Should I race when it's this cold? Drumstick Dash. Mpls. 11/25

startingupagain

Barefooters
Jul 9, 2010
40
0
6
I was planning on racing the Drumstick Dash in Minneapolis on Thanksgiving in my Bikilas. I've only ever raced two 10K's, and my best was this year at 47:04 and I really screwed up that race. (I took off ridiculously too fast). Since then I've gotten a lot faster and I've been getting pretty psyched. I've done this exact course in 44:27 on my Garmin. So I was hoping for a new PR under 44 minutes.

Now it's forecast to be about 15 F degrees, with about 15-18 mph winds. And there may be a significant snowfall on Wednesday. It may even be snowing on Thursday.

I haven't registered. Should I give it up? Has anyone else raced in similar conditions? Are there any specific tips for racing in the cold?

(Maybe no one else will show up and I'll medal!)
 
Are you asking if you should

Are you asking if you should be racing (or even running) this barefoot in 15 F? If you aren't used to running in those conditions barefoot, then you shouldn't race in those conditions. Register for the race, but get something minimal with grip to wear. Good luck.
 
I kinda had the same response

I kinda had the same response as TJ: are you used to running in those conditions at all? If so, I presume you know how to handle it with gear, preparations, whatever. If not, a 10K might not be the best environment to experiment with those type of conditions, especially if you're real competitive and might make dicey decisions you wouldn't have made if it wasn't race day. It'll certainly be interesting to see how many people turn up!
 
I've run in, say, 25 degrees

I've run in, say, 25 degrees just this week. Not barefoot, but in vff bikilas. And I would do this race in my bikilas as well. My question is whether it is worth it. Has anyone here actually enjoyed a race in such conditions?
 
Running at that temp should

Running at that temp should be no problem. However, racing is a whole different ball game. Given the expected conditions, I would treat it as more of a casual run and just enjoy the run as much as possible. Not every race has to be a PR or going at a pace that approaches your max.
 
I ran a couple of 5Ks this

I ran a couple of 5Ks this cold, and I definitely enjoyed them. BUT, I enjoy running in the cold more than most people. If I could pick my favorite temp for running, it would be 36 degrees and dry. Did you enjoy running when it was 25? Personally, I usually enjoy that temp a great deal.
 
 yes, I did enjoy running at

yes, I did enjoy running at 25. And I was pushing it (7:05 miles). But, actually, I think I enjoyed mostly because I was pushing it. What mostly attracts me is pushing my 47 year old body to respectable race times.

I guess I'm just a bit prematurely disappointed and overly focused on numbers. Since this is a flat, flat race, I figured I had a good chance to cut quite a bit off my race PR. (My race PR is 47:04 and I ran this exact course 10 days ago at about 35 degrees and only a little wind in 44:27.) I figured in real race I should be able to get under 44. Now that looks less and less likely, which is a bummer.
 
 Thanks everyone.  Ran the

Thanks everyone. Ran the 10K.

It was 8 degrees F at 8 AM race time. Registration at 7:15 was brutal. Fingers and toes froze signing in. (I was wearing my Bikilas with Injini socks.) Put race number and chip on in a porta potty to get out of the wind. Then went back to my car and sat with it running until 7:45 to get warmer. About 15 minutes before the race, I ran around a bit. Toes froze again.

Race went pretty well. Very very icy. Did a lot of what I call "Fred Flintstoning" where your feet fail to gain traction and just shoot out behind you. Toes unfroze about 2 miles in. Some wind, but I think Minneapolis lakes are lower than their surroundings, so that protects you somewhat. Finished in 45:05 according to my Garmin. Official results not in yet.

But it was fun. Would do again.
 
Sounds like a good time for

Sounds like a good time for the conditions. Congrats.
 
That's a great time,

That's a great time, especially considering the conditions. You must be on cloud 9. Good for you!