Given up
Feb03201212:57 p.m.
As some have mentioned, the weather has taken a turn over the last few days and it looks like East Anglia could get a blast of snow this weekend, but certainly the temperature has plummeted. Looking at some photographs across Europe and when you see the snow in Athens and the incredible cold that is in places like the Ukraine at the moment you realise how lucky we are having that bit of water all the way round us.
And so it has come to pass that I have had to give in to the call to abandon shorts and go with leggings. Ran for an hour yesterday morning, 30 out 30 back, and it was very cold so leggings, jacket and gloves. Must have a few degrees to go yet because I didn't feel the need for a hat as well.
Though we don't get the extreme temperatures of some parts of the world, the general climate can make it feel very cold here. From my days as an "Artic warrior" in the forces, I regularly worked out of an air base in Artic Norway and a general winter day was normally about -10 to -15 degC. Admittedly we wore clothing that dealt with it really well but I can't remember it feeling as cold as when it hits zero in the UK. Night was a bit different when it might drop lower than -30 or so you could only work effectively for about thirty minutes before having to get back in shelter to warm up for another stint.
So long runs at the weekend look as though they will all be in leggings for everybody, and perhaps trail shoes to keep a grip in the snow. And how well have bright green and pink jackets sold this year? Really easy to spot runners out in the country areas this winter.
Enjoy the weekend and enjoy those long runs.
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Comments (12)
simonedumergue 'Oh my goodness, I haven't even been on RB for about three months - let alone actually posted myself... great to see you are still running John - and yes, I succumbed to full length tights, hat and gloves today for my 15 miles while it was -6 degrees - and in my bright pink jacket for those country lanes... I see the heart issue is still knocking around. Not stopping you though which is great. My Uncle is 68 and he has bad atrial fibrillation and has had a few surgical interventions. Hasn't stopped him posting half marathon times that people in their 20's would be proud of and he recently won the 1500m title for NZ Masters for his age group. He loves his running so much that he has decided to carry on as normal. Keep on running and keep warm x' added 3rd Feb 2012
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Firefly123 'Phew John! I read the title of your post and thought you'd had to give up the running! What a relief to know it's only the shorts that have been temporarily retired! I have to say that I've been in leggings for a while now, although I do occasionally wear a short-sleeved t shirt.' added 3rd Feb 2012
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Nick 'It must be serious for you to be out there in tights! Hope it doesn't get too cold for you this weekend!' added 3rd Feb 2012
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Petecw29 'Oh John not the tights? I'm still sticking with the shorts for now but who knows what will happen this weekend!! Keep on running mate!' added 3rd Feb 2012
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malcolms 'I'm definitely a wooly hat man. ' added 3rd Feb 2012
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Shaun 'No, how could you give up on the shorts!' added 5th Feb 2012
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judith 'Keith wore shorts and I wore tights today. No snow here just fog and ice. Good to keep running though.' added 5th Feb 2012
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moose10 'won't be long and you'll be back to the shorts, no snow down here just the normal rain' added 6th Feb 2012
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HellenH 'My shorts will not come out until May John! ;) And i have a rather fetching large green bobble hat (with a fish on the front-my dads-it keeps whats left of my brain warm!) Glad you are still getting out there - even in these freeeezing conditions :)' added 6th Feb 2012
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runnerbarbie01 'Loving the fashion tips for the cold weather running. I hate running in a hat but also succumbed this weekend and had to slip on the merino beanie. Well done on the running, sounds like it is all coming along very nicely - long may it continue' added 7th Feb 2012
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Alaistair 'For a couple of years used to pride myself on staying in shorts...in hindsight running tights are the sensible option. Gotta hate them though nonetheless!' added 12th Feb 2012
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SeanG 'How cold was Saturday! Had to wear my tights for only the 2nd time this year yesterday (and 3rd time today!). No matter where you go, its always seems colder (for the same temperature) in the UK!' added 12th Feb 2012
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