Culture Shock

Today marks the first day I ran outside in Calgary. Actually, I went for a run yesterday but it was so cold I lasted less than 10 seconds, so I don't think that really counts.
I piled on the layers and braved the -4C weather. But it was sunny rather than snowing, which made it feel nicer. I wore the gear I reserved for Australia winter running...long, light jacket and long yoga pants. And then I added in a bulky toque and mitts to Canadianize myself. Note to self - I may need more cold weather running gear!

When I last lived in Calgary I was most decidedly NOT a runner. So the only running experience I've really had is in Australia.
Ignoring the weather difference, one thing that really surprised me was the running culture difference. In Brisbane I would make efforts to greet my fellow runners/walkers as we strode past one another. I would say this was met with about a 30-40% chance of having a return greeting, and the occasional deer-in-headlights-are-you-talking-to-me-you-crazy-person look.
Here in Calgary, I would say that 80-90% of my fellow morning exercises offered some combination of a smile, wave, head nod, or friendly greeting as we crossed paths. And no one gave me the deer-in-headlights-are-you-talking-to-me-you-crazy-person look.
I got to a red light at an intersection and stopped to wait...only to have the car stop and wave me ahead of him! Thinking it was some ploy to run me over, I cautiously waved thank you and darted across the street in confusion. Yep, the driver was definitely wanting to forego his green light to make sure that my run wasn't interrupted. Weeeeeeiiiirrrrd. And also kinda wonderful.

I decided to keep my first run short and sweet, aiming for between 30-60min. At the 5min mark I realized I was bored. I missed my social runs!
At the 10min mark I realized something else: I was really, really unfit. I may have the mentality of a runner, but I have the fitness of...dare I admit it?... a jogger.
I turned around just over 15min into the run and I jogged home.
But on the way back a small miracle happened! I crossed paths with a friendly running group. As I saw them, I felt my shoulders lift, my foot turnover increase, and my heart rate pick up in hope. I joined in with them and fired them with questions. Where are you from? What group are you with? When and where do you meet? Can anyone join? What sort of distances/paces do you do?
They happily filled me in on all the details. Helllloooooo, running group! The ice has [sort of] melted, the days are [getting] longer, and I can layer up against the cold. It's time to reunite myself with the social joy of running.