Running in the Cold

After work today, I went and ran about 7 miles because I didn’t want to miss out on the last day of nice weather. Meteorologists are telling me that it’ll start to rain here (just in time to really muddy up the trails for the Rocky Raccoon 100 this weekend) tomorrow.

I felt a little guilty about worrying about a little rain when there are other runners about to battle what dogs can do multiple times better in Alaska. At least a few runners are going to be running the Iditarod Invitational in Anchorage, Alaska on the 24th of February. I can’t help but believing they are a little nuts but if it’s what makes them happy then I support them in it.

At least I don’t have to worry about an angry moose trampling me while I’m trying to drag my sled behind me even if a few rain drops are muddying my trails.

I woke up at 4am this morning to head out on my 21 mile run. My plan was to run a quarter of the way around the lake and then off towards downtown Dallas. On the way back I would head north about 5 miles and then turn to go back home.

I left my place at 4:15 to the bitter cold. The temperature when I left was around 22 degrees. I was bundled up with a few layers, a hat, gloves, and a scarf around my face. Much to my surprise, I saw one person who was running in shorts. Please wear appropriate running gear in the elements! You might feel warm because your legs are moving, but you are exposed to bitterly cold temperatures.

As I was approaching downtown Dallas, the weather started to change as I felt some rain drops. As I continued I noticed that it was actually a wintry mix of snow and sleet coming down. As it started to accumulate on me, I decided that it would be best to turn around.

Instead of heading north, I decided to back track my path. I didn’t see the guy running in shorts, but I did start to see some cars slipping around. This is a good reason to avoid road running, I suppose. I decided to run on some back routes where I wouldn’t see as many people on their morning commute. As I ran, I decided to pick up some speed because of how uncomfortable it was outside. My miles went from being about 8 minute miles to closer to 7:30.

When I made it back to the lake it was pretty clear that a lot of businesses would be closed in DFW. There was simply way too much of a mess which was making it difficult to get traction on the run. I made it back in one piece and had a shower and a bowl of oatmeal to warm myself up. I made it 18 miles today.

I have to be honest in saying that you shouldn’t hire me to be your mystery buyer. I will do some research beforehand but then I will completely betray that. I will think that I need one product but buy something else. Then I will come back home and research what I decided to get and feel bad.

That’s what happened when I was going to buy some Recoverite. I saw it at the biking store but they were selling it too high. Then a few days later, I was at the vitamin store and saw some Endurox R4 and thought that it could be alright. I was going to look up some reviews of it but was hassled a little by the salesperson.

I realized that I was in the store even though they were closed, so I felt bad enough that I grabbed the small tub of Endurox. It was the Orange Blast flavoring, so I swapped that out with Fruit Punch.

When I researched it the reviews seemed to say that it works really well which was refreshing. However, they also said that Fruit Punch was anything from gross to tasting like vomit. Every review seemed to say to stay away from Fruit Punch.

I’m happy to say that after my 4 mile hard run, I decided that I would try the Endurox for myself. I love the taste of the Fruit Punch. Maybe I just have strange tastes but I coudn’t be happier with it. I’m just hoping it helps my recovery even though I know this run doesn’t really require it but I need to be 100% because I’m planning on a 22 mile run tomorrow morning.

Despite the rain, I decided that I would go on a quick three or four mile run last night. There was a lull in the rain, so I figured I could miss most of the rain, which I did. I also wanted to try out my new hat and gloves in the colder weather. I’m happy to say that I was so warm that both my hands and head were sweating a little.

After I made it out a mile and half, I decided to turn around and head back in. It was sort of errie at the lake because the only things I saw were the flooded lake and a few random cars parked along the side of the lake. I’m guessing the people inside of them were only there to make out on that somewhat secluded road.

I did have my flashlight with me, so I felt pretty safe, and was going back at a good clip. I was able to see about a 100 feet in front of me a lone runner was coming the opposite direction on the path. When we crossed, he turned around and asked if he could run with me. Of course, I said that I’d be happy to have someone else out with me.

He let me know that he’s training for the Cowtown Marathon in Ft. Worth and was out on an 18 mile run. I think he was also a little lonely out there as there was really nobody running. This wasn’t even late, maybe like 5:45 or 6pm. It was great to have someone come over and decide to run.

Nick, if you happen to run across this, thanks for running with me for a couple miles and best of luck at the marathon.

During my easy five mile run this evening, I started to think about what interests me in ultrarunning. It’s not necessarily the challenge of it all; although, that is part of it, but it’s that they are fun. I like to have fun when I’m running.

Having fun is part of the reason I have no interest in certain endurance races. Namely, I could care less about running the Badwater Marathon or the South Pole Marathon. Those races would certainly present a challenge, but I don’t think they’d be any fun.

What is fun about burning through multiple pairs of running shoes, getting dehydrated because of 120 degree temperatures, having the scorching sun burn your exposed skin, and battling hallucinations for most of a race? I guess that might be fun for Dean Karnazes and Scott Jurek, but I could care less about it. I’d much rather prefer to run with them at the Western States where you have an amazing challenge and some fun.
Also, what is fun about acclimating to freezing temperatures, 12K ft above sea level altitudes, and running with heat packs in your shoes to battle the frostbite? Just as an aside, the website points out one of the perks of the race is having breathtaking views. This is only true until snow blindness kicks in. Enjoy the views when you can’t see or concentrate because you’re thinking about how you’re going to lose the tips of your fingers.
Running should be fun and challenging. The two aren’t mutually exclusive but you can certainly have one without the other. If I am only going to take one, I will take the fun!

That’s Fit wrote a couple articles about running today aimed at casual runners. One in particular concerned whether or not it’s safe to run in the cold. Of course, if you a properly bundled, it is perfectly safe. However, I think the larger point is whether it’s good for a new runner…

I don’t think it is because I don’t think it’s conducive for developing a long term passion for running. Running in the cold can be very uncomfortable and tiring, perhaps more so than in extreme heat.

I hate running on a treadmill, but I think that it’ll be better for some people. Just be aware of the fact that running in the cold might not kill you but you might not come home all that happy when your lungs feel frozen.

That said, I love running in the cold and you might too.