Yep, apparently you can. According to Environment Canada, when I headed out for a run today it was -22C ( -7F ), with a wind chill of -30C ( -22F ). That polar vortex thing was at work again. Though can I just say that it seems to me “polar vortex” is just a fancy media term for a typical January cold spell? It is not like it is unusual for Ottawa to have these temperatures, or colder, at this time of year. I think we just banish the memory from our minds while we enjoy the warmer months and then suddenly find ourselves surprised yet again that yes, it gets pretty damn cold in this city!
Today I fell for all the hype and layered up more than any other day so far this winter. Out I went with two hats (one with a face mask), ear muffs, two long sleeve layers, a running coat, a running shell, long johns, winter running pants, winter socks and two pairs of mitts. Within the first 5 minutes I knew it was too much. In fact, I had to slow down my pace to avoid completely overheating. The irony of the fact that I was having the same problem as I do in the summer when the temperatures are 50 degrees higher was not lost on me. The only real issue I had with the cold was the fact that I had to make an effort not to blink too slowly in order to keep my eyelashes from sticking together.
Because of all the warnings, I planned on only running 2k. Instead I kept going for 7, stopping only because I was out of time (and hot!). The best thing about running on a ridiculously cold day? You can’t help but feel awesome at the end of it all. And I admit it, I love the look of awe on people’s faces when they realize you have run in sub -20 degree temperatures. When I complete my weekday runs I have to return to my workplace which is a school. The parents are outside shivering waiting for their kids to come out. They often just shake their heads at me. I like to imagine that they think I am amazing. I admit, however, that it is more likely they are just questioning my sanity, possibly even wondering if this crazy winter runner should be teaching their children. But it doesn’t matter because either way winter runs – even polar vortex runs – are awesome and worthy of some bragging rights!!!
Definitely worthy of bragging rights! It may not be colder than normal in Ottawa, but it certainly is here in NYC. I can’t remember a winter with so much cold and so much snow. I’m used to joking that NYC is “the tropics!” No more.
There definitely are some parts of the continent that are experiencing unusually cold temperatures! I think we here in Ottawa should be a little more used to it but a very Canadian pastime is complaining about the weather. Does Phil still have that Canadian characteristic? Six months from now the heat waves will be all we can talk – and complain -about! I can tell you though that while I will brave -30, I don’t even attempt +30.