How Cold Is Too Cold?

Whether you're in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, or Colorado, you're probably thinking, "It's too cold right now!" I woke up this morning and looked at my phone for weather information, and it was 6 degrees. I've piddled around a little while, and looked again (the sun is shining!)... and it's now seven degrees. Woo hoo!

Anyone who works out in this type of weather knows that if you gear up right, you're fine. Really, it's true! Yesterday when I went for a quick run, I bore the usual litany of admonitions from my mom. "Oh my god, honey, you can't run in this. I just can't believe you do this. You are going to freeze out there. It's just way too cold for you to be out there." And it went on until I was out the door... not to take away from the good feeling you get when someone loves and cares about you! :) (One of my first blogs was on falling and hitting my head *hard*. http://comojanine.blogspot.com/2008/12/ice-ice-baby.html So with snow and ice, caution is needed!)

Anyway, what really prompted me to write this is that Amos is now running with me most of the time. He's up to four miles! So yesterday, as I was getting all my gear on, he took the cue and started to get excited. It was 14 degrees when we struck out. Usually, when it's this cold, I put sandwich baggies on my feet, over my wool socks. Then I wear my usual running shoes. (Baggies hold the sweat in, which isn't good, but the trade off of warm toes is worth it.) Yesterday I opted not to do that, thinking I'll know a little better how Amos' feet feel. Within three minutes, I warmed up, and was very comfortable. Within 10 minutes, however, I couldn't feel my toes. I worried about Amos, and wondered, "How cold is too cold to take your dog running?"

I cut the run short, thinking tomorrow we'll go longer. Now here it is, seven flipping degrees! I hate to run without Amos; he goes beserk by the end of the day if we don't go out, especially if Raymond isn't around to play with him (which is pretty much a constant when Ray is home). A border collie at heart, he loves to run. If anyone reading this knows about running with dogs in cold weather, or has information, comment or slip me a quick email. Google didn't turn up much, just a runner in Florida who thought as long as it wasn't below freezing, it would be OK. Hahahahaha...


Are you ready, YET???