22F? Bring it on!

A few days ago I told myself that I would go for a run outside when it got back into the 30s, but the weather just hasn’t cooperated. I really wanted to go for a run yesterday, but the forecast of 17F with a wind advisory kept me inside for my elliptical/weights routine. This morning it was 22F, but no wind chill, so I decided to bundle up and head out.

I wore my heavier running tights and a medium-weight top under my super-light Brooks jacket, my light-weight Brooks gloves, my fleece Nike hat, and a scarf:

I also got to test out my “new” (refurbished) Garmin.

It definitely felt *brisk* outside, especially when I was just walking to warm up, but it really wasn’t bad.  I did my “usual” 4.5 mile loop and my average pace was about 9:50 min/mile. I think the dark slows me down, because I run faster on my Saturday long runs when I usually wait until its light outside. The Garmin worked well, except the “virtual trainer” was on, so it mostly displayed my pace as compared to a “virtual partner” running an even pace of 9:40.  Needless to say I came in behind, but he didn’t have to stop for traffic or dodge icy patches!

In December I like to listen to my Christmas playlists. I have one just for running with faster songs from artists as varied as The Blind Boys from Alabama, Harry Connick, Jr., Louis Armstrong and Elvis Presley. It’s so fun to listen to while running past houses lit up with their holiday decorations.

Speaking of which, I really love my Nike hat.  It has a built-in pocket for an iPod Nano (the “old” rectangle style) and earbuds inside the hem.

I think someone should make a summer model with a pocket and ear buds tucked into a sweatband for all those races that ban headphones. :-O

Last night and tonight errands took me to my old neighborhood (we moved last summer), and I found myself feeling really “homesick” for my old running routes. It was the perfect neighborhood for running. We lived 1 mile from the bike path, where I could run south for a short, hilly route, or north for a more varied route. There also were plenty of flatter neighborhood routes to choose from. Now I live in a neighborhood that’s tucked between busy roads and every direction has at least one “heart attack” hill.

How cold is too cold for you to run outside? Do you have any favorite gear?

Do you have old running routes that you are “homesick” for?