You've been pretty vocal about how much you hate the cold in the past. I find that if one goes into an experience expecting to hate it they'll usually end up being right. Are you really complaining about temps in the 60s because honestly, that's pretty much still shorts and ss jersey weather.

yeah, i am complaining. i think i either wasn't remembering or not thinking clearly because i packed FOUR shorts and THREE sleeveless tops. WTF? i didn't expect to hate this - i just really didn't think it would be that bad. i thot the sun made appearances (yeah, almost 2 days here and i'm already complaining that there is NO SUN???? yeah.) blowing. my. mind.

my girls are in HEAVEN. cousins! grandparents! cats! FREEEZING weather. :) dog is LOVING the cats.

if i didn't have to train i think i wouldn't complain....aw hell, probably i would. i mean it is FREEZING. and if someone would turn the sun back on i'd really appreciate it.

now i'll shaddup. (but don't hold me to that because likely it is a lie)

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Wow. Good job you don't live in Alberta.

Good luck. 60s isn't freezing...it's 25 here in NH and I'm headed out for a few hours on the bike. Gonna be great if I can just keep my water bottles from freezing. It's sunny though.

just dress properly for it and it is great

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Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
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Love your post. It's all relative.

Isn't there a thread for this already? That 'cry like a...

It's not the weather-it's what you wear in the weather!

Funny thing is I feel the same way when I'm in the really hot/humid parts of the world. We're right around freezing today, the sun is shining for the first time in more than a week. Just digesting lunch, then I'm off for a run.

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Munq

Stanley makes a thermos mug that clips into bottle cages. It's the bomb for winter training. Hot tea/coffee 3 hours into a sub 30 degree ride is a game changer.

Ha! Cold! Not even close.

If nothing else - you'll appreciate what you have even more.

Some hold the theory that in wintery (and, I mean snow - the white fluffy stuff :-) ) locations endurance athletes get a chance to work on their base and get tough for when the weather allows then to re-insert speed into their training program.

I really love the feeling of a 10 mile run in fresh snow when its like 10 below (I can do with-out the wind). Kinda neat knowing that you're capable of working out under a variety of conditions. I think the same thing when it's approaching 100 (I do well in the heat too).

It's all mind games (and warm clothes!)

Happy holidays

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I saw this on a white board in a window box at my daughters middle school...
List of what life owes you:
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2. __________
3. __________

I was born and raised in Southern California, spent a few years on North Carolina then lived in central CA for 11 years. Didn't own a pair of gloves until I moved to Kansas City 11 years ago. I didn't know what running in the cold was until I signed up for an April Marathon. After a 16 mile treadmill run I learned to embrace the cold. I've developed thick skin over the last few years. Last week I ran 5 miles in 25 deg F weather with only 1 layer on my legs and 3 layers on top, 2 of which were thin tech shirts. I had a thermal cap, mainly to cover the ears and fairly thin running gloves. Smartwool socks are great!

I now wear nothing but a t-shirt and shorts down to about 50-55 deg F. Down to 40 deg F two layers on top, still shorts. Below 40 I'll usually cover the legs with 2-3 layers on top.

You get used to it over time.

I still haven't tried cycling below 40 degrees F. Guys are riding around here at 25 deg F going 20+ mph, I'm nice and cozy on the trainer or in spin class.

Our friends up north run in below zero weather and probably ride in those temps too so my skin is still relatively thin comparatively.....

I still prefer the heat, I'll take a 90+ degree run over a sub 20 degree run any day.

The one good thing about running in the cold is that I can run 13 or so miles and not have to bring hydration :)

Start the day off with good cardio warm up, technical clothing and you're golden.

However I think that cold weather, cold water (to a point) has anti-inflammatory properties that are really beneficial.

So for example, Canadians, Norwegians build really dense, tough muscle fiber from a young age, working out and recovering in the cooler climates. I also believe that training in cold is great for cognitive workout by increasing blood flow to the head area. (The temp sensors in the head ask for more blood flow when they chill)

Humans are faster when warm, no question, so move these athletes south and you are highly competitive. This is certainly a trend with water-skiing. A lot of great skiers, are from North US, UK, Canada, Sweden etc. more than you'd expect. But the best performances or records are laid down in Florida due to the best conditions (water properties, climate).

so embrace the cold - think of it as altitude training!

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yeah but i'm the most specialist snowflake....

so who knew? you guys want insurance before you let a person in the water. so i need to join your masters organization i guess.

put on my niece's tights, a hat, bought $3.50USD gloves at Target and wore those, and 2 long sleeved dryfit like material tops and i survived a 2-hour run. nothing came off. needed the hat, gloves and both tops the whole time. i took the hat off for maybe 5 minutes when i tricked myself into thinking the sun might come out and it was getting warmer. but it wasn't. tops were soaked with sweat and thanks the gods for that material so i didn't freeze my lady bits off. so i guess it is possible to survive training in this weather... :)

this afternoon we're off to bring son #2 to teh compound as he will have 9 days off. first time we will have seen him since August. that is going to be so sweet!

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http://harvestmoon6.blogspot.com
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katasmit

I was too warm this morning on my long run here in Santa Clara. Shorts and a light top, but drenched in sweat just 30 minutes into the 2+ hour run. I would have welcomed a little rain.

However, this dampness is not good for my biking. Fortunately (or unfortunately) there is the trainer.

just a bit north of you and i got some little sprinkles. i saw a lady with a sleeveless top and shorts today. i think i might have left my jaw back out there on teh trail.

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http://harvestmoon6.blogspot.com
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katasmit

As others have mentioned, the SF Bay Area is quite mild compared to lots of the US. I've been out here 15years and never needed more than toe covers, knee warmers, and a rain jacket for even the worst days. Running never requires more than a long sleeve tech tee. You're probably highly heat acclimated, but will adjust in a week or two to the new environment.

It's warmest at about 3:00PM (mornings are always cold...even in summer here), so schedule your workouts then if you can. Also, we've been getting unseasonably high rainfall the past few weeks, but that's coming to an end...so the SAD will fade; hang tough. Also avoid OWS, the water is freezing here year 'round.

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ECMGN Therapy Silicon Valley:
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Listen carefully and you'll hear make one of those condescending snorking sounds through my nose - HA!

I'm in Canada, just did a wonderful 5Km run. Sweated a lot though. New Treadmill! But, have been out running within the last week. I don't like slippery conditions but as someone said before, running on some nice hard packed snow is great. Like you'd find on a country road after the trucks have packed it down. And, your traction on that is great. When the temps are around the freezing mark and they throw that shit on the pathways to melt it, that's when it is way too slippery for me.

Unfortunately, they close the outdoor pools during the winter. But then they'd freeze if they didn't so I suppose that's OK.

You can purchase studded tires for your bike and during this time of year most folks use their winter commute bikes.

The only real issue is the lack of light. Sun doesn't come up till 9:00 and then it is pretty weak and sets by 4:00. But, that's all going to change now as the days start getting longer.

At least where I live, I get to see the sun in winter. We pay for it with colder days though. But, we don't have the muggy grey crappy weather that chills you through the bone. Give me a nice -20C day and bright sunshine (or colder - down to -30C is OK). But, as it gets colder, your sweat freezes and you may want extra insulation for Lady and Man bits!

Embrace and enjoy the change.

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BC Don
Pain is temporary, not giving it your all lasts all Winter.

Ditch the 2nd layer on the top. If you are drenched at the end of your run, you are wearing too many layers. Keep the hat and gloves but if your gloves are drenched at the end of the run you should take them off after about 5 minutes.

High 60's here in Miami Beach and sunny.....seen several guys running at the boardwalk in wool binnies and gloves.....

Hi Kathy. I totally sympathize with how you're feeling, coming from a tropical country. Once did a fatass run (walk) with 3 layers of thick clothing, gloves, beanie, mufflers and couldn't stay more than 30 minutes at a time in the evening without having to retreat to the car with heater on. All the while, other runners were in shorts and sleeveless shirts zooming along comfortably. In Arizona. Not even considered a "cold" State.
In my latest tri, it took me 5 days to get used to 22C daytime and 12C nights, which was summertime for the host country. Competitors from Japan (a really cold weather country) and Taiwan were wrapped in thermal blankets during the run and quite a few racers had to be brought to the medical tent for hypothermia.
On the other hand, I think a lot of participants in IM Malaysia said it was incredibly hot and humid, and I just shake my head.
Right now it's 30C at noon and 16C evenings in our place. Coldest ever this year.
As the others have said, it takes a little time to acclimatize, but each place has its own beauty and wonders if you look for the half full glass. Have a great holiday season!

Kathy, where in the States are you originally from (I assume you are a Yank that married a Mexican national?)? It must be one of the southern states if you think SF is "cold".

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Moved here from Texas, and it's kind of a pain to have to layer up for 50 degree weather (if you have to ride before business hours in the morning). The trade off of having two months of cold weather ala Austin versus ten months of cold weather morning riding is looking kind of even at this point (after more than ten years of living here). Also, double razor fenders on road bike makes riding a lot more tolerable around here in the wet, keeping both shorts and shoes mostly dry if it's not actually raining, though good luck finding anyone else using fenders so no drafting.

And here I was looking forward to 37 degrees in Detroit tomorrow.

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