Ninja Warrior Needs Motivation

Another morning, another single digit temperature reading, sometimes minus.  The alarm clock goes off and I ask myself, “do I really want to do this? Do I really have to do this?”  I think about the amount of clothing I have to put on (starting from skin-panties, bra, insulation tights under thermal-windbreaker tights, long sleeved top, another thermal long-sleeved top, wind-breaker jacket, fleece hat, neck gaiter/Buff, gloves, socks, sneakers, ice trax, knee band, petroleum jelly on my face and lips and Garmin watch and sunglasses if the sun is up)–ugh, getting dressed alone should be worth a mile. I reflect on summer days, less than 5 minutes of dressing and out the door!

This Brooklyn Ninja Warrior is starting to loose her edge. Her f@#ks are becoming “fudges” or “fiddlesticks.” That my long-injured hamstring has been acting up does not help the cause.

I know that once I am dressed and out the door I will run.  I will run slow (my pace has been about a minute and a half slower during the last couple of weeks) and I will hate the wind on my face and feeling my fingers get numb, but I will run.

However, I do appreciate seeing the smooth snow on the river, ducks and geese waking from a frosty sleep, hearing the crunch of the dry snow under my feet and hearing various birds (mostly magpies) wondering why humans are out running in the cold, with neither feathers nor fur, if they have a choice of being someplace warm.

I need motivation, inspiration.  I signed up for an indoor triathlon (my first) so I started to swim and forgot how relaxing a good swim could be.  The pool is warm, but I still have to walk through the cold to get there.  And, I think the dreadmill would be a tedious, boring, less enjoyable option (and it would mean joining a gym. I cannot bring myself to paying about 80 bucks a month in Calgary when I was paying only 10 at Planet Fitness in Brooklyn and the gym was practically across the street.  Even on the coldest of days a couple of good f@#ks at the wind would get you there fine. With the gym distances in Calgary, you would need a whole lotta f@#ks to do the same job).

What do you do to stay motivated to run during long winters? What are other options besides the dreadmill? What are your warmest running clothing to wear–what do you swear by?

Coda: I just got back from spending a long weekend in Puerto Vallarta. Thought I would be remotivated/rejuvenated to run in the cold.  But no…

Petroleum Jelly

Growing up Jamaican in Brooklyn meant my mother slathering Vaseline (r) or petroleum jelly  (henceforth VPJ) on our faces during the winters.  It would not only make our skin shine, but protect us from the cold air.   Once I became self-sufficient and made my own decisions about skin care, I abandoned VPJ first for drugstore brands and then for the more pricier department store boutiquey stuff. However I have always had a jar of VPJ around for nostalgic purposes and never really used it until I started marathon training and found it great for lessening blisters and healing hotspots.  Now, with this winter running endeavor, VPJ has returned to its rightful place in my skincare as a wind, snow, etc. protectant.  It is probably the same jar that I have had for a decade or more, it doesn’t expire, right???

So, each morning, I check the temperature, wind chill and wind direction, layer up appropriately, slather my cheeks, chin, lips and eyelashes with VPJ and head out the door.

This past week I had a slow gear up to training as I was recovering from the Last Chance Half on Sunday.  Ran for twenty minutes on Monday, the warmest day at 22 degrees, and then again on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday–with the last two days in a light snow.

I like the quietness of running in the snow, the traffic sounds are muted and there is something zen about listening to the crunch of the snow underneath my snowtrax that keeps my mind off of heavy breathing and stinging cheeks (I am still trying to learn to breathe properly through the balaclava.  On Thursday I saw a lone goose on the path, could not tell if it was injured or wanted to get away from the others who were being rather noisy, but s/he wasn’t there on the way back.  I think the ones who migrate are passing through as they seem extra noisy and crowded during the last couple of weeks.

I thought to this post I would add some pics of what are becoming my standard running pieces.

Balaclava from Costcos

Running Room jacket–wind proof and water resistant, but relatively lightweight to wear over layers.

My favorite Targets Champion fleece lined shirt.  I love the neck coverage and thumbholes.  I have one in purple too that I left in NY for my runs when I visit home.  This one is a size L (I usually wear M but this was all they had left when I realized how much I loved the purple one) and I like the L better because it covers the butt and good for layering. It is probably about 3 years old or so.

These are the Sugoi tights, they are ok.  I like the reflective details and zippered bottoms, but I feel that the reflective seams rub against the thighs, I have not run long enough in them (yet) to see if I will get blisters.

Brooklyn Ninja with no f***s to give

My PPTC teammate allowed me to adopt that motto.  It was a comment on a picture of her doing the Frozen Half Marathon at 15 degrees, along the Shore Parkway, wind blowing off the harbor, balaclava, hood, and doing her badass winter running thing.  Similar to her I hate the treadmill but we depart with our love of running in the cold.  She is out there in all kinds of weather.

I remember doing a marathon training run with her on a damp autumn morning.  Rain was blowing sideways and I thought (hoping) she would have cancelled.  She came biking down Ocean Ave, tied her bike to the scaffold and off we went. One loop around Prospect Park and then down Ocean Parkway for the long, straight shot to Coney Island.  She seemed rather comfortable while I was freezing.  Damp and cold. By the time we got to the boardwalk, we still had about 3 more miles to make our goal of (I think) 13 that day.  With the sky looking quite hurricanesque we committed to touching each end of the boardwalk to make our mileage.  My wrists were numb and so was everything else.  Lisa left, I had one more colddampass mile. I finished, went for hot chocolate and my hands were too numb to stir the whipped cream.

So, now I run. In the cold. Not damp but cold and dry.  But because I run in the cold and I am in Calgary, I will wear my balaclava and be the Brooklyn Ninja With No F**ks to Give in Calgary (BNWNFGC).

Race Recap: Last Chance Half Marathon

The Last Chance Half Marathon is the “final race before everyone retreats to their treadmills” because it is effing cold in Calgary ya’ll.  So, I signed up to keep up with this winter running game and score another medal.

The first adventure (for me) was getting to the number pick up.  There were only two days and the hours of the pick-up to the location closest to me conflicted with my work schedule.  So I had to schlep all the way to Marda Loop on my bike.  I am still not quite sold on getting a car (although I am becoming slowly convinced) and pledged to rely on public transport and my bike for as long as possible.  So, I googled the pick up address, Strides Running Store, got my bike from the back yard and aimed southwest.

It was a relatively warmer 40 degrees when I started out, so I had on a t shirt, sweater and light down jacket.  Although I have a low tolerance for the cold, I tend to heat up rather quickly, so layers is always my option when doing something active, even walking a at a normal pace.

The thing about biking in Calgary is a hill.  I am situated in a valley alongside the river so in every direction, except the southeast, I must navigate a hill, a rather long and, at places, steep hill in order to get from A to B.  Not owning a bike since I was a kid, I bought a cheap, used bike on Kijiji in order to try the bike thing out.  I got a sturdy bike, good wheels and brakes, but the gears leave a lot to be desired so this means hauling (rather than riding) the bike up hills.  And for me this also means sweating–at the first hill I took off the down jacket.  I also realized that while the tires are good, they are not snow tires (to my surprise, yes, there are snow tires for bikes!) so at places where there was still accumulated slush, I slipped and slided on the bike, eventually wiping out.

I finally made it to the pick up but not before riding through quaint Marda Loop with modern houses designed to look almost like a New England town, brick facing and all.  Reminded me of some streets in Boston and Philly.  Cute. Got my shirt, number (number 1 because of my last name) so I am ready to run.

The morning temperature was 30 degrees to peak to around 34 sometime during the race.  I opted for my regular Targets compression running tights (light compression), my CEP compression sleeves under the tights, short sleeved tech shirt (in honor of, I wore my Brooklyn Half shirt) and Targets fleece top. I was planning on running in a lightweight long sleeve (also from Targets) with a short sleeved tech shirt, but when I left my apartment and felt the slight wind, opted for the warmer shirt and I was glad that I did.

The race itself was pleasant but uneventful.  There were a couple of icy patches and I felt some slippage, but not too much to navigate. Much of the route was along the river, first west, then turning to the east, before turning back west towards the finish. There was one point where the route was through a residential area and along the sidewalk, as it was an out and back loop it made for narrow running–both the out and backs were on the same side of the sidewalk.

The first part of the race for me was better paced than the second half, I don’t know if I am still getting used to altitude or if I need more endurance training or both.  But I finished.  Not my best time but a finished time. I am always content with a finished time.

The race finished with a brunch and I really enjoyed the fried potatoes and fruits.  I am glad that the temperature was “warm” and sunny because I don’t know how I would have fared had it been way below freezing as it has been for the past two weeks. Oh, and I got another medal.

The number had nothing to do with speed and everything to do with last name.

Temps in Flux

During my yesterday morning run, it was 9 degrees.  Today it was 32 with a slight breeze from the north, wind chill 25 degrees.  Over 20 degrees difference in 24 hours.  I am told that the temperature fluctuation can even be greater with the Chinook winds.  I am waiting for those to see what happens.

Some snow fell over night so it was a slushy run and I had neither snow tracks nor trail shoes, just my naked running shoes.  When I looked out my window, it did not seem so. Yesterday I ran with my trail running shoes and they felt a little hard and there wasn’t much snow, ice or anything on the paths.  Today was different with the light snow, and I felt a little slippy-slidey on some icy patches. However, I was able to wear less layers; my NYRR volunteer shirt from the Brooklyn Half, my fave Targets fleece-lined top, Targets compression tights and a PPTC buff and gloves.

Need to up my glove game

My past few mornings of running have been, well, cold.  Zero degrees on Monday, and 9 degrees on Tuesday.  Dry and cold.  However, Tuesday morning was sunny, and paying attention to my app I ran towards the west, which was into the wind and then back east, it made a huge difference in warmth, even though the wind was a gentle (but cold) breeze.  The sun definitely added some welcomed heat to my black balaclava and tights. As I mentioned, I notice what others wear on these cold mornings and a woman ran in the opposite direction with a slick parka, it was black and came slightly above the knees.  A good idea I thought as the parka might block the wind that pierces my thighs even though I have on fleece lined tights with wind-blocking panels.

Things I need to get: better gloves–my gloves are fleece thick mittens, however my thumbs still manage to go numb, especially when I carry water using the hand strap.  I need wind blocking gloves, but as I also use my gloves to sometimes wipe my nose there has to be some absorption.  Maybe tube socks over my gloves? (Back in the day before the proliferation of tech wear, I ran with thick tube socks on my hands in the winter).

Sunglasses–I noticed several people running with ski masks.  I need some eye protection because while the ice mascara is pretty, it is not comfortable.  Also the sun is pretty bright in the winter so to avoid squinting and for better visibility, especially with snow cover, eye wear might be a good investment.

Warmer socks–toes frozen.

Icicle Mascara

Minus 1 degree.  Minus 1 fecking degree said my weather app this morning. I googled running in cold weather just because I have not yet committed to memory what to wear.  This article always appeals to me because it has “less miserable” in the title.  So, following the advice for minus 10 to zero degrees, I put on three tops: an old Eastern Mountain Sports Polypro top under a Brooklyn Half marathon tech shirt, under my favorite Targets Champion fleece.  For the bottoms I wore two tights: my Targets Champion compression tights under the Sugoi fleece tights.  I put on my Running Room jacket, balaclava and another fleece hat over the balaclava. And mittens, always mittens. Because a friend warned me about frostbite, I slathered petroleum jelly on my nose and cheeks.

Headed out, the Canadian flag in front of my apartment building was still.  No wind, I thought.  Deciding to do and out and back, not crossing the river, I ran east towards Bridgeland.  The air was cold but gentle, there was still snow and ice on the ground, but I had on my Snow Tracks over my sneakers so I had traction.  I passed several other runners, when I do I scan them to see what they are wearing hoping that I am not being creepy.  One woman had on a light-looking down jacket, a ski mask and wind pants.  I left the x-ray vision home so was not able to assess the other layers. I felt like I was running a little faster than the other day, but the advice is to worry less about speed and consider winter running maintenance.  Fine with me.  I turned near the Bridgeland LRT station and the wind tackled me like I as a quarter back.  It was not a strong wind, but enough of a wind to make me feel like my cheeks were being stabbed by mini icicles.  I pulled the balaclava up to the bridge of my nose and when head first into the wind.  I had no choice, I had to get home.  After a couple of strides I noticed something strange out of the corner of my left eye.  Then I noticed it was getting harder for my eye to fully open.  Then I realized that icicles had formed on my eyelashes!!! I remembered the phenomena of “natural” mascara–gel mascara that was supposed to elongate and define your lashes without adding color.  Well, I got a similar effect for free on this morning run.

I felt the wind against my thighs, did not realize that my thighs blocked that much wind.  I finally made it back home, removed my damp running clothes and put the headwear and socks by the fireplace.  My thighs were a nice salmon pink and cold to the touch.  Time for a warm, steamy shower.

Spinning then Run

This morning I signed up for a 6:15 class at One Cycle, it was supposed to be a Butter Chicken/Jerk Chicken ride, but the Butter Chicken bailed because it is still snowing.  They will have the ride next Friday.  My friend offered to give me a ride to the class but could not get me back home because of getting her young kids ready for school in the snow (you know, layers, driving slowly, etc.). So rather than freeze while standing still and waiting for a bus, I opted to freeze while moving through the snow on a slog (slow jog) home.

The class was invigorating although I feel slightly uncoordinated.  I am used to the old-school spinning classes where there is a rhythm and instructions but it is not so important for everyone to be on beat.  You get the occasional “one-two, one-two” from the instructor but you could keep your eyes closed and ride as the instructions are simple.  The whole nouveau cycle experience is a whole new game–disco balls, blinking lights and the importance of everyone being in sync.  While I love to dance and take dance classes, I am not so great with choreography (I am getting better); I love to free-style. This cycle experience was somewhat like choreography.  However, I did get a good workout and was sweaty and tired in that rewarding way afterwards.

Sooo, it is still snowing (day 2 of steady snow), but I am told that since it is a drier climate the snow isn’t as dense as it is in New York.  There if we had two days straight of snow it would have been a blizzard.  Determined to run home, I changed out of my damp tights and put on my thermal running tights (the thermals would have been to warm for the ride and the gym tights would have been way to thin for the snow).  I layered up with the same items that I had on yesterday except I wore my Salomon trail runners seeing if they would offer a more traction in the snow than my regular Saucony Ride 9s and Snow Tracks.

It was still dark and about 7 degrees F when I left the studio, around 7:15, but rush hour foot and auto traffic was picking up.  Streets were in varying stages of being cleared, some were clear,  some were cleared earlier but since snowed over and others not cleared at all.  It was a slog through downtown Calgary, it was actually more challenging to navigate the foot traffic on the sidewalk than the car or bike traffic while running in the street.  The trail shoes did not offer the same traction as the combo of running shoes and snow tracks so I felt my feet slipping out from under me a couple of times, but thankfully I did not totally wipe out.

This was also my first time running the streets of Calgary as I am usually on the bike/running trail along the river.  It reminded me of my early morning marathon training runs through the streets of Brooklyn, except it was not balmy. The lights of the high-rises glimmered through the snow; the light, small flakes gently drifting in front of the traffic and street lights gave the streets a romantic feel–the clichéd holiday postcard scene.  As I left the downtown area and headed towards the river pathway, the streets were less illuminated, however the snow that covered the ground gave the sky a blueish-grey glow.

I made it home, a little less than two miles at a slow, almost walking pace–I had to stop several times for traffic lights and did not pause my watch.   I felt geared-up pretty well for the snow, the only change I would make is to wear my regular running shoes with the Snow Tracks for more traction.  My socks were not too wet, but it was only about 2 miles through city streets.  I do wonder if I will need Gortex or other feet water protection for future snowy runs.