How I Run When It is Cold

6:24 am - Bundled up and ready to run!


6:32 am - Running at Lake Eola in the twilight


6:45 am - Halfway through the run at dawn


6:59 am - Home stretch at sunrise

It was COLD (less than 40º) and windy this morning, but I sucked it up and ran anyway. I considered going back to bed or doing yoga instead, then running at lunch or after work, but I knew that was even less likely to happen. The truth is, once you have the right gear, running in the cold is easy.

I'm so glad I got out and ran, because it was a gorgeous morning. I loved running at twilight and seeing the sky change colors. I had my point and shoot camera with me, and I kept stopping after each loop to take a photo because the sky looked amazing (see photos and timeline on the right).

I wore a TON of layers (you can see some in the first photo):

• C9 cold run tights 
• C9 fitted bootcut pants
• Nike Pro Fitted short sleeve shirt
• Pearl Izumi seamless arm warmers
• C9 full zipper jacket with hood
• Pearl Izumi wind breaker
• Nike Lightweight Running Gloves
• Brooks Vapor Dry 2 Headband
• Brooks Vapor Dry 2 skull cap
• C9 baseball cap

I wore the hood from the jacket over the baseball cap singed tightly under my chin so it would stay in place and keep my neck warm. I know that's a ridiculous amount of layers, but it was so cold/windy that I didn't shed any of it -- except unzipping the windbreaker a few inches and removed the hood.

I really enjoyed this run, and it was over before I knew it. I ran 3 miles in just 33 minutes, for an 11:07 min/mi pace. That's faster than I planned, but I didn't feel like I was pushing myself. I probably ran faster to get it done quickly and get back to my warm apartment. :)

I'm constantly amazed at how much running has changed my life for the better, and the amazing world it has opened up for me that I never even knew existed.