It's winter! This past Fall I was determined to run outside all winter. If I let a little bit of snow or cold stop me, I would be confined to the indoor treadmill for six months. I used to do that in the winter. If it dropped below -15 Celcius, if there was a wind, if it was too dark (when isn't it dark in a Northern Alberta winter?), if it was snowing, I would head down to the basement, throw in a movie and run on the treadmill. Problem is I dislike running inside on a treadmill. I feel like some little gerbil in a cage and it just seems like time slows down when you run inside. Watching a movie is okay - that at least kept me entertained, but I had to have headphones on to listen. The headphones get REALLY sweaty. The headphones would have "salt" stains on the foam after using them several times and if you didn't air them properly they were still a little soggy the next morning - I KNOW - GROSS!!! And try sharing them with your spouse who sweats more than you -- YUCK! Yes, we did get separate sets of headphones, but even still, he had sweated all over the treadmill and just the thought of all that body fluid flung all over the room is enough to make you gag while running. I am sure it is my mindset (what isn't a product of my thoughts?), but it seemed harder to run on the treadmill and I would have to drag myself down to do my run. Because I was just running on the same spot over and over, it made it easier for me to end the run early justifying that I had put the speed up and worked harder.
Last winter I was inspired by my very good friend Cindy who became my running partner (before she moved away). Cindy had started running the year previously and was on a 3-4 day a week plan that suited her schedule well. We started running together in the mornings because my husband's knee had ended his running days with me. I loved the company, especially Cindy's wonderful listening skills. She is a thinker, needs time to absorb the conversation before she typically jumps in with thoughts of her own. That's a great running partner for someone who rarely thinks before they talk and likes to babble and hear themselves (that's me!). By the time Cindy was ready to say something I had filled in the silence with my ramblings and because she now had to think some more about what I just said, I could ramble on fairly non-stop for a full run. You have to love friends like that! I really looked forward to the mornings that I would meet Cindy and do our morning route. The time flew by. Cindy was bound and determined to get out no matter the weather and the year before had managed to do a run in -30. I figured if a "newbie" to running can suck it up and do that, I could after running for more than 10 years. So off to Mountain Equipment Co-Op I went last Fall. I invested in some good winter running clothing armed with the knowledge of the parts that I struggle with - my hands, my face, my feet. I bought a pair of mitts that haven't failed me yet, gators to go over my double socks to keep out the wet and cold and a full balaclava for my face. Depending on the weather I may wear a couple of layers for pants and tops, put on a neck warmer and hat with the balaclava and off I go on my run.
Being clothed properly for the weather conditions gave me a sense of hardiness and contributed to a new maverick personality. I "scoff" at the thought of not going out. Really, if you dress for the weather, there is no excuse. Again, all a mindset. I am not saying a very smart mindset, but setting my mind to the task has me outside in all kinds of weather. The hardest thing is getting the clothing right. If you dress too much and start warm, you will be boiling hot by the time you finish and risk sweating so much that it starts to freeze and give you a "chill". What a combination. I guess that really is my normal anyways - menopause! If you wear too little clothing then you start off cold and really never warm up. That can work in your favour if you want to run faster. Our outdoor thermometer helps me plan for the run but it misses the most crucial piece of the puzzle - what's the wind doing? If it is -25 without a wind I can wear the same clothing I wear when it is -15 with a strong wind. Wind is really what makes the difference, especially when you are heading against the wind. If I head out against the wind, yes it is a B*%^h, but coming home is pleasant because you are heated up now and you can go home without the wind cooling off all that sweat you have accumulated in your clothing. The worst days are the ones where there is a wind and you head out with the wind and come home against the wind. I struggle coming back home in that wind. It builds up icicles on my sweaty clothing and chills me to the bone. It's days like that when I feel like hitchhiking home.
And yes, you still will sweat when you run in the winter. Yesterday was a prime example. The temperature was hovering around -12 and it was snowing and blowing. The snowfall had happened overnight and the graders were out clearing the streets. This was a Saturday so they wouldn't be doing the trail for a while, priority goes to the roads. For the first stretch to the trail, I ran on the road trying to follow the car tracks. This is the treacherous part as the snow has built up over icy sections and you have to be careful you don't slip. Then I hit the sidewalk which hadn't been plowed and I started breaking trail. Breaking trail in the snow is hard work, especially when you have a foot or more of snow to plow through. I usually go up the hill to the cemetery (our only hill close to town with the best view) and down on a Saturday, ending at "Here's To Your Health" for a latte with the gang - because USUALLY at least 1 or 2 show up for a Saturday run together. I waited the obligatory 5 minutes to see if anyone would venture out with me. No such luck. I don't know what was stopping them - it was just a "few flakes".
Off I trudged on the trail but I only made it to the Highway 88 bend and had to turn back. It wasn't because I was cold or because it was too windy, it was because I was EXHAUSTED, gasping for air and dripping sweat from the effort of breaking trail. I admitted defeat, called Pat on the cell phone and told him to meet me early for that latte. Fortunately the weather hadn't deterred the staff person who opens up the shop. She greeted us with a warm smile and a warm drink.
For me, yesterday's run was another "notch" on my belt. This morning will be another (let's see if I can make it up the hill - the weather is still the same, just with more snow!). When I run in adverse weather I feel good. For someone who is never going to win a race, racing against myself and pushing to find my limits are win enough for me. I can proudly declare that I am a RUNNER, especially when I run through a Northern Alberta winter.
Happy Trails to you.
