For the month of January, I’ve committed to posting every day, having accepted the 30-day challenge.
This is day 23 of 30.
… not really too bad, considering it’s January in Chicago and the entire mid-Atlantic region and East Coast are buried in an avalanche of snow. So, look what I did:
Yes, that would be a run. An OUTSIDE run. I decided that since we had a nice weekend on tap (meaning: no snow, over 25 degrees outside and very little wind), I would get out and hit the pavement instead of the super cushy treadmill that I usually spend quality time with. And you know what? It wasn’t too bad. It also wasn’t nearly as comfortable as running on my treadmill, but still, not too bad.
What did I learn?
- I need new winter running clothes because I have very few that fit and are serviceable. I wore a pair of winter tights today that, frankly, had anyone looked to closely would notice that they’re looking a little see-through. I used them anyway; figured anyone else who might be out braving the winter might appreciate a little entertainment.
- My lungs don’t like running the cold as much as they used to. This was never an issue back in the good ol’ days (you know, when I was tough and always ran outside), but now I find that once I’m done I spend the rest of the day coughing and not being able to breathe too deeply.
- Running outside during the winter makes me feel badass, even though it really wasn’t too awful out.
- Even with little to now snow on the ground apparently ice still exists. Not that my butt hitting the ground is any indication of this.
- In a case of obvious overkill, I had FOUR different devices tracking my run. I was wearing my Garmin, I had my Fitbit in my pocket, I had on a Withings Activite watch and I started Runkeeper on my phone. It’s the belt-and-suspenders method to making sure I have a record of the run? I’m such a nerd.
- I really don’t sweat any less when it’s 25 degrees out than when it’s 75 degrees out. I think I’m getting to that age, ya know?
Regardless – I got out and felt proud that I did. I’m still not the gung-ho, go outside in any weather runner I used to be, but I think it’s good for me to brave the elements more often than, say, the once a year that I had been doing it. Builds character and all that. Plus, it feels like a more accurate way to measure my progress.
Anyway, I have two potential cold weather races coming up — one at the end of February, the other at the end of March — and so I might as well find an outfit that works (and doesn’t accidentally violate public decency laws).