The temperature on Friday was not as low as they expected it to be but was around-5C at 07h00. It was still at -4C after 08h00. I managed my regular 7km loop in around the same time as usual (37 minutes). My Saturday run was warm in comparison with the temperature gauge in the car on the way to the start point showing only 0C. That 10km run was icy and so a little slower than normal at just over 54 minutes. Some sections of the locks on the Saturday run were frozen over, the first time I have seen that on that stretch of the river. I was tempted to take a plunge into the river, but I think my running mates would just no understand that desire - not yet anyway.
Always looking for running mates that would understand the need to take a quick dip in ice cold water and continue running - any takers?
My weight seems to be relatively constant nowadays - hovering between 65.5Kg and 66.6Kg, depending on what I have been eating and drinking. I normally weigh myself directly after my run and shower so the timing each day is consistent.
A day-by-day diary of experiences and experimenting with cold water toughness and few bits of other stuff too like my running regime and getting fit.
Showing posts with label -5C. Show all posts
Showing posts with label -5C. Show all posts
Sunday, 5 December 2010
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
How Cold is "Too Cold"?
My second day in Germany it was already -12C when I woke up (I put the thermometer outside my bedroom window!) and the wind was blowing too. I decided that this was a little too cold to venture out in just shorts and trainers (this was before I wrote my previous post and had decided that even in extreme cold I could do short “out & back” runs without putting myself at risk) so I stayed in bed. Call me a coward if you will. Next time I will run even if it is -20C and I only cover a 300m out and back run.
The third day in Germany it was quite a lot warmer (-2C) so I ventured out and did 3 sequential out and back runs. The first and longest was around 2.5km - I was still warm after that so headed off on another 2 shorter out and back runs with a short interval just lying on my back making a snow angel at the side of one of the fields. Total distance covered it turns out was about the same as the first day but I was not nearly as cold at the end of it. As it turns out I think I could have done the full circuit and more without a problem but I wanted to play it safe rather than being a little stupid like I was on the first day there when I totally underestimated the intensity of the cold and the effects of the wind.
Come the following day and I am back in the UK. A normal 7km run in around 40 minutes with my running partner. A break over the weekend and then another light flurry of snow overnight Sunday with cold temps meant a -3C start to my run on Monday morning. But what a great run. Just the right temperature so as not to get too cold and running with a partner in case of difficulty. A better time too of around 38 minutes. No run today but planning to do a longer 10k run tomorrow, hopefully with a short 2 or 3 minute dip into a local pond on the way back. Depending on how early I start running and on how many people I see out there, I may even try to run naked in the more secluded part of the wood. Wait for my next post to find out.
A couple of questions for any of you out there that are actually reading this:
1. What is the coldest temperature you have ever run in and for what period of time?
2. How were you dressed when you ran in the cold (naked; trainers only; trainers and shorts, trainers, top and shorts; trainers, full track suit hat and gloves)?
Please let me know your answers in the comments section.
The third day in Germany it was quite a lot warmer (-2C) so I ventured out and did 3 sequential out and back runs. The first and longest was around 2.5km - I was still warm after that so headed off on another 2 shorter out and back runs with a short interval just lying on my back making a snow angel at the side of one of the fields. Total distance covered it turns out was about the same as the first day but I was not nearly as cold at the end of it. As it turns out I think I could have done the full circuit and more without a problem but I wanted to play it safe rather than being a little stupid like I was on the first day there when I totally underestimated the intensity of the cold and the effects of the wind.
Come the following day and I am back in the UK. A normal 7km run in around 40 minutes with my running partner. A break over the weekend and then another light flurry of snow overnight Sunday with cold temps meant a -3C start to my run on Monday morning. But what a great run. Just the right temperature so as not to get too cold and running with a partner in case of difficulty. A better time too of around 38 minutes. No run today but planning to do a longer 10k run tomorrow, hopefully with a short 2 or 3 minute dip into a local pond on the way back. Depending on how early I start running and on how many people I see out there, I may even try to run naked in the more secluded part of the wood. Wait for my next post to find out.
A couple of questions for any of you out there that are actually reading this:
1. What is the coldest temperature you have ever run in and for what period of time?
2. How were you dressed when you ran in the cold (naked; trainers only; trainers and shorts, trainers, top and shorts; trainers, full track suit hat and gloves)?
Please let me know your answers in the comments section.
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