Running in the cold: It's all in your head

BIKE 70 mins and 21 miles, 3x12 mins (3min)
RUN 39 mins and 4 miles, commute to work in 2.6F temps

As for that .6 in the temperature, I'll take every degree I can get!

The bike was pretty standard, 3 aerobic intervals that got a little boring by the end. I measured the 2nd interval at 3.3 miles I think.

The run, however, wow, FREAKING COLD! By the time I walked the doggie I was already chilled and that didn't help. At less than 1 mile in my toes hurt and I was starting to wonder if it would be better to cut short the run and go straight to work! I could run stairs for 10 mins instead... nice warm stairs...this outdoor shit could be dangerous...maybe I should...

KA-POW!! Damn you Blerch! Ima running the full 4 miles as planned!

Here's what I wore starting from the top: tri club beanie, orange Turkey Trot beanie, black scarf wrapped around cheeks, Tifosis, Craft base layer, two tech long sleeves, purple wind shell, Mizuno fleece tights, second pair of tights, two pairs of socks, and the Cascadia 5's for their lugs and wind protection.

My body didn't warm up until 35 mins into the run. At the car I shed some layers and felt surprisingly good. A few minutes later my nose hairs hurt! And a bit later in the shower my toes were numb and an angry red color. Oh and my facial tic came back today!

I came to the conclusion today that cold running is all in your head. Our bodies are pretty amazing and can tolerate some crazy shit. I knew that within minutes of finishing I'd be warming up, and that within an hour the pain would be gone. I also knew that if my toes got really frostbit my body would cut circulation to them so as to preserve the rest of my foot. Like I said, our bodies are pretty amazing.

But to walk out the door willingly on a day like today to run? It's all in your head:

1. Pick a smart route that shields you from the elements as best as possible. Try to hide from the wind along buildings or walls; break up a long stretch into the wind by turning and weaving along the route; select paths that will be cleared of ice and snow so you don't have to run in the street or trip along the frozen ruts in the sidewalks.
2. Dress carefully, selecting clothes that can be moved or removed as needed. Like a shirt or jacket you can move to your waist or outside the wind shell, an extra hat you can pocket, a scarf you can pull up or down. Wear two pairs of socks, and if your shoes don't have wind protection use little baggies over your toes to keep the wind from breezing through the mesh.
3. Plan ahead with an "escape route". Just in case you do fall or get too chilled: carry your phone, don't run vacant side streets or lonely paths, and let someone know where you plan to run. If for some reason you do need to stop running, you won't have long before you'll get too cold in those clothes!
4. Know ahead of time the symptoms of cold that you can ignore, and the symptoms that it's OK to push through. Is that toe pain really a problem, or just uncomfortable? Have an understanding of how your body responds to cold and the best way to help it warm up again when you're done. 
5. Finally don't focus on the cold or get to involved with the discomfort and pain. Sure it's easy to think about how much your toes hurt, but it's not going to change anything! Focus on good form, the ice on the street, how far you've already traveled, and just how awesome you are for doing this. Let the smugness warm your soul, and if you can still feel your face be sure to smile at the people in their warm cars as they stare at you :)