Marathon Training – Week 2 – Winter running

12/02	XT	60 min pilates class
13/02	6 miles	Speedwork: 2x1600m (w 800m jogs) in 8:02/8:11
14/02	XT	60 min pilates class
15/02	-	Rest/Travel day
16/02	5 miles	Easy run: avg 11:01 min/mile (-9C, High Park)
17/02	-	Rest day
18/02	10 miles	Long run: avg 11:36 min/mile (-11C, Toronto lakeshore)
Total	21 miles	YTD: 116.5 miles

I was in Toronto this past weekend and had my season’s first (and probably only) taste of winter running. The first of the weekend runs was an easy 5 miler on Friday in High Park. I set out in the late morning at -9C and immediately discovered that running on the north side of any street is preferable since more sunlight means clearer, dryer sidewalks. Normally I like to run on the trails in the park but on this day I stuck to the sidewalks becuase they were clear. I had a great time running by the outdoor hockey rink (shouldn’t those kids be at school?) and through the High Park zoo. Who knew they had bison and elk in there?

On Sunday morning I headed out for a 10 miler under a clear sky and a temperature of -11C (12F). I ran down to the lakeshore hoping that the wind wouldn’t be too bad and that I’d be able to find some sort of a trail to run on. After a few dead ends I did come upon a narrow trail that had been packed down by other runners and walkers. The footing wasn’t perfect but it was decent and it kept my pace moderate. I had a beautiful view of downtown Toronto (beautiful? Toronto? that sounds like an oxymoron coming from an Ottawa girl) and tried to embrace winter. I do miss snow living in Seattle. I was warm and comfortable until mile 8 when I stopped to take a gel and some water. I’m not sure if it was the short walk break, the 180 degree change in direction of if I had just reached my limit because from that point on my fingers were numb. Luckily the last 1.5 miles were on clear city sidewalk and I was able to pick up the pace and get home quickly to warm up. My last mile was done in 9:27!

All in all I was quite proud of myself for toughing it out and running in the cold. It’s not easy and I have the utmost respect for people who are able to train consistently in cold, snowy weather. I imagine that many if not most of my fellow Ottawa marathon participants will have trained through cold Canadian winters. That’s commendable in my books.