Cold weather runners, you're welcome!

Stoli - 2010-12-08 7:58 AM Been away from the forum for a while. I did enjoy everyone's smack down though. As some have said, it got them to HTFU and go out and run when they didn't want to. Couple of thoughts:

• As many have said in the past, this is a hobby. I enjoy running, swimming and biking with an occasional race thrown in....in nice weather. Why do it if I don't enjoy it (that's what jobs are for). I did go for a nice 10 mile run at 55 degrees and had a great time.

• During the summer there are dozens of threads about the heat. That's my element, just like the cold is easy for the northern folks. I've been living in FL for 30 years. I've lost the desire to try to "adapt" to the cold. Because we only get a few weeks of it a year, I'll call it my "off season".

Congrats to everyone who's run PRs in the winter. I'll save mine up for next May.

Peace, Stoli

Stoli - 2010-12-09 6:58 AM Been away from the forum for a while. I did enjoy everyone's smack down though. As some have said, it got them to HTFU and go out and run when they didn't want to. Couple of thoughts:

• As many have said in the past, this is a hobby. I enjoy running, swimming and biking with an occasional race thrown in....in nice weather. Why do it if I don't enjoy it (that's what jobs are for). I did go for a nice 10 mile run at 55 degrees and had a great time.

• During the summer there are dozens of threads about the heat. That's my element, just like the cold is easy for the northern folks. I've been living in FL for 30 years. I've lost the desire to try to "adapt" to the cold. Because we only get a few weeks of it a year, I'll call it my "off season".

Congrats to everyone who's run PRs in the winter. I'll save mine up for next May.

Peace, Stoli

mademille - 2010-12-09 7:39 AM
I've been having a really, really hard time running in the cold. I'm miserable, I'm in pain, everything HURTS bad, burning, numb, stinging, I'm crying, I'm coughing, I'm shivering, teeth chattering uncontrollably, I can't breathe and then I can't warm up at all for the rest of the day, even after getting back home in front of a fire. And I know that I will apparently find no sympathy here, fine. But no one from the north better want any sympathy about the heat!

moondawg14 - 2010-12-09 8:31 AM

You're a good man, Charlie Brown.    There are two ways to handle a good smackdown, and you passed the test.

mademille - 2010-12-09 7:39 AM

Same here - can't wait to tell them all to HTFU when they complain about running in 95 degrees. Get over it, its JUST hot, right?

I've been having a really, really hard time running in the cold. I'm miserable, I'm in pain, everything HURTS bad, burning, numb, stinging, I'm crying, I'm coughing, I'm shivering, teeth chattering uncontrollably, I can't breathe and then I can't warm up at all for the rest of the day, even after getting back home in front of a fire. And I know that I will apparently find no sympathy here, fine. But no one from the north better want any sympathy about the heat!

Cavemann - 2010-12-09 7:52 AM

It's all about having the right gear to keep warm. dont go crazy on the web or at the mall, just go to tj maxx/marshalls/home goods/etc. Base layers for $10 (tops or bottoms), spend the $25 and get an under armour cold gear hood, wear some nice soft winter gloves (good for wiping away perspiration/condensation), and go for it .

14° when i left this morning, was a short 2.5 miles, but honestly, after the first 2.5 minutes, I was nice and warm...until it was time for cooldown, and then my toes instantly became painfully cold

wgraves7582 - 2010-12-09 8:15 AM One thing I have learned over my time on BT - no matter what your opinion is, someone is going to have an opposing one.  And they are more than likely going to share it with you as well.

Do what you enjoy - you are out there for you and you alone.  Last time I checked my H/R is not effected by what you do and I am sure yours is not effected by what mine does.  If it is sorry about that it was only 15 degrees this morning for my short run so I went a little faster so I could warm up.

Enjoy your limited off-season and best wishes for a nice warm winter so you can race when YOU want to not when someone on BT thinks it is best for you.

mademille - 2010-12-09 9:11 AM

I have tons of gear, doesn't help. I have have tried about 4 types of gloves, moved to mitten with liners because a few said they are warmer, doesn't help. I wear a base layer (or two) of under armour or nike stuff, then a shirt, then a thermal running jacket, then sometimes a hoodie over that. Plus 2-3 socks (the smart wool ones everyone raves about, but have tried other ones too), then a hat or two. Sometimes a scarf or neck warmer thing too if its windy, especially so I can pull it up over my face/nose if needed. This is in about 35 degrees - still shiver and teeth chatter. Just to walk my kids to the bus stop today that is 1 block away I wore long underwear, two pairs of sweat pants, 3 socks, 3 shirts, sweatshirt, snow jacket, 2 layers of gloves, hats, a hood and I am still cold an hour later back in the house. I guess its possible I have major circulation issues, but every doctor I have told just rolls their eyes and says to stay out of the cold then if it bothers me. People who live in cold and are acclimated just can't fathom how much physical pain the cold can cause those who aren't adjusted. Just as many can't understand being acclimated to running in the heat. Only issue with the heat is I am a tad slower. That's it. No pain, no discomfort. I'll take slow and pain free any day over the physical misery of running in the cold.  BUT - I do it. I still go out there, despite the pain and discomfort and run. Its just hard that people make light of how hard it is for some of us to over come that.

Stoli - 2010-12-09 6:58 AM Been away from the forum for a while. I did enjoy everyone's smack down though. As some have said, it got them to HTFU and go out and run when they didn't want to. Couple of thoughts:

• As many have said in the past, this is a hobby. I enjoy running, swimming and biking with an occasional race thrown in....in nice weather. Why do it if I don't enjoy it (that's what jobs are for). I did go for a nice 10 mile run at 55 degrees and had a great time.

• During the summer there are dozens of threads about the heat. That's my element, just like the cold is easy for the northern folks. I've been living in FL for 30 years. I've lost the desire to try to "adapt" to the cold. Because we only get a few weeks of it a year, I'll call it my "off season".

Congrats to everyone who's run PRs in the winter. I'll save mine up for next May.

Peace, Stoli

Donskiman - 2010-12-09 8:50 AM Too cold, too hot, too windy, etc., are all excuses we make when we don't want to do something. If you don't want to do it, then don't. No excuse necessary.

I'll be out there running when it's -15F or over 100F. I've run in near blizzard conditions and in winds that almost knock me down. But I do it because I want to. If I didn't want to I wouldn't do it.

FWIW, I did a HM on Saturday with temps in the 30s and PRed by over 4 and a half minutes. However, I don't think the temp had much to do with it.

mademille - 2010-12-09 11:05 AM

 I disagree that they are excuses because despite saying its too cold - I STILL DO IT, so how is it an excuse? A complaint maybe, but not an excuse. I have two kids, a husband who works long hours, 3 hours a day commute, I am a full time college student in a tough science program trying to maintain a 4.0 and its finals week right now. I could find PLENTY of excuses not to run or workout, I don't need to blame the weather. But despite my life, commitments, etc. I still get in my 8+hrs of training a week no matter what.  I don't do excuses.

And I don't always do it because I want to, I do it because I need to.  I don't really "love" exercise at all, but I love the results - feeling healthy, having energy, improving my mood, fitting into my size 2 jeans. Same as I don't "enjoy" paying my mortgage, but I want a roof over my head. I don't have "fun" doing laundry, but I don't want my clothes to stink. I don't "love" cleaning toilets, but I don't want a home full of germs.  I guess that's why I don't make excuses.

Stoli - 2010-12-09 6:58 AM

Been away from the forum for a while. I did enjoy everyone's smack down though. As some have said, it got them to HTFU and go out and run when they didn't want to. Couple of thoughts:

• As many have said in the past, this is a hobby. I enjoy running, swimming and biking with an occasional race thrown in....in nice weather. Why do it if I don't enjoy it (that's what jobs are for). I did go for a nice 10 mile run at 55 degrees and had a great time.

• During the summer there are dozens of threads about the heat. That's my element, just like the cold is easy for the northern folks. I've been living in FL for 30 years. I've lost the desire to try to "adapt" to the cold. Because we only get a few weeks of it a year, I'll call it my "off season".

Congrats to everyone who's run PRs in the winter. I'll save mine up for next May.

Peace, Stoli

mademille - 2010-12-09 9:11 AM 
BUT - I do it. I still go out there, despite the pain and discomfort and run. Its just hard that people make light of how hard it is for some of us to over come that.