Ice Cold Running

I knew this morning’s run was going to be tough when the thermometer read 22° F. With wind chill in full effect, it felt more like 5° F when I stepped outside and got on the track. The breeze was so cold that it brought tears to my eyes for the first mile or so, making me wish I had access to a treadmill or an indoor running track.

I originally planned to run a 5k this morning, but considering how cold it was, I changed my mind and set out for a two-miler. Even though it was a short run, it was a really difficult run. Not only was I fighting the cold, but I was fighting a battle with my head the whole time I was running. My brain kept telling me things like, “Hey, man, it’s way too cold to be out here!” and, “Why don’t you just wait until tomorrow. I’m sure the weather will be much nicer tomorrow.” Try and keep up a decent pace while your mind is being dragged kicking and screaming around the track. It ain’t easy!

Getting My Mind Right

The real reason that I had such a difficult run this morning wasn’t because of the cold. It was because of all of the myths that I believe that keep me from enjoying running in such cold weather. A recent article in the New York Times, Too Cold to Exercise? Try Another Excuse, dispels some of the most popular myths about exercising in the cold.

It’s a great article, and I recommend reading the whole thing, but my biggest takeaway was that it’s never too cold to get out and exercise.

Dr. Castellani was lead author of a 2006 position paper from the American College of Sports Medicine on exercising in the cold.

“The big question was, ‘Is it ever too cold?’” Dr. Castellani said. “The answer is no. People go to the poles, people are out there when it’s minus-50 degrees, people do incredible things, and safely. There really isn’t a point where you can tell people it is not safe anymore.”

A Whole New Outlook

“It’s too cold outside” was the most effective excuse that I used against myself, keeping me indoors and on the couch when I could have been out running. With the knowledge that it’s never too cold, I’ll be able to enjoy my winter workouts a whole lot more. Come Friday morning, I’ll be on the streets bright and early, scoffing at the cold, and racking up the miles.