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Baby, It's Cold Outside! Ok, for me, not you.


So, I am pretty sure I will not have something to write every day that I want to share, but I feel this overwhelming need to just state once again how much I hate to run in the cold. For me, this weather is COLD (47◦F)! To some, it is perfect- what they have been waiting for the whole year after experiencing the heavy muggy hot weather that dominates Houston, Texas,

Two months ago, I started running twice a week with my friend who lives in a different subdivision. The trail we run outside her subdivision is a smooth round loop that is about 1.5 miles around.  I like to meet her there because the trail has an easy surface and a nice view that is a welcome break from my normal running routine.  Since we run early in the morning, we get great glimpses of the moon and often see deer drinking water from the pond.

My friend has a natural fast pace, so running with her has improved my own pace as well as given me a changeup in my running routine. Plus, we just have some great girl talk and professional women discussions too. This morning though it took my lungs forever to acclimate to the cold air I was breathing in, much less talk. Thanks goodness she carried the conversation while I tried several breathing rhythms to help relieve the bite in my lungs, but nothing was helping immediately. If it wasn’t for my goal of averaging six miles a day per month, then I probably would have just given up and asked her if we could speed walk. Instead, I chose to sip water from the fountain and walk about a ¼ mile until my lungs felt they could handle the chilly air.

The good thing about having a RELIABLE running partner is that they will help encourage you over these humps. Had I been alone, I may have been able to convince myself that it was ok to walk or stop and find another way to meet my goal later. However, knowing she was there and that I had committed to run with her made a huge difference in my choice. Her encouragement helped provide me with the mental fuel to override my physical discomfort.

Right now, it is warmer outside, still a little windy, and the temperature is supposed to be in the 70’s, but I don’t buy it. It feels colder.

Since I am done with my miles for today, I am ok to not chance the wind chill which will cause me to hock up some loogies for a long time. I hate that! However, had I not completed my goal before most people had started getting ready for work, then I would be out there pushing myself past cars, trucks, and some significant surface changes along with fighting the cold wind!

I will not be like this for long. Eventually, I will get used to training in the cooler temperatures but for now it really is not any fun at all; and turning my alarm clock off and not going back to bed when it is cold outside is becoming more of a challenge than it usually is without the cooler temperatures. I have come to expect it at the start of every cold season, but that doesn’t mean I still don’t b*tch about it. Haha.

My mantra for today: When it gets hard, run harder!  

Total miles so far: 16.2. Tomorrow, I will try to run 8 more.
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