Saturday, December 20, 2008

Can you see the cold?

Well normally you can't 'see' the cold but when we get days like today where the air temperature at -15C (5F) and colder with the windchill creates a seafog over the warmer ocean, you might be fooled. This is nothing compared to the Deep Freeze that Garry has been enduring in Alberta with a high of -20C over the last few weeks!

Of course my wife thinks I'm crazy to be running in these conditions but I consider it a personal challenge and have only been forced to admit defeat on a handful of occasions. Not today! With adequate preparations and multiple layers of clothing I was actually quite toasty and even added an extra mile on at the end to get a nicer number for the week.

Same general location a few days ago where the temperature could be -30 or -3C (which it was) but you can't tell one way or the other. Pretty shot with the brilliant blue sky I think.

Running has been up and down all week with low mileage runs alternating with even lower mileage days. The numbers for the week go like 17, 0, 7, 3, 6, 4, 8=45 with 0 speedwork and all at a recovery pace on icy and snow packed roads.

For some strange reason the hams are coming around. It might have something to do with the low miles, the daily stretching of perhaps even the visit to the physio office on Friday. I sat in the waiting room for 1/2 hr before the receptionist came out and said there was a mixup and I couldn't get in till next week. The leg has never felt better since! The two runs have been pain free and I'm thinking I should go back for more no-therapy no-pay sessions. Maybe I can now actually look at my plan and start to train for Boston once again...

The 100 Pushup Challenge continues with Week 6 (level 1) which for some reason is easier than the Week 5. Friday's session for day 2 of the week was 'only' 8 sets with a total of 151 and a max of 46 at the end. It was tough but do-able and a big improvement from a month ago.

That's all for now. Have fun with all the Christmas plans and celebrations but be careful at the same time not to overdo it! Take care out there!

8 comments:

Keith power said...

Mike suck it up, Angelina & myself ran this morning @ -27*c without the wind chill factor. But as anyone will say runners are just not that bright!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hello Mike. First time I've been by your blog. I haven't been running in temps that you, Keith and some of your readers have run in but I commend you guys for it. The pics look beautiful.

Sometimes, where I live, I would like to see one day here like what you guys experience. The runners here would appreciate it a little more. We had four days this week where the teps were 30F-40F (wind chill in the 30s). I loved it where many of my running friends can't stand it.

Anyway, continue your running success. The marathon times look good! Take care and Happy Holidays!

Andrew said...

I can see it.

Thomas said...

I can see it too. I can even feel the crispy air in that picture.

Grellan said...

I Can feel the cold as well as see it after reading your post. Great photos as usual.

Glad to hear that the hammies are healing.

Dubs said...

BURRRR!!!!

DawnB said...

i can feel it :)

Ewen said...

Yep, that's cold!

I think I'll take today's 29C for running and a dusting of dust over a dusting of snow :)