Hi!!

I just wanted to say to all you cool runners that you guys rock! Really though, I come here all the time for inspiration and it's so exciting for me to read about your progress.

For me, I can finally run 5k which was my first (and possibly only) challenge. Unless I get to running outside and really like it, then I don't see myself really increasing the distance too much. I get pretty bored on the treadmill so I'm working on my time/speed for now, since I reached the 5k. Right now I'm doing the 5k in about 35 minutes so I'm happy with that.

As I've mentioned before, I'm still scared to hit the pavement but the temperatures have been so cold, it hasn't been an issue. Since I anticipate the weather getting warmer, I have a few "outside" questions.

First, for temperatures around 5 degrees C, what type of clothing should I wear? I have gym clothes and I'm not sure how much money I want to spend on clothing for this type of weather, but if I need to buy one or two things to give it a try, I'm up for it.

Second, for those who listen to Ipods while running, where do you put your Ipod? Arm band? Clipped to your pants/shorts? Waist belt? Since I've only been on the treadmill, I've gotten by with it just sort of sitting there, but I definitely need something and I've heard mixed opinions on the Ipod armband.

Thanks again everyone!

Running outside is sooooo much better than running on a treadmill, in my opinion. You'll probably love it. As far as cold temperatures go, I'm not sure what the best clothing is. The coldest temp I've run in is 17 degrees Farenheit, and I just dressed in layers. I warm up so much when I run (I do weigh 200 pounds, after all), so being cold at that temperature wasn't much of a problem. They say to dress as if it's 10 to 20 degrees warmer, but I'm not sure about that. I don't really know what 5 degrees C is like, because I'm a hopeless American who can't do metric conversions!

Anyway, as for the iPod. I use the armband, and I've had no trouble with it. In fact, I love it. I run the earbud thingies up through my sleeve and out the neck of my shirt. Works quite well.

Thanks for the reply Lisa. Since it's getting to spring, I expect the temperatures to increase in the near future. I just picked 5 degrees C but I figured that anything around that and above would be okay. 5 degrees is about 41 F. I know people run in all temperatures but I'm new and afraid and I really hate and am very sensitive to the cold.

Did you buy the Ipod arm band or some other brand? I was afraid it wouldn't be comfortable but maybe I'll give it a try and see. I don't imagine that it's too expensive.

Elisa, my two cents on the Ipod. Make sure if you are running with an Ipod you are running somewhere safe. It will distract you from cars, wild animals, and exhibitionists, all of which I've had close encounters with in the four years I've been running. Hearing something out of the ordinary can be your first line of defense. It can make the time pass, but safety is paramount for me.

Anne

I like to wear a moisture-wicking T-shirt under a long-sleeved shirt when I run in cold weather. I sweat buckets even in cold weather. Also, I wear shorts with pockets because my nose always runs and I need a place for a handkerchief plus another pocket for a cloth to wipe down the sweaty face. My Ipod sits in one of those armbands, too. Good suggestion about running somewhere safe, Anne, when you use an Ipod.

This jacket from the Running Room has to be the best investment I've made when it comes to running .... I can run in -10c to -20c (with little or no windchill of course) Underneath I layer a long sleeved moisture-wicking t-shirt and very light moisture-wicking jacket that DH gave me for Christmas... as it gets warmer I wear a short sleeve moisture-wicking t-shirt... It is true that you should dress like it's 10 - 20c warmer... at +5 or +10C , to me it feels almost downright balmy warm... I live in Cornwall Ontario which is very near to Toronto temps....and yes it has been waaayyyy tooo cold to run these days ....

I tend to wear a technical t-shirt under a lightweight fluorescent jacket when I'm running outside, although it's been a bit warm for that here recently so I'm considering ditching the jacket tonight. I have an ipod shuffle so I wear it on the lanyard round my neck (the old style ones, not the clip on new ones), but I only wear it for long runs where I need the distraction, on my shorter runs and particularly if I'm running in the dark I prefer to hear what's going on around me.

Thanks for all the great information and tips.

Ilene - thanks for the running room jacket link. It's nice to get a link to a Canadian store for a change!

And I agree about the Ipod blocking out the noise being dangerous. I know to start, I'll only run in the daytime and preferably without cars. I'm not far from the beach where there's a great boardwalk for running. Well, at least it's always full of runners but I don't know whether the boardwalk is actually good for the knees/feet etc. Since I'm still only talking about approximately 5k, I'm not too worried about that.

And I realized that I have to be careful with whatever armband (or whatever) I buy because I also have the Nike+ kit for my Ipod, which just means that there's a small attachment at the bottom that needs room to stick out. I'll check out the Apple store to start since it's their product.

Can't wait to get outside!

Yes I am too nervous about mountain lions to get an ipod. Occasionally you will see me "looking big and ferocious" when I hear a suspicious sound.

I have developed and internal ipod where I play the albums in my head. The only one that seems to last long enough is the soundtrack to Jesus Christ Superstar. OK I am weird I confess.

Jesus Christ Jesus Christ who are you what have you sacrficed. I have the whole thing in my head.

Hi!

Can I join you again? I tried last spring to do C25K but life and minor injuries got in the way. I'm on my way again, taking it slower this time, and am in the middle of week 2. I used to run a lot from 2000-2002, and then developed a severe case of PF which took months to clear up. Since then I've not been able to get my mind (or body ) into running again. I think this time I can though. I've signed up to walk a half-marathon in late June (15 weeks from now) but I'd like to run a good part of it, hence the restart of C25K. I'm doing the race with Team in Training for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, so there is some group training provided as well.

Right now I'm doing all my running on a treadmill, as it's way to cold (0 F today) and snowy/icy to run outside. It'll be another month before the sidewalks/bike paths are clear of ice. I much prefer running outdoors though. The boredom factor is high on the treadmill, even with an iPod.

welcome water rat!

Ran 4 this morning despite still feeling like death. I felt deader than death when I was done and my lymphnodes went crazy, but 3 ibuprofen and 2 cups of coffee later I feel back to just sick, so I guess it didnt hurt anything.

Just over 7 fast miles with running club today. It's definitely warming up, I think I might be buying some new running kit soon

Welcome water rat, and good to see you running again ennay.

Got up early today and ran 5.2 miles in the snow - the snowplow hit the jogging path about half way through so it got a little easier on the way back, thank goodness! Have I mentioned I'm ready for spring now?

Good thing I ran today, it makes up (a little) for a bit of overindulgence at dinner tonight. Went to an Italian restaurant for dinner in celebration of a friend's birthday, and shared an order of artichoke ravioli. Wow, was it good, but I don't even want to think about what was in the sauce. At least I only had a half order.

Good morning cool runners.

I ran just a hair under 4 miles today. Such a gorgeous day here. 45 degrees and sunny. Really perfect weather.

I am getting excited about going further. I hope to be able to run 10k by summer. I'd like to start inching my daily runs up to 5 miles. Not ready yet but maybe I can run 4 miles a day and a bit longer on the weekend. Go go go.

Welcome water rat.

YP thanks for the link to the downhill article. Unfortunately it was a subscriber only thing so I couldn't read the actual article but the web site did have all sorts of free articles that were fun to read.

Oh and I hope you feel better soon ennay!

back WaterRatPat

Had a great 7k run this morning in the -26c windchill, I dressed accordingly and wasn't cold at all