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Running with Rhyno: Debating if it is too cold to run outside

I looked out the window with trepidation.
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I looked out the window with trepidation.

The sun was shining. Tree branches were still. Both signs, it was a perfect day for a winter run.

Just off his bike, my rosy-cheeked colleague Jeff Stokoe, came through the doors.

Is it cold? I asked.

Now Jeff as you may know is a sometimes runner turned Crossfit geek but he still knows my true meaning when I ask Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥“ should I run outside?

Runners embrace the winter season differently than most people.

Some of us run in -25 C or colder with the windchill because Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¦ yes we are that dedicated. Others like my friend Amanda Skinner will run outside AND run laps at the Collicutt Centre.

You might have seen her recently. A few days last week, she ran 84 laps. Talk about dedication. 84-freaking-laps. Are you impressed yet?

Anyway I digress Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¦.

Often I walk around the newsroom mumbling to myself and checking the weather app on my iPhone. ItÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s a daily debate. My other non-running colleagues are useless. (I mean that in the nicest way.) My caring coworkers are worried that my lungs will freeze or I will get frostbite.

Jeff not so much. He rides his bike every day to work so heÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s the perfect barometer. On Tuesday, I had packed my track running gear so I could zip over to the Penhold arena for some laps (not 84).

But after chatting with Jeff, I threw caution to the wind to run my favourite 5-km loop around the Bower neighbourhood.

So out I ventured out into the dark, cold winter night.

I bid my colleagues adieu as I wasnÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t sure if I would ever be coming back. My winter shoes and my balaclava were at my house. IÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™m one of those runners who has to run straight after work or I wonÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t run at all.

Fortunately I always have a few bandanas in my car and office so my face was somewhat covered for my run.

I was more worried about slipping on the ice and twisting an ankle as my road Altras did not offer much grip.

I didnÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t have to worry as there was at least a foot of snow on all the sidewalks and even more on the trails. Bloody hell, I cursed. When was the last time the sidewalks were cleared in Bower?

Why havenÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t I bought a treadmill yet?

Cursing aside, I shifted my mindset and embraced the snow. Hey. I thought. This is a great strength workout.

Eight kilometres later, I had scaled a few snowbanks and successfully navigated slippery sidewalks.

Run completed.

Find Running with Rhyno on Facebook and @CrystalRhyno on Twitter. Send your column ideas, photos and stories to crhyno@reddeeradvocate.com.



About the Author: Black Press Media Staff

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