I NEVER thought I could do this!

Annie5859

How can I describe cold winter weather for those of you who have never experienced it…when you step outside and take your first breath, it feels as though your lungs are shrinking. After about a minute, your nose starts to run, and your mitten becomes a ready-made tissue. Sometimes your eyelashes will freeze to your upper lids, which then takes a quick mitt rub (with the other mitt of course) and a few fast blinks to warm things up again. Fingers, toes and cheeks become numb within minutes and if you ever experienced this, you know the ever importance of slowly warming up cold appendages. If you do it too quick (like run them under warm water) they start to itch and hurt like you’ve never felt before.

Yes, Canadian winter is not for the faint of heart. You must be hearty and tough out there – but most importantly, dress for the weather and that is exactly what I did when I ran the other night in the 8km Sight Night Run. I am proud to say it took me 1 hour and 2 minutes to conquer this feat. This is the farthest distance I’ve run in a race thus far.

What I’ve learned from this experience is that I truly and do ANYTHING I set my mind to. My goals and aspirations are LIMITLESS.

jesseBYAH

This is AWESOME! So happy for you! I am a Minnesotan so I understand what you mean about that weather. I am impressed! I want to start running outside but I am scared to, it is getting cooooold! Awesome job

CanToGirl

I live in WI and I know what you mean about cold winters.
Congratulations on your success. Awesome story!!

cookies4me2

Congratulations for completing the run!! that is something to be proud of for sure.

Mybabie

I live in Edmonton so I know what you mean about the cold. And congratulations on your run.

StaceyL76

Minnesotan and understand the cold weather. What you accomplished is amazing.

stevwil41

Fantastic! I'm not ashamed to admit that I'd have never done it. It hit 60 here and started raining more often and I joined a gym:)

ProudMomoftwo

Wow Annie that is an amazing accomplishment!!

The lowest temps I have run in are the 30's...so far.
That was chilly enough but it will be getting chillier!

lorika1977

Great job Annie! I live in northern IL, about 30 min away from Wisconsin and we get pretty heafty winters here too. Not yet, it is still in the 40s here, but soon I am sure. Awesome run! What's next for you? Maybe a 10k? Half marathon?
You can do it!

Cosmic_Unicorn

Oh man, I live in Alberta and I don't exercise outdoors in the winter. Or the spring. Or the summer, because then it's too hot. You sure beat me!