I Thought I was a cold weather runner!!!

I always considered my body to be more capable in the cold than in the heat. I guess that's because my idea of a cold weather run consisted of temperatures close to Zero Degrees Celsius with perhaps a bit of light drizzle.

Well how wrong I was when I layered up for my FIRST EVER cold weather run. With thermal underwear, compression tights and cold weather tights on bottom, and 4 layers of protection on the torso, plus the 2 pairs of gloves and beanies (or touques as they are called in Canada), I was ready to face the weather. ( I also forgot to add the balaclava I had on under the beanie).

I stepped outside and paused, thinking to myself, "this isn't too bad". As I turned the corner however I was overcome by how cold the weather really was.

I arrived at the Gym where the Runners Choice Group were meeting as person by person trekked in all layered up to varying degrees. We had our stretch and talk and our bold leader John led us outside.12.5 Miles was the call for my run today(a huge run for me only 6 months ago). The go-getters settling on over 14 Miles.

We got moving and started our Trek as a light mist of snow blew into our faces. All the front runners, like the packs behind, were snuggled together to form wind breaks, at one point or another swapping roles to take the brunt of the weather. Small conversation was on the cards as I was welcomed with the prospect that with the wind chill, todays weather was -25 Degrees Celsius. That is Nuts.

Well the run was quite bearable. The moment in time when I spotted a port-a-loo along the trail was a magic one, and allowed me to relieve myself of the feast from the Mongolian Restaurant the night before. And instead of the planned 12.5 Miles, I ended up missing my turn and doing the whole distance. But probably the most amazing part of the experience was seeing the ice settle on peoples faces as saliva and snot froze to the face, and how I personally had to unfreeze my eyelashes from my eyelids.

Would I do this again? I think, with the right group of people and a smart route it is a definite possibility. But my solo runs during the week are going to be all indoors.