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| It was hard to smile :-) |
Today I broke one of my guidelines for running in the winter this year. It was 12 degrees F, with the winds about 10 mph out of the NW. So it was rather balmy outside (around 0 Degrees F) and below my self-imposed lower limit of 15 degrees with wind.
I had to take the Ranger down to the Ford dealership to get the my bed liner installed and a spare microchip key made. While they were doing that I went for a run down on the rail trail in Augusta. I dressed properly and even brought my face mask, but I didn't use it.
I did try an experiment with my clothing though, I wore a cotton t-shirt as my base layer to see how it felt. During the run, I didn't feel a lot of difference, but once I stopped running, that is when I noticed the big difference. Even though it was almost zero out, I worked up a pretty good sweat and since the cotton t-shirt remained wet against my skin - I got chilled.
If I had slipped on ice or for some reason couldn't run to keep up my core temperature, running in a cotton t-shirt in this kind of weather could be dangerous, especially wearing only running gear. I was very surprised at how quickly that chilled feeling set in after I stopped, because my base layer wasn't transporting the perspiration away from my skin.
As soon as I got home, I had to change out of that cotton t-shirt, to get comfortable again. I hadn't really noticed this before today, about what a difference the technical fabrics do make, since I haven't run in a cotton shirt in the winter for a long time. Lesson learned.
The run itself was good and I purposely went up by the "Y" and the back way to Water Street to find a couple of hills.
Oh yeah, got into a bit of a disagreement with a dog owner who was letting his pit bull mix run free on the path. His comment "He's friendly", My response as the dog is heading straight for me and I have to come to a complete stop to see what the dog is going to do. "I've heard that before and been bit, there is a leash law" Him "F-you and a bunch of other stuff that I couldn't make-out" I was focusing on what the dog was doing, Me - "Hey, I'm a dog owner too, but your dog needs to be on a leash on the trail" Him - "F-you g-damned runner's think they own the trail and again a bunch of other stuff" Me - "Goto Hell".
I know I shouldn't have bought into his behaviors, but sometimes I get frustrated about this attitude that some people have about needing to leash their pet when others are around. Looking back 2 wrongs don't make a right and I am glad that I just kept going, instead of escalating the situation further.
I just kept running, but it just gets old when dogs are not leashed and look like they are coming at you. I have been bit by those "friendly" dogs and I just don't want another repeat performance.
Otherwise it was a good run and I learned a lot about why not to wear cotton shirts when running in the winter as a base layer.
Garmin Stats Screenshot
Shoes: Mizuno Elixir 7
Socks: Swiftwick Pursuit - My feet didn't get cold at all on this run very impressed with how well the merino wool blend works to keep my fee warm.
Top: Cotton CG Chief S/S T-shirt, Nike Orange Merino Wool L/S shirt, polar fleece vest
Bottom: Navy blue New Balance lined wind pants
Outerwear: Frank Shorter Running Jacket, HiVis Converta Gloves (not quite enough), HiVis Brook Hat, Red earmuffs
RunLog Screenshot:
Originally written by Harold Shaw and published at "A Veteran Runnah" © 2011-2013, All Rights Reserved. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Harold Shaw and A Veteran Runnah" with appropriate and specific directions or links to the original content.
