December 2008 finally ended and I can proudly say that I’m still running. More determined and for longer then before. This month’s total sum is 97.8 km (~60 miles). The reason for lower number of kilometers is because I dropped one running day. I’m now running only four times a week instead of five.
I dropped one running day because I replaced it with a game of badminton every Monday afternoon. It seems smart to combine different activities to make sure you train different muscles as well as not to get bored of it. I also love it that @andraz is always eager to play badminton and there is no hassle in organizing this. After a month of playing badminton, I can say that I’m getting better at it as well as being in a better shape for it. Lots of quick, short distance running around the court.
Overall December was a great month, with my first running event where I’ve seen how great running in crowd is and that I really should participate in these events as spring starts.
Other notable events
- I managed to run my first 10K (that’s km). It’s incredible feeling to be able to run this far in just 3 months of light training.
- Running in snow during winter was a great adventure, teaching me that there is really no reason to be afraid of it. Temperatures around 0 degrees, are actually warm and really enjoyable for running.
- My last run of the year was on 31. December, at 7pm in -8 degrees (17.6F). It seemed crazy but it was probably the most incredible training of the month. Streets were totally empty with just lots of fireworks going off in the distance, making it somewhat unreal. Since it was a very dry week there was just a bit of cold no ice on the streets so it was a great 7.5km run.
Random observations
- Breathing while running is getting easier. Googling around reveals that the more you run, the more your body figures out the best running rhythm by itself an it took about 3 months in my case for that to develop.
- Adding some Myrtl strenght routines to my training as welll as other sports probably helped me in running longer distances.
Frequently asked Questions
(people ask me all sorts of random stuff)
Q: Isn’t it too cold to run / don’t your lungs hurt after breathing this cold air / don’t you get sick?
A: Suprisingly not. While -8C was a bit interesting experience for first 2 km, it was a normal run afterwards. It’s only annoying if there’s a cold wind blowing, otherwise it’s fine. I don’t feel any pain in my lungs or having a cold (I’m very allergenic so my nose is always runny, but I’m not sick).
Q: Do you use any special winter running shoes?
A: I’ve looked into it and while they’re nice, for now my normal running shoes are giving me more then enough grip to make it work. I also like running in them and I’m afraid of buying something I won’t use.
Q: Aren’t you afraid that you’ll ruin you running shoes sooner because you’re running in rain/snow/mud.
A: Based on what I’ve read I’ll have to replace my shoes every 600 – 1000km anyway. With a running tempo of 100km per month (hopefully 200km soon) that’s about 6 months anyway. I’m comfortable with throwing shoes away 3 months earlier if that meant I had a few good winter running months.
Q: Do you wear anything special to run in this “cold”?
A: Nothing much different from 6C. I’m usually dressed in skiing underwear + training pants, with a fit dry t-shirt and long sleeved fit dry short over. Since it’s cold I add an anorak jacket. It’s really much warmer outside when you’re running then you’d expect from just walking outside or using public transportation.
Closing observations
I’m slowly changing my running into a general do sports 5 times a week goal, with running as a default fallback if other plans don’t happen. In January I’ll add ice skating to the mix, until the streets get dry enough to allow for running once again.
Earlier reports:
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Odli?en zapis!
Jure, congrats on your running achievements – It's nice to read that someone has such enthusiasm about a positive change in his life.
But I have to add something that is not in your favor:
As an experienced cyclist, I can state that running (for recreational purposes) in temperatures below -5°C is total stupidity. When you are running or cycling in these freezing temperatures, you put your lungs under immense pressure to absorb the cold air that u are breathing – this can cause long term lungs health problems.
Plus – your joints can't warm up to a core temperature, that allows it's natural “lubricant” layer to function properly – this type of abnormal joints behavior (if repeated sequentially) can also cause long term problems with your ankles and knees.
I'm not a sports doctor, but I happen to be a good college of Mitja Tancik (Domžale) – personal trainer and long time competitor in world class mountain bike racing
Thanks Tomaz, that makes a lot of sense. I'll refrain from running in
temperatures below zero as I'm afraid of icing anyway.
Jure, congrats! i'm thinking about starting, too! I found out my running season must not be just 5 months a year because since in the winter I observe a lack of energy and my body is not fit! At all!
Great post!
thanks!