Windchill has an effect on winter running, start out running into the wind than turn around and go down wind. Now tell me if the temp felt the same going both ways.
Winter Challenge - 2012
- Thread starter Barefoot YOW
- Start date
Did 5 k this morning...felt so good, I did another 5 k this afternoon - both time the wind chill got below 32F. Note to self: do not go running 2 hours after eating a half a pizza and drinking 2 cheap beers - darn near didn't make back to the house in time 
I don't agree. Wind chill is the effect of cold wind across skin. Take a look at this chart.
It shows that wind speed does reduce the perceived temperature, with frostbite even possible at 40°F. Interesting enough, Environment Canada does not record a wind chill, if the temperature is above 32°F.
I do agree that radiant temperature of the running surface has a greater impact on how comfortable running in near/sub-freezing temps can be. I believe that Lou actually used an infrared thermometer on some of his runs.
Frost bite cannot occur above freezing, no matter what the wind speed. Evaporation of moisture will speed the cooling, but will not cool the skin below freezing, if that was true you could cause melting ice to refreeze by blowing air which was above freezing across it. Human flesh contains almost the same amount of salt as does sea water (which freezes at 28.4 F. The chart does indicate that you could spend about 30 minutes at 14 degrees with 60 mph wind before getting frost bite. I don't think I would try that.
@Chelsea, is this a German urban myth? I've never heard that one before. In Canada, we have one too ... there's only one remedy for running barefoot in the cold --- a straight jacket.
@Chelsea -- please send your race report out. I think you may be the fastest cold weather BF runner I know.
Nice run YOW, looks like you will be catching me quite quickly, as winter has set in quite nicely out our way. Short runs from here on in.
Week 6 Update:
Interestingly, we reached 1111 km (688 miles) on Nov 11th.
That puts us at the border of Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri on I29.
Barefooting Bob has the most distance at 223 km
Barfuß Chelsea and Bosenoge have the longest runs at 42.2 km
Barefooting Bob and Dutchie have the coldest run at -12°C or 10°F
Here's a link to our spreadsheet
Interestingly, we reached 1111 km (688 miles) on Nov 11th.
That puts us at the border of Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri on I29.
Barefooting Bob has the most distance at 223 km
Barfuß Chelsea and Bosenoge have the longest runs at 42.2 km
Barefooting Bob and Dutchie have the coldest run at -12°C or 10°F
Here's a link to our spreadsheet
Can't keep up with you YOW. Kept it close for a while. Unfortunately my half marathon tomorrow is to the South and has a later start time, so not likely to fit into the cold range.
I've been having problems getting my runs into the cold section......all this warm weather in MI is nuts!
its been in the upper 40s lower 50s and looks like lower 50s all next week.....not that I'm complaining
NickW
Guest
Zetti, we have been having an unusually warm fall and early winter too. Kind of sucks.I've been having problems getting my runs into the cold section......all this warm weather in MI is nuts!
its been in the upper 40s lower 50s and looks like lower 50s all next week.....not that I'm complaining
Nick....I like winter but only once it starts snowing....cool rain is not my thing....so I can't complain too much as its been decently dry here however
This whole winter challenge is just a way to make the Canadians feel good. Good job Nick & Zetti, I think you got them actually believing you wish it were colder. Me, I'll take 50 F/10C and sunny until next May.
NickW
Guest
Actually, my highest mileage months are usually during the colder winter months Lee. My body seems to operate better. Now, our weather here in OR is nothing like those Canadians or you colder weather folks, so keep that in mind. I like our mid to high 20's to 40's in the winter.
I resemble that remark Bare. But seriously the runs are know starting to drop significantly, as the weather (wet and cold) is not allowing me to get out for very long nor far. Shoes here we come, but I will still try to get some short runs in when I can.
I did my 1st cold weather bf run this afternoon. Air temp 39F and sunny, frozen puddles on the path.. It took me a while to find the guts to finally get out of the car and do it, still a little embarrest (why ?) as well as a little fear (what the hell am I doing...)
It was great again, took a while until my feet warmed up but than it was just fun! Don't think I will do any colder than that, especially in snow. But you never know....
It was great again, took a while until my feet warmed up but than it was just fun! Don't think I will do any colder than that, especially in snow. But you never know....
5 months of cold weather means I've got to push my comfort zone; otherwise, I would be stuck on the treadmill or gravel bucket. Besides, soon I'll have to get the dog team ready and I don't know if barefoot dog sledding qualifies for this challenge.
@Rick - you're doing great .... Almost got the same mileage so far this winter as you did all last year. In fact, Bob, Dutchie, and Chelsea all have more kms so far than they did all of last winter.
I did my 1st cold weather bf run this afternoon. Air temp 39F and sunny, frozen puddles on the path.. It took me a while to find the guts to finally get out of the car and do it, still a little embarrest (why ?) as well as a little fear (what the hell am I doing...)
It was great again, took a while until my feet warmed up but than it was just fun! Don't think I will do any colder than that, especially in snow. But you never know....
Way ta go Bernd!!! Isn't it surprising how comfortable it can be. Keep in mind that around 93% of our winter runs last year were between 23 and 41°F. I agree with Lee 10°C and sunny is perfect.
Yes it is pretty amazing! I think I just have to get used to it... What i also noticed is that I feel much more sore in my calves than the runs before... probably part of the cold temperature hindering the flexibility of the muscles?? ... and of course I overdid it as usual...
Yah, you know I was just giving you guys sh!t. As Bernd can attest, we Minnesotans are the Canadians of the US. In fact, Minnesota gets a bit colder than many of your populations centers, like Toronto and Vancouver. We get that Arctic spike from Winterpeg. And 20-23 °F and above is within my comfort zone, on smooth dry asphalt anyway. Actually, my BFR temperature index is kind of like this:
10-20 - numb and dumb
20-30 - tolerable
30-40 - fine
40-50 - comfortable
50-60 - perfect
60-70 - almost perfect
70-80 - starting to work up a sweat
80-90 - sweaty but fun
90-100 - tingles up and down my spine
I just thought it was funny to hear folks complain about not getting any cold runs in. Last winter 20 F was my limit, but we'll see if I can dip down into the teens a bit this winter. I may start off the really cold runs shod and then take off the Moc3s once I'm warmed up and see how far I can go BF. But the minute the feet start to numb up, the shoes are coming back on. And running shod is still a lot better than running on the dreadmill, I agree. Those things drive me nuts. One of the things I like best about running is that it gets me outside. Embrace the elements!
Hey Bernd, whereabouts in Minnesota are you? I'm in St. Paul, close to 280. Maybe we could go on a weekend run sometime if you're not too far away.I did my 1st cold weather bf run this afternoon. Air temp 39F and sunny, frozen puddles on the path.. It took me a while to find the guts to finally get out of the car and do it, still a little embarrest (why ?) as well as a little fear (what the hell am I doing...)
It was great again, took a while until my feet warmed up but than it was just fun! Don't think I will do any colder than that, especially in snow. But you never know....
