Friday:
I carried my running gear to work every day this week in the hopes that I would feel well enough to run. Finally by Friday I was ready to get out there! It was a sunny day, and I eagerly kept watching the temperature on wx.ca throughout the morning. Finally around noon it climbed to 0 deg C. Score! Technically Friday was a rest day, but considering I’d done nothing but rest all week I was itching to get out.
I know a lot of people that find that temperature downright chilly, but 0C here in the sun is amazing! I took a chance and went out in capris, a short sleeve tech top and a long sleeve tech top. That’s it. In the sunshine with minimal wind it wound up being the perfect amount of clothing to wear. I was testing out a long sleeve top from lululemon, the Run: Swiftly Tech LS. It is a really lightweight top with silver fibres woven in the fabric so that makes the shirt anti-stink. The hem is nice and long on it and I definitely appreciate the extra coverage as I often find most tech tops a bit on the short side. I loved it! My old short sleeve underneath was stinky but the long sleeve top was in pretty good shape. Kind of pricey for a tech shirt, but I really did like it. The run felt good, and it was great to be outside.
Saturday:
I had a 1:15 long run on the schedule, along with a swim. I have a new motto: “Embrace winter!”
It was –12C out, but luckily the sun was out. My approach to running in the cold weather now is to note the temperature, figure out what to wear, but don’t stress about it! I put on tights, a long sleeve tech shirt, a midweight layer and a jacket. I started out from downtown and headed west along the north side of the Bow River. Just as I headed out I ran into my friend Kevin who was just finishing up his long run. He and his friends were covered in frost but he assured me that it was beautiful out there.
As I started along initially my fingers were a bit cold, but it wasn’t too long before the digits warmed up. When I got going I really felt like I could run forever. Now…a 1:15 run is on the borderline for where I carry water and fuel with me. Ahem, turns out I probably should have carried it with me on this run. Once I turned around things started to feel quite a bit tougher and the final mile turned out to be quite the slog. I had crossed over to the other side of the river by this point and the pathway was in the shade. The wind was whipping through and it was the only time that I felt really quite cold. Luckily it wasn’t too far back to the YMCA from there.
I hustled inside and quickly ate some cottage cheese and fruit. By the time I was done with my snack I was pretty cold so I opted for a really hot shower instead of going for a swim. I may have to figure out a new plan for my run/swim combo while this cool weather continues!
Sunday:
It was time to get on the bike! I had a just over 70 minute workout that included some steady state intervals and some hill climbs. Something on my bike is making a noise. I couldn’t figure out the cause so I’ll have to pop into Bow Cycle a bit early before spin class on Tuesday to get it sorted out. The workout went really well and my legs were tired! After the workout I hopped off the bike, did some lunges and squats, ran through some core work and that was it!
I’m so impressed you went out with capris at 0 degrees! I am okay with pants/tank/tech tee in that weather but I couldnt bear capris! Thanks for the review on the Lulu – have to check it out, I’ve been in the market for one as I’ve just been borrowing my hubby’s Underarmour ones for the longest time.
“Embrace Winter” I like it. In fact, I have absolutely followed that motto the letter this year ;P
I’ve been eyeing both the long and short sleeve Run:Swiftly…so soft…so pretty…glad to hear they also get the Leana seal of approval 🙂
I kind of feel like I have no choice but to embrace winter- although I can often be heard telling myself to “man up” as I hear the internal “but it’s coooold” whine in my head after work.
I keep bringing my workout clothes along in case I’m able to squeeze something in after work, but it hasn’t happened yet!
I want to start replacing my clothes to those with antistink fiber. I offend myself most days 🙂
i like how you speak of these cold temps like no big deal, springtime weather 🙂 shhyeah right! yeah, 0C/32F isn’t that bad… but i dunno about capris and just a longsleeve!
glad you are feeling better and got in some solid workouts over the weekend.
Good to see you back at it and feeling better! Nice job on the workouts.
I’ve been wanting to try Lulu running gear – that looks & sounds like a great top.
Leana, you’ve got that can do attitude! You are hot on the path to Iron!
Capris in 0C—you’re nutty! I’m such a wimp when it comes to the cold, pretty sure it’s b/c I grew up in california. Anything below 60F is cold to me.
I like “embrace the winter” for me it’s embrace the rain i.e. suck it up!
Sounds like you got some great workouts in this weekend.
PS My husband’s family vacation is officially booked for 2011, we’re coming to Florida and I’ll be slogging through the Goofy Challenge =).
0 C is about my cutoff for shorts. I missed the window of warmth on Friday and by Saturday morning was definitely below the cutoff.
Sounds like you are over your bug and have stored up energy for your recovery just don’t push too hard.
“Embrace winter” I like it. And I’ll start trying, once we get done with this snowstorm that’s pushing through the area.
Nice job on the workouts!
I’m totally impressed by your chipper winter attitude. I still can’t believe you wore capris in that weather though 😉
I’ll have to try out the Lululemon top! I, however, have to agree with the masses. Capris? EEK. I’m a fair weather runner who bundles 🙂 Hopefully my tendinitis in the foot will be GONE soon!!! No running makes a grumpy Moe.
oh, http://www.rungirlrun.ca has some great soft running long sleeves!!! SO comfy!!!