sure I’d go out in those conditions but I’m sure it’s different when it’s normal for you. I lived outside Washington DC for a while but wasn’t a runner then!!
I hadn't seen a black squirrel until we moved here. They are definitely neat. I actually quite enjoy running in winter, except when it is icy. I fell one year so I tend to be cautious on the ice. I think I prefer cold weather running to really hot running - I can always layer up but can only take so much off. The toughest part is that it tends to be quite slow so you have to shift your training and not worry about speed.
Like you I’d not seen black squirrels until I came here. Agree with the cooler running but I never think that when I’m working up to leaving the house!!
So true! It takes a bit longer to gear up that's for sure. I will admit by the time summer comes, I am ready for warmer runs where I think in theory I should be able to get out quicker but in reality, then I have to put on sunscreen, fill my water, find my sunglasses, etc. Maybe it isn't any quicker 😆
Phew that was a chilly one Sask that run with you waaaaaaaaaaaazzzzzzzz amazing thank you from a chilly north wales, we've only really the rat like grey squirrels the poor ol reds are being driven out 😨..... And not just a run you took me on a learning adventure and (thanks to google) I'm fully up to speed on the chickadee, but I never knew twas of the genus of tits, every days a school day..... All I say is more please SaskAlliecat. Sooo glad that mojo is apparently firmly back in place with a vengeance 💪💪
Chickadees are one of my favourite winter birds. I don't get to see them that often but I saw one the other day on a tree at a house behind ours. I had my husband build a feeder using a tree branch that his dad has had success with feeding them from where he lives. I'm still waiting for them to find it, but hopefully soon. Birds make me happy. They entertain my kitties too(who are indoors only, much to their chagrin- I know one of them would love to get out but we watch him closely when the door is opened). The mojo is finding it's way back slow but sure. Now if I could get motivated for some strength training and core work. One step at a time right? But I did restart my meditation practice today to help with my stress level (and climbing blood pressure). So that might have to take a bit of a priority.
Call me traditional Sask but I do have a soft spot for a Robin, but this year with fiddling around with different feeds, the nuthatches have visited the feeders and quite a selection of different tits, baby blue tits are so delightful to watch, a definite blurry of blue scruffiness 🤗.
But there she goes again if it's not the science of the HR yooz on about core and strength training 💪. Back in the days pre marriage I'd occasionally visit the local gym, mainly the running machine and I played a lot of squash, maybe with light work on the odd machine, Rowers etc, then along comes Mrs Wife ( from across the fence) we were neighbours pre marriage 🤫) and a comment was made that I was a tad to muscley lol hardly, thing is I guess I'm sorta built that I've minimal body fat certainly no excess and I tone quite quickly. Needless to say gym visits endeth..... She'll comment that if I run too much I'll waste away 🤷😂 hardly as I can eat and do eat like a machine but it just burns off in a nano second. This body thrives on weetabix and pizza it's a mystery 🤔.
Back to the store mentioned feline in your post, ours is a farm cat we've had since a kitten and aquired for company for out cocker spaniel Sid, they adore one another and yes given the chance she when left to wander will bring him ickle birds as a treat, poor sid is left looking mystified by her offerings!?!?
I did though this week do the odd session of planks and things just to tick over.....
Back in our courtship days hubby and I used to be gym rats. I miss those days. We have a home gym now but don’t tend to work out together much anymore. At least hubby is able to get kiddo working out with him sometimes, which is great. You’re so lucky you can eat and eat and not gain weight. My metabolism was great but it has definitely slowed down the last few years. So now I have to think about what I’m eating. Enjoy it while you got it!
Well done SaskAlliecat 🏃♀️ and thanks for the tip about the November Weekend 10K challenge on Garmin. I’ve signed up for that and aiming to do it on Sunday!👍
Your welcome! I thought there might be a few on here interested in it. I happened to see it on a FB post in the Garmin Connect group this morning. I haven't gotten any new badges lately so to get 2 today was a nice surprise. Enjoy your 10k on Sunday!
So happy the mojo is coming back Sask. This sounds like a lovely run. We have lots of Chickadees and Juncos about these days. The Chickadee song makes me smile. I’m going to check out Five Finger Death Punch now 🎸
I’ll warn you, some of their songs are a little harsh but their milder ones are amazing! My son got me hooked on them. I really enjoy the Chickadee song. It stands out so much.. I’m not sure if we have juncos. I’ll have to look into them
Thats ok , I listen to old Metallica and Soundgarden on occasion courtesy of Mrs Decker who was a huge fan back in the day. Great song and a really powerful veteran’s support video, thanks for the reference! The juncos out here are grey and black but I think the ones out west are a bit more colourful.
I hadn't seen the video before. Wow! So powerful! It brought me to tears. Thanks for mentioning it.
We had a young veterinarian who used play Five Finger Death Punch while she was in surgery and it was so harsh and angry, I couldn't understand how this sweet young girl could listen to it, let alone perform surgery while listening to it (although I'm weird and one of the few veterinarians in my practice who likes a quiet surgery suite). Fast forward a few years, my son plays me Blue on black, Gone away, and A little bit off and I can't believe they are the same band. I absolutely love the main singers voice when he is singing (and not screeching in his death metal way) and have started a number of new play lists now. There is something about metal ballads that I really like. My kiddo has got me back listening to some of the music from my youth as well, like Metallica, Ozzy Osborne, Iron Miaden but he has also opened my eyes to some other bands and songs I would never have listened to. It is a great connection we have. He'll often pull me over and want to play some new music he has found and the next thing you know, I'm making a new playlist (or stealing his off Spotify 😆)
I ran a this morning, down the lanes with small birds flitting from the hedges from one side of the road to the other. I'm not sure what they were, no doubt you would have known! Today my soundtrack was Rainbow, a pace that was good for me and a couple of tracks so long I could do more than a km in.I never tire of your snowy posts or pictures, I'm sure it's not so easy to live with, but it looks breathtakingly beautiful. 😊
I wish I knew more birds by appearance but I'm learning as I go (if I can get a relatively clear look at them I can often figure it out). I've downloaded an All about birds app on my iPad that has helped with the identification of some. I'm not familiar with Rainbow, I'll have to give them a look.
Not familiar with!!!!.If you are going to check them out make it the Ronnie James Dio years🤘, I'm not sure an app would have helped me this morning, those buggers were fast.x
The link didn't work but I found it! Thanks. On googling him, he's been in quite a few bands, including Black Sabbath which I have heard of. Stargazer would be good to run to. Thanks for the suggestion. More songs to explore and add 🤘
Beautiful beautiful photos Sask, I’m not surprised you felt the need to run. ❄️ 🏃♀️🥰 Well done on achieving your Garmin badge - there’s nothing like a shiny reward is there, virtual or otherwise. 😍
Given the way things are going around here, it may be quite a while before any real sort of bling is achieved so I'll take the virtual ones for now. Although a friend of mine is doing a Gingerbread run this weekend. It is done on your own time, but I believe you had to pick up the swag and it is in our hardest hit city for Covid cases. No thanks! Her daughter lives there so it made sense for her but not for me.
Amazing post! It's hard enough for me to run 10k, let alone on snowy tracks 🙌🙌 having said that it's always been a dream of mine to go for a run in the snow but living in SE England, that's just not going to happen, ah well. Enjoy your wintry runs and the wonderful wildlife around you!🏃♀️❄️🐿️
I really enjoy my snowy runs. They tend to be quite peaceful and the scenery is enjoyable. The only thing I don't like is if I try is windy but even that wasn't bad yesterday when I went because we were quite warm.
Beautiful photos! Well done on your run. 👏👏👏I'm very jealous of the snow and the sunshine. Yesterday I did my run along the estuary in thick grey fog to the accompaniment of a fog horn. Although the temperature was above freezing, the breeze was biting and really quite unappealing.
I grew up on the west coast of British Columbia so I feel for you running in the thick fog and biting winds! Not enjoyable but you're committed and did it so my hat's off to you! I remember the last time I went home to visit my family, my father-in-law came with us. It was overcast the whole time. The second last day he asked if there really were mountains here, because he hadn't seen them yet 😆. Fortunately, the sun did finally come out for one day and he finally got to see them.
It is funny, on the Garmin Connect FB group there are some who complain abut the badges and how childish they are but for me, it is a nice reason to just push it a little more and is sometimes just the motivation I need. We'll take and use what we can to help keep us motivated and going strong.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful corner of the world again with its wildlife and and weather. I'm doing a winter writing sanctuary at the moment to encourage me to write again but also to help me through the dreariness of winter by taking time to notice and appreciate the little details in nature which we can overlook especially if we're not getting outside much. Your writing really captures this.I meditate on and off but find it hard to do whilst running. I wonder if just acknowledging thoughts as they pop up and returning to focusing on the breath whilst running is in itself mindful. On my cool down walk I sometimes find a place to sit (or lean against a tree) for a short time just to close my eyes and have a short meditation. Maybe in such cold temperatures it would be more comfortable inside on your return to hold the peace of your run for longer. I use the Insight Timer app and have done some nice forest bathing meditation walks with this. Good luck with your meditation practice. 😊
Thank you slinky. Your words are very kind. Your winter writing sanctuary sounds like just the right solution to help with the winter blues. I am a very inexperienced meditator but I believe acknowledging your thoughts while running then focussing n your breath is very mindful. I find my best runs are when I'm not working through an internal struggles and can just focus n my breath and really take in m surroundings. It is about the here and now, which is what Mindfulness meditation is all about. Huh, maybe I've been meditating longer tan I realized, just in the form of running 😁. I like the idea of being able to meditate tight after the run to help hold that peace a little longer. I'm still trying to figure out the best time for me to meditate, but I may need to try that on my run days. Thanks for the suggestion. The instructor of the online course I did mentioned the Insight timer. I had forgotten about that one. I'll have to look into it as well. A forest meditation walk sounds divine!
You are right; running in itself is often very mindful. I think when I'm embroiled in my thoughts whilst running, I stop noticing my surroundings so I'm going to try and make more of an effort to mindfully connect with the environment.I still haven't figured out the best time to meditate either. I think I need to see it more as an essential part of my routine like brushing teeth other than an ad hoc occurence. Enjoy your weekend 🙂
Beautiful photos, amazing blue sky, wonderful wildlife, a Garmin challenge and all while you’re off enjoying your 10k run. Thank you for sharing your winter running with us. 👏😊🏃🏻♀️
Well done on your 10k 🤸♀️💐🎈and in snowy and icy conditions! I can't imagine what that was like much harder work I'd guess.Love your photos it looks wonderful 😊 I do hope we get some snow on the UK... But I don't think I'd be running in it 😊
When there is fresh snow it is definitely harder work but with the packed snow and ice, it is more about getting good footing, which makes for slow running. I'm hoping to do a "tempo" run tomorrow but I'm sure it will be much slower than my summer tempo runs. It shouldn't be hard to get and keep my HR in zone 4 for it. Although we are above zero again today and then below zero tomorrow so it may be too icy for that type of run 😕. I guess we'll see. If you do get some snow, take some time to embrace your inner child and have some fun playing in it 😊
It's a long time since we had a snowy post from you Allie, and so lovely to see. We are not planning a Ski trip to N America this season, so will rely on you for tales of life in the snow! Have fun. ❄️☃️❄️⛄
I've been a little absent this year but am slowly making my way back again and enjoying the journey again. We are definitely in full on winter here and likely will be for the foreseeable future so I'm sure I can give you your winter fix. We've decided we're not going to do a ski trip this year either. It just isn't worth the risk. There really is no way to distance properly in the chalets and in the lift lineups, which is too bad. Last year was the first year we took our son to the mountains (instead of our small prairie hills) and he loved it (as did his Momma! I've missed skiing in the mountains). Oh well. There is always next year...hopefully 🤞
Sounds like a perfect run. Better to be overdressed and take stuff off, than underdressed from the start! You had your jacket to put back on too, when it got a bit chillier. Lovely pics, and a grand time for 10k, I'd be pleased with that.
Just when I think I've figured out what to wear, Mother Nature changes things up on me. But yes, it was nice to be able to put my jacket back on. I just wish I wore my thinner jacket from the start. I have so many options for what to wear 😆. I was pleased with the overall time. I wasn't sure how long it would take with switching to HR and not thinking of pace but it was similar to what I would have run it last year with these conditions. I'm quite pleased with it.
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week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
How did your parkrun or (not)parkrun go?
