Running in the Cold

What else do you expect to see out of a Torquay Hotel Window?

Its winter, it’s cold. I know I am stating the obvious and to quote John Cleese, ‘What else do you expect to see out of a Torquay hotel window! Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plains?’

The night running routine has definitely become less attractive to me. I am not just a fair weather runner. Any one of the nasty weather conditions in the singular seem to be reasonably bearable. I’ve run in rain, cold and wind but when you put some of those together as of late they have proved rather off putting. 

I don’t remember the weather being such a distraction in the summer, even when it was hot. I find I’m just not concentrating so much on my actual running. I am thinking more about why my glutes still feel so cold when I have two layers of thermal leggings on, or if it’s better to breathe through your nose or mouth to try to warm up the freezing air. It’s not so easy to be relaxed and get into my rhythm and the ‘running zone’ I used to just tune into seems just out of my reach, or interrupted by too many distractions. I guess part of me can hardly believe I am even outside in these temperatures as I am usually such a hot house flower! It just goes to show that running is such a mental battle. I think I need to visualise warm summer evenings and try to block out the cold in every way.

With more motivation required to get moving off the sofa in the evenings I decided to run to my father’s house (2 miles away uphill) rather than jump in a warm car to hand deliver his birthday card. Killing three birds with one stone, I’ve exercised, saved postage and petrol and have reduced my part in global warming. I must have looked strange running along carrying what was obviously a large card, with my pink running gloves and flashing armband. Looks like a special delivery!

When it’s been really hideous outside I have found another outlet for exercise. Our local pool is open for late night swimming twice a week. There is something very satisfying about swimming 50 laps when everyone else is in the pub, or about to drag themselves off to bed. Not only did I have the huge pool almost to myself (only 3 other people there), but it added a great sense of productivity to the end of the day and, like running, I find swimming can order my thoughts and help me make better sense of the next 24 hours.

Cold weather is not all bad though - Hubby & I went for a sunny, frosty, scenic 6 mile run on Saturday in daylight along the towpath.  It was breath-taking on many levels! The vegetation was caught in a glittering frozen case, it looked wonderful and it felt good to be out. The river was like a millpond and all I could hear was my efforts to get oxygen and keep moving forward. So it’s onwards and upwards, winter is not done with us yet!

Have a good week

Pam xx