I've only been running for about 8 years and one thing has remained constant. I really really really don't like to be cold. I've learned to under-dress when I run because my core heats up quickly but my extremities stay cold for the entire time I'm outside. I think 57 degrees is my fingertip freezing point. No, not literal freezing point, just when it becomes so uncomfortable that the only thing I can concentrate on is my hands.
Last night I joined Olivia for her buddy run at Heather Farm. My brain was busy whining because it was dark and hazy and cool. I had thrown my change of clothes in the car the night before and thought I had packed everything but apparently my brain didn't get the memo about how cool it would be. I had long sleeves and knickers but forgot gloves. Darn. I knew, just from standing around chatting before we started, that I'd have chilly fingers the entire time.
I was right. Except for my hands I had a wonderful, easy, short run. The group hasn't started building time or mileage so we only ran for a half hour. I was running with Olivia (who is considerable faster than I am) and another woman (who is somewhat slower than I am). We did an out-and-back along the trail, going rather slowly in the first direction. After we turned around we increased our speed which was noticeable when we all stopped talking. We slowed a little when we realized that, but then picked up again in the last stretch and finished with a fast sprint. Admittedly it was a short run, but I felt great afterward.
My hands were almost too cold to hold my steering wheel which is ridiculous when it was still in the 50's. I'm going to have to make a point to keep gloves in the car, replacing them after each run. I wash them after I use them and I'll have to remember to put them in the car straight from the drier. If I had a place in the car I'd just leave a pile of them there, but I don't have a cargo cover and I hate to leave anything in sight. Not that I think a thief is going to break into my car to steal cheap gloves, but still.
I didn't want to run last night. I fought myself to not go directly home. But when I was done with the run I wondered what all the fuss was about. I felt so good (except for some knee and back pain but I'm pretending that doesn't exit or if it does then it was caused by the cold) that it's ridiculous for me to not want to do it every day. I don't understand why it's so hard for me to get started when the results are so good.
This morning I intended to get up early and do a quick cross-training workout. I had my clothes all ready to pop out of bed and get started. But the alarm went off and it was freezing. Too cold to get up. I re-set the alarm and got up at my usual time. I checked and it was 53 degrees in my house. But that's no excuse and I'll need to come up with something that will force me out of bed, some way to get my workouts done. I just feel too good afterward to be slacking.
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Have you considered those disposable hand heater thingys? Okay, that was so unclear. They heat up when exposed to air - I think skiiers use them? Well, I don't run but when I sell Girl Scout cookies with my daughter's troop, we use them to keep are hands warm. The only drawback is the price. You'd need new ones every day. Well, maybe it would be worth it for the coldest days?
ReplyDeleteI actually have used those at races, they're available at Target for about $1. They work well and when it's below freezing they're almost essential! But if it's in that grey area of 40's and 50's they're too warm. If I remember to wear gloves I don't get as cold, it's the "remember" thing that I'm working on. :)
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