Hello Negative Split! Move over, Speedy K!

For a girl who didn't really feel like running today, I kicked some serious ass!  It was fairly crisp out, but not too cold, however the chill motivated me to move at first.  Then, I was moving with ease and feeling really good, so I picked up the pace.  I did the first lap with my pup, but his elbow still isn't the same, so I left him at home after 1.5 miles and went back for more!  I was hell bent on getting my pace below a ten minute mile, and what do ya know?  I did it!  Move over Katherine, I'm coming to get you!

People often ask me what I wear to run in the cold weather.  Today was 40º and mostly cloudy.  There was a slight breeze, but not too windy.  I wore shorts, a tank, a light weight long sleeve and gloves.  At first I was cold, but after about half a mile I was just right!

BAM!

3 miles
29:51
9:57 pace

lap 1: 15:19, 10:12 pace
lap 2: 14:32, 9:41 pace

What Not to Wear

A friend of mine who has recently taken up running was asking about what I wore in the cold today.  I was already thinking I should write it down because I learned a lot about running in the super cold today.  I completely over dressed and was forced to stop and take off layers mid-way through the run.  Today's run temperature started off at 15º and ended at 20º.  There was little to no wind and it was sunny on all the trail we ran on.

What I wore:
powercore top
zip up fleece
first layer capri length running tights
powercore running tights
wool socks
inov8 ankle gaiters
fleece mittens
cotton neck gaiter
microfleece beanie
visor (of course)
trail shoes
microspikes

What I took off as I ran:
beanie
neck gaiter
zip up fleece
mittens (I took them off and put them back on multiple times)


What I should have worn:
powercore top + lightweight top layer
OR
lightweight long sleeve + mid-weight top layer
powercore running tights
wool socks
inov8 ankle gaiters
fleece mittens
ear warmer headband
visor (Always.  Except at night.)
trail shoes
microspikes

End of the World Run

Today when my alarm went off at 6:35am, I felt insane.  Why on earth was I leaving the warmth of my bed with all of my family sound asleep to run in the dark and cold?  I checked two different weather reports.  One said it was 23, but "feels like" 17 degrees.  The other said 19 degrees and "feels like" 19 degrees.  Any way you slice it the temperature was cold.  I layered* massively, drank a little hot tea and headed out with Ozzy and a flashlight.  Almost instantly I was happy I was running.  Today was a great run!  Despite the dark and cold, or maybe because of it, I felt alive and ready for an adventure. I did 7.6 miles with Ozzy, dropped him off at home and headed back out.  Although Ozzy could probably run 15 miles, I cherish the solitude and wanted that today.  15 miles felt easy and I've felt great the rest of the day.  Now, hoping seven miles tomorrow will feel equally great!

After the sun was coming up, it was still pretty cold.

Love that sunrise!

15 miles

2 hr 45 min

11 min pace

*What I wore today

Ear warmer headband (I don't like hats, they're too hot and I have lots of hair)

My visor (because I can't run without it!)

Neck/face warmer to keep my cheeks warm

Long sleeved technical shirt

Short sleeved technical shirt

Pull over fleece

Powercore running tights

Running shorts over tights to keep my other cheeks warm

Ankle gaiters

Fleece mittens

I was just right and actually took of the neck warmer after only a few miles.  After the sun came up I was starting to get a bit too warm, but as my run was nearly over it was no biggie.