Running Advent 2024

Tis the season for cold weather running; and every day

My running

Before I start actually training for a marathon in 2025, more on that later, I decided to do something again this year that I did last year: Running Advent.

It works like this. Run 1/2 mile on December 1st and then add a half mile everyday until you get to 6 miles. When you get to 6 miles you then subtract down a 1/2 mile every day until December 23rd. You must run the correct miles everyday. You can run more - you can't run less! You can't bank miles or make up miles, etc.

So I started my running advent on Sunday and ran 1 mile. I ran a mile because there is a loop in my neighborhood that is a mile and it was an easy run to do. Day 2 was a Monday so I did my normal 5K. Day 3 was 1.5 but I ended up with 1.7 because I don’t know the mileage in my neighborhood loop ;-). Day 4 will be more than the required 2 as it is run club night. But by this weekend the miles will start to stack (4, 4.5. 5, etc.) so I will just try and find a rythym and get past the meaty part of the curve.

What gets you about running advent is the consistency. Every day you have to run. No matter the weather or your mood or schedule, etc. This gets you in a mindset of just lacing up and running each and every day, to use a cliche.

Winter Running

Speaking of weather. It has been cold so that has been a bit of an adjustment. I was reminded that there is a big difference between 40 and 30 degrees. When it drops below 30 you feel it. Or at least I do. My face, hands and feet are the areas I struggle with. I have figured out the gear that keeps my core and ears warm, but it takes a while for body to generate enough heat to warm up my cheeks, hands and feet. Need to invest in more smart wool.

When I first moved to Granville and joined the run club I had very little experience running in cold weather. Way back like seven years I ago when I started with Couch to 5K I hated running in cold weather. In fact, I think I had to restart once because I gave up running in winter.

What I finally figured out is that you have to be a little chilly when you start running or you will overheat and be uncomfortable once your body starts to generate heat. It took my a while to figure our what worked for me in terms of base layers, outerwear, gloves, etc.

Toboggan hats don’t work for me for example, as I sweat too much. I use headbands that cover my ears but let some heat escape. Mid to high 30s or low 40s and I have running gloves that work. Closer to 20 or below that and I have some nice puffy mittens. Mentally knowing I can run in cold weather makes a big difference.

What I am Reading

Woah, that is a lot of words about running, so how about some Reading. I often have a fiction and a non-fiction book going at the same time as I find reading non-fiction before bed means less retention.

My current bed time reading is The Capital of Dreams by Heather O’Neill which comes out in January. I was able to get an advanced reader copy through NetGalley. It is a dystopian fairytale about war and family. I am not sure what to make of it so far. It has a unique voice and I am eager to see where the story leads. I will report back when I am done.

A Book Should Read

Let me close with a book I recommend, also about war: Ukraine: Remember Also Me: Testimonies from the War by George Butler. I had recently met with some officials from Kharkiv for work and so when I saw this at the local library I was drawn to it. The stories it contains are not easy reads but they are important stories that remind us of the horror of war and the brutal realities of those trapped by it.

The illustrations add a unique element and help tell the stories in their own way. As I said, sober reading but important.

Feedback Please

I would love to get some feedback from readers so shoot me an email or leave a comment about what you want to read about here or what you have been reading or running lately.