Cold Weather Running

With Old Man winter knocking at our door today, I thought this might be a good time to address running in the cold. I've been running for nearly 14 years and back in my younger days, running the cold wasn't a problem. As long as I had a warm top, hat, and gloves on, I was good to go. Traversing the streets in 20 degree temps didn't bother me at all. That was then, this is now. At 46 I've become a bit of a wimp and don't have nearly the tolerance for the cold stuff I once did. In fact, anything under 60 degrees and I'm heading for the gym.

Still, I own cold-weather gear like Under Armour tights and sleeves, toboggan hats, and winter gloves. They're gathering dust as it's been a while since they've been effectively worn. They get some use once in a great while when I feel like venturing out. Those days are fewer and farther between.

I envy young guys running in my neighborhood when I watch them brave the frigid mornings as I'm on my way to a hot cup of coffee prior to work. At one time, I was one of those hardened few that could stand the test of the chill. Someday, a few of those young bucks will be just like me. Shaking their heads at twenty-somethings slogging in ankle-deep snow in the name of fitness.

So, for now, I'll stick to running on warm days or hitting the treadmill whenever the temp drops below an acceptable level for me. It'll be a while before I regularly run outdoors, but I can't wait for that time to come.

And for the record...I did run in the cold today. It was from my Jeep to the front door on my gym after work. Boy is it freezing!

Happy running!


TFR

Welcome

After quite a lengthy lay-off, The Fat Runner is back. I'm back with new stories and experiences, hoping readers will join me in discussing our favorite subject--running. My new and improved blog features updated colors, backgrounds, and--more importantly--running specific features. Prior to taking a break from blogging, my posts were getting a little...how do you say...dry, dull, boring, and way too politically opinionated. When I created Confessions of a Fat Runner I did it to create a place where runners could talk about all sorts of running topics. That never really happened and I left feeling pretty disappointed. So, I'm taking another shot at it and we'll see what happens.

In the two years since my last post, I've had some amazing running experiences I can't wait to share. My new focus for this site is to have a variety of topics and features on subjects ranging from training, nutrition, favorite runs, and shoes and gear reviews. I'd also like to encourage any of my readers/follow runners to join in the fun by commenting and giving me feedback on the topics presented. Tell us about races you've done, places you've been, etc. Periodically, I'll be doing reviews of running books, sharing my thoughts on them with you.

I hope this blog will become THE source for runners to share ideas, experiences, tips, and stories that will build a stronger sense of community on this site.

Well, here goes...the first post of 2011 in the revamped, hopefully improved, "Confessions of a Fat Runner." God bless and happy running!


TFR