Winter Haiku

I ran four hill reps

I was dressed so very warm

That I was not cold!

The Winter Experiment: Part 2

After last week's mild medical drama, I felt considerable trepidation about running in winter once again!

The weather: -4C, overcast, minimal/no wind
The layers: 2 on the bottom, 4 on the top (of which I used the thicker variety, not the thinner variety I tried last week), a fleecy buff, and gloves.
Missing gear: none

The group was doing 9k, but I had a previous engagement so could only do about 5-6k. I ran out with the group...it was a BIG group of runners! Around 20 of us, although I didn't count. We ran through the ravine. I was nervous how my summer running shoes would hold up on a trail run, but they did great. Minor slipping when I pushed off the ground, but nothing I couldn't control. I was feeling fit and fast and - maybe not warm - but comfortable...a great way to feel! I ran with the group until the second walk break, or about 2.8k, then turned around on my own and ran back to the store.

It does concern me, slightly, that I layered up to such an extent I was confident I would be shedding layers before the end, but in the end I remained comfortable in what I had on. This concerns me since it was a relatively warm [-3C] winter day. What on earth will I do when it gets to -20C? "Stay at home" seems to be the obvious answer...

The Winter Experiment

Day 1

The weather: -10C

The layers: 2 on bottom, 3 on top, and a buff

The missing layers (and yes, I mean MISSING. Like a young lover misses her boyfriend when he travels abroad): fleece, vest, gloves, nose warmer (does that exist?), and a headlight

The planned distance: 3k

It started off cool, breezy buchan-easy! The path was dark, but clear of snow and the snow made things bright. I felt really good. I even made a new running friend and found out we have a lot in common! Things were going great. We were chatting, all excited to learn we worked in the same circles and

                                BAM!!!

                                                          I got hit by the metaphorical truck.

In mid-sentence, my vision went dark, I stopped being able to breathe, and my body was torn between throwing up or passing out.

I grunted out an apology for my sudden silence, then focused on feeling better and breathing through it.

I got worse.

My eyes started watering and my legs started wobbling.

We were about 1km in. One measly, tiny little km in. And we weren't even going fast!

I told the group I had to drop off the pace as I felt sick. I debated briefly whether to follow them, then decided I should turn around and let them catch me on the way back.

Once I feel better, I told myself, I'll start running again.

But I didn't feel better. I just got colder and colder, but the throw up vs faint battle was still raging in my body. I made it back to the store through a mixture of a walk and a stumble-jog. I was really missing my nose-warmer. Not that I have one - I'm not even sure that's a thing. But it would've really come in handy tonight.

I made it back to the store and drank some water until my body recovered, and drove myself home (I did leave a message with the worker there to let my group know I had made it back safely).

Time to re-evaluate! I'll have to work out what happened. I've been outside lots in the cold before. Skiing, snowshoeing, walking...I have never before responded to the cold in such a way. And I don't think I can blame lingering jet-lag, as I went for a run (on the treadmill) Monday and felt fine.

There is a part of me that wants to throw in the towel, throw on my warm snugglies, and hole up inside until spring.

But there's another part of me that is scientifically - perhaps even morbidly - curious to find out what happened. And what will happen if I try it again.

Of course, next time, I'll be wearing some extra EXTRA layers! Especially in case I need to walk back once again.

ADDENDUM: Since initially writing this post I've spoken with some work colleagues (a nurse and a dietitian) they have theorized that the cause of this was from my being cold, which resulted in a drop in blood pressure as my body sought to keep my internal organs cold. Thus, it was a simple case of my blood pressure dropping abruptly. As a person who suffers low blood pressure, this theory makes sense to me! I'll have to watch for that next time.

Slow by Feel; Fast by Numbers

I ran a 10.4k long slow run with the group. I took every walk break, and I kept my pace comfortable. The group was small and I started off in the back of the pack, feeling pretty good and enjoying the conversation. But after the first walk break (when the group reconnects), I found myself with the faster group. I wasn't too worried; I would drop back if/when the pace became uncomfortable.
I never dropped back.
By the end I was surprised to look at my watch and see my pace was sub-6 minutes...varying between 5:30-5:50. I know a lot of runners are going to shake their heads at me and say,"but Laura, that's not a long SLOW run! That's a long, FAST run for you!"
However, I will respond to my unvoiced critics that I was talking in complete sentences the entire way as I carried on a conversation. And I never felt short of breath...okay, that's a lie. I felt short of breath when I went up some of the short, spicy hills that peppered our route, but I recovered quickly.
This year has been a long road back to fitness for me, which I suppose makes sense since I'd taken about 18 months off running before restarting in May. But it's so exciting that I'm seeing consistent improvement from my frustrating, injury-riddled runs over the summer.
Now it's going to be about keeping up my motivation throughout the cold, dark of winter...

Hidden Gems

We ran an "8-9k" for a long, slow run. The group was large, the day was brisk, and the trail was...stunning.
Winding along a pathway bursting with red, yellow, and green leaves, we came through the thick bush into a wetlands reserve. There, we ran along the boardwalks for a bit before turning back. I felt fit and fast, which is a nice way to feel! I kept with the front group, which consisted of 5 runners including myself.

Total distance: 9.4km
Total time: 59.47min
Average pace: 6:22min/km

It was a bit fast, considering that the pace accounted for our 1min walk breaks. The faster group always runs a bit longer, as during our walk breaks we turn to walk backwards with the goal to reconnect (as much as possible) with slower runners. The entire run I felt fit and strong, which is always a great way to feel.

I hadn't run in that area before, but it was definitely a gem of a running route, especially at this time of year, with the leaves changing colours and many species of birds gathering to fly south. One of the most scenic runs I've done in a while! One of the joys in running is finding those little hidden gems in the neighbourhood.

Comfortably Uncomfortable

A 4-ish k with the group (we ran a total of 4.4k).

There are a lot more people in this round of clinic: enough to split into a fast/medium/slow group. I joined up with the medium paced group. The way out was difficult: I was tired and felt unfit. I ran with a group that - fortunately - also felt the same way. We ran single file in such a way that we were close enough to be considered "running together" but far enough apart not to bother with talking. After the first km we even took turns naturally surging ahead and leading the pace. It was companionable in its silence.

The second half of the run was where I really hit my stride. I was uncomfortable as I pushed myself - a small stitch in my side and heavy breathing kept my thoughts from wandering. But I found my rhythm in that gentle push, and in that rhythm, peace filled me. It's hard to explain that feeling when you find inner peace from a challenging exercise - I can't say I get there all that often - but I was so settled and comfortable in my discomfort that I decided to ignore the second walk break and run on to the finish. I didn't have my fancy Garmin watch, but apparently I was at a sub-6min pace. After so many weeks off running, I'm pretty satisfied with that time. But more than the time, it was a wonderful feeling to find that centre of peace during a challenging run.

Aaaah! Relief!

I returned from my multiple week hiatus and rest period (due to bursitis in my knee) and joined in with a group doing “4k”. I debated to go that far, but decided to give it a try! We went on a new, exciting route which took us up a big long hill and through the community. Well, new for me, but a typical route for the rest of the group. I took the pace nice and easy. But – huzzah! – no injuries the entire length of the route. Time to step it back up a little bit! After running so many weeks battling a minor injury, it certainly felt lovely running injury-free!