I’ve ran in some pretty cold weather before. But none of those runs even compared to last night.

Please note that “feels like” temperature. That’s – 20 F. Also please not the “wind chill” warning at the top. Brrrrr! But my run clinic happens regardless of weather, so I got myself dressed – very, very dressed – and headed out.

I was wearing:

• 3 pairs of pants (2 tights and one cheap outer layer from Walmart)
• 4 top layers: long sleeve, t-shirt and 2 medium-heavy running jackets
• 2 pairs of socks
• 2 pairs of gloves
• Neck warmer
• Toque

If it wasn’t for the clinic and the fact that I don’t have access to a treadmill I probably would have bailed last night. But I got out there and I’m glad I did! Honestly? It was not that bad.

My toes were cold for the first mile or so but then they warmed up and I alternated pulling my neck warmer down around my chin and up over my nose and mouth. I also ended up taking off my fleece Olympic mittens after the first mile because I was too warm.

Last night was the coldest weather I’ve ever ran in and tonight, with a predicted windchill of – 35 C ( – 31 F), will beat last night’s run even. Plus I have 10 km (6.2 miles) to run tonight instead of just 6.5 km (4 miles). But last night gave me a huge confidence boost and I know I can do it! Plus it doesn’t hurt that I walked in the door to Eric handing me a caesar, dinner almost ready and a hot shower after which I immediately put on my coziest sweater that my Grandma knitted for me.

I knew what I was getting into when I signed up for a spring marathon but I sure am glad this extreme cold snap is only supposed to last a week And honestly? I think I’d rather be training in cold temps (but not this cold) than the super scorching temps that come with summer training!

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Question of the day: What’s the coldest temperature you’ve ever ran in?

Well friends, it’s that time of year again. The holiday season! Last year I wrote a Christmas list which turned out to be very effective as I was gifted most of the things on my list So I’m doing the same thing this year! Check out my Christmas list last year and my present haul – my family totally spoiled me!

Anyways, this year all I want for Christmas is…

A kobo e-reader!

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Yup, I’ve caved and decided I’m ready to go the e-reader route. I did a lot of traveling this past year and it was really hard to travel with more than one book. Also really annoying when I was traveling and finished the only book I had with me. An e-reader would make it so much easier. Plus, we don’t have a lot of extra room for books in our house as it is!

Run for it pullover and/or Run your heart out tights – Lululemon

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There is sooo much lululemon stuff I want that I could fill up this entire blog post with the different lulu things I would like. But after much debate I decided that these two things would benefit me most during winter marathon training. Oh, and I’ll take both in size 10 please and thank you. Or a GC of any amount would go towards one of these two things

A gift card to the Running Room for new shoes

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My current running shoes are not going to last me through my whole marathon training cycle and I’m going to need a new pair in early 2012. I’ve been running in the Asics GT-2160′s for about a year now and I’m really happy with them! A gift card of any amount for the Running Room would go towards that purchase!

Nike dri-fit socks

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I have asked for these the last two years in a row and my family always comes through! Somehow when Christmas rolls around I always need more as I’ve wrecked or misplaced most of the ones from the year before…why does it work that way with socks?

Starbucks Coffee

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My mom got me a few bags of coffee for my birthday and we’re almost out. I LOVE Starbucks coffee and have been saving a lot of money by making coffee at home every day but Friday (when I treat myself to a latte!) the last few months. I would love another couple bags. Especially a few Christmas Blend ones!

Some prints for our walls!

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As evidenced by this post our walls in our townhouse are still really bare. A full 7 months after moving in! I would love some prints to hang on our walls. Above are a few of my favourites that I found on etsy but I’m not too terribly picky. I just love the idea of hanging prints/typography rather than JUST photos!

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And that’s about it! I can’t think of anything else I really want. None of these things are NEEDS of course but I sure do want it all Plus it’s always fun thinking about your Christmas list every year!

What is on your Christmas list this year?

All last week it was warm and sunny in Kamloops. The snow has been melting and the days have been longer. The sun and warmth literally put an extra spring in my step and a smile on my face as I felt myself come out of the blah state that winter had brought on.

I literally went to bed last night smiling as I thought about getting up to run in the beautiful weather this morning.

Then I woke up to this:

Ya.

I kind of hate getting worked up about the weather because it’s not in anyones control. I think that’s whats so friggin’ frustrating about it, though. No-one did this to me, I have no-one to blame. But it just plain SUCKS that winter/snow/cold won’t just stay away.

So this morning I’m eating waffles and wallowing.

Oatmeal-Cinnamon Waffles

Adapted from this recipe and this recipe. Makes about 5-6 servings.

• 2 eggs
• 2 cups 1% milk
• 1 cup oats
• 1 tbsp molasses
• 1 tbsp EVOO
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup unbleached white flour
• Pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 tsp white sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Mix eggs and milk then add oats and mix well. Stir in molasses and oil. Combine all dry ingredients and add them to the mixture.

Pour batter onto greased, preheated waffle iron and bake for 3-5 minutes (depending on waffle iron.)

Topping

• 1 apple chopped
• 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
• Pinch cinnamon (about 1/2 tsp)
• 1/2 tbsp butter or Earth Balance

Mix all ingredients together and place in pre-heated frying pan or on the grill. Cook until apple is tender (make sure you stir regularly). Makes topping for one serving of waffles.

Add real maple syrup if you wish.

Devour.

I’ll admit, the decadent waffles did make me feel *a little* bit better about the crappy weather.

But I still hope winter goes away. SOON!

What’s the weather like where you are?