I really miss my weekly walks in the park, and it's not doing my head any good. (sigh)

I could snowshoe in the park, and/or use my treadmill, but it's just not the same.

Winter has been much colder than average. Today, a newspaper headline states "3 to 5 inches of snow today, coldest temps in 2 years to follow". The actual temperature, not wind chill, is supposed to be (gasp!) -15F to -20F. At those temps, my poor doggie has trouble completing his chores before his paws get too cold to walk.

Locally, today's (real name) Frozen Half Marathon was shortened from 13.1 miles to 6.5 miles, due to the weather.

Jeez, it's only -11F out with a -23F wind chill; what a bunch of wimps.(grin/joke)

Earlier in the year, we had two days in a row of -20F. Now that's cold.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sheltieguy,

I went out this AM. It was a rare, clear, sunny day in dreary Ohio winter. It was so invigorating, even though it was 0 degrees.

The only down fall was that I had on an extra layer (making for a grand total of 3 hats, 2 pairs of gloves, one hoodie, three long sleeve shirts, a pair of sweats, 2 pairs of running tights, a nylon running suit, and a scarf), so I was living my own personal Biggest Loser moment. You run so much slower when you're wearing 10# of extra clothing. It was a great run.

We are having this weird, creepy heat wave. I actually turned the AC on in my car yesterday for a few mins.

We are having our driest January in the history of record keeping. Last year was “dry” but this year is BEYOND dry. January is usually the wettest month of the year and we have had NO rain since a fairly small storm Xmas morning.

Before you get jealous and want to trade places... the TV news showed footage of fruit trees beginning to bloom 2-3 months early. Then if we get a good "normal" winter storm... the blossoms will all be torn off the trees... and no fruit that year. Which may affect fruit prices for all of us…

From today's newspaper, here is a really horrible weather related item:

"After Hayward, Wis., electrician Timothy Brueggeman froze to death while sleepwalking barefoot in his underwear Monday night, authorities were initially baffled.

"How in the hell can a guy walk out in 20-below zero and not wake up?" Sawyer County Chief Deputy Tim Zeigle said he asked himself. Going through Brueggeman's bedroom, investigators found a possible answer -- a bottle of Ambien."

One positive - it was sunny today. In the winter, that makes such a big difference to me.

I put on my gigantic down jacket (etc.) today, and was able to do some snowblowing without getting cold.

quote:

Originally posted by Sandy:

quote:

Originally posted by Coaster Girl:
I went and did my long run today,

Is it below freezing there? Ice covered? I just can't imagine going out here on a day like today.

You are one brave woman! Go girl. And be safe!

Windchill was about 21 degrees and dropping fast. There was some snow on the ground, but the U was cleaning it up as fast as they could. I have waterproof shoes that I wear in really cold and/or snowy weather and snow cleats for really snowy sidewalks.

Anything is better than any run on a treadmill, but this would have been 2 hours & about 10 minutes had I been out of options. That is just not acceptable in my world. Bring on the snow.

quote:

Originally posted by Coaster Girl:
I went and did my long run today,

Is it below freezing there? Ice covered? I just can't imagine going out here on a day like today.

You are one brave woman! Go girl. And be safe!

quote:

How cold is really cold?

I'll have a better idea come Thursday. I went and did my long run today, so I'm only scheduled for 5 miles Thursday AM. (See, Dr. K,...common sense at work. ) At school, I almost always have mostly clear sidewalks and no ice, so I always have a place to run. (And no excuses when I just want to be lazy. )

As of right now, I'm gonna go out. With an extra layer of clothing on top of my usual 2, full nylon running suit and three hats (with two extra hoods should I need them). And a scarf, to appease my MD who's at least a sympathetic runner when she's not asking about my lungs.

But just thinking of doing a 5 mile run on the treadmill makes me queasy. That's a LONG time to be stuck staring at the same two or three walls.

quote:

Originally posted by GoingSkiing:
...God, I hate running more than anything on earth,...

From School Gym Days, when I was The Fat Kid, I associate running with burning lungs and humiliation.

Besides, walking is way easier on the knees.

I draw the line at below 0 windchills.

I generally will go out in anything else unless it's icy. If there is ice, I do too much toe tapping while running to keep from falling and the run sucks.

PS Denise - if I waited for sun I'd never be outside : )

quote:

Originally posted by Sandy:
How cold is really cold?

I thought the same thing.

For ME… it also depends on other conditions.

I don't mind the teens or even like 9 degrees if it is dry and sunny and breezy.

But I've skied when it is snowing, wet yucky snow and the wind is blowing 35 mph (with gusts up to 70) and it is 28 degrees and I just can't get warm and it is FREEZING awful cold. I just don't enjoy frozen snot on my face and frozen hair that excapes from your hat and frozen condensation on muffler. I'll ski in it... but if I LIVED in it... I wouldn't.

But personally, I wouldn't want to go for a walk below like 10... AND sunny and dry. I also avoid ice at all costs since walking or skiing when it is dangerous and I’m in fear is neither fun, nor is it worth burning the extra calories.

And you couldn't PAY me to run outside in ANY weather, but that is a whole other issue. God, I hate running more than anything on earth, I think (not to mention, I just can't do it and not be in pain). Although, I'm totally happy to run in place or do step ups indoors, for some bizarre reason.

quote:

Originally posted by Brie:

quote:

I still go out and run in the really cold weather.

Amen sister! : )

How cold is really cold?

I am happy to run and walk outside when it's in the teens. Today the HIGH is 2. Windchills are 20 below zero. No way I would be out today- I used the treadmill at the gym.

The rest of the week will get colder...

I completely understand. Can you put booties on your doggie's feet to protect them?

I am also sick of winter. Bleah. And the basement is cold, so I even hate doing laundry!

Our winters have turned into a joke. We had snow and cold for a few days, everyone was out on the sea ice skating and enjoying the sunshine, and now... blah. We have +5C. No ice to skate on, no snow. Not having snow is good for walks (no slippery patches), but the snow brings light, and this black ground and the absence of proper daylight are really tough to deal with.

quote:

I still go out and run in the really cold weather.

Amen sister! : )

I still go out and run in the really cold weather. It helps I have two or three back up places to run when our snowy/icy sidewalks by my house are too treacherous to risk.

I'm planning to go run in the really cold weather like normal, but I do take extra precautions and wear lots of layers. I've also promised my DH that I will resort to the indoor track if it's too much for me to handle. But if I manage to do my long run tomorrow, before the worst of the cold weather hits, I shouldn't be out that long later in the week.

I've turned into a "running nut" who just can't stand being stuck on a treadmill for more than about 30 minutes, and that is not long enough to get in my necessary daily miles.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Coaster Girl,

I am so sick of winter, and we're not even a month into it (officially). We have had a LOT of weather variations--WAY too much rain and a good bit of bitter cold and wind. Still, we have had a much milder winter so far than what a lot of people are dealing with elsewhere in the country, so I'm trying to be thankful for that.

Now that I'm out walking a dog 4 times a day, I am REALLY feeling the winter weather and the dampness.

I have always struggled with the winter blues. I just want to hibernate all winter. I sleep later in the morning and go to bed early.

In recent years it actually hurts to breathe cold air; even in the summer when I go into a highly air conditioned building. My doctor thinks it is a type of asthma(sp?).

I hear you Sheltieguy. We've had so much ice this winter that you can't walk even if you want to, it is too dangerous. Actually one of our high school students (one who I knew and worked with some) died last week as a result of a fall on the ice.

We're supposed to get below zero too, but not that far only -5 or so....ONLY.

Dawn