This morning I landed back home in Europe after being in DC for a couple days. In doing so, I increased my environmental temperature by approximately 50°F….to approximately 50°F. Just think, if I did that again it’d be like being in the Caribbean.
And then I remembered that everyone else stateside is left in the cold. The windy, snowy, icy…generally miserable cold. For you in Australia, you don’t get to complain at this juncture about your warm temps.
Thus, in order to make the situation a tiny bit better, I figured a giveaway was in order. It’s been a little while since the last one. Actually, sorta way longer than I realized. Not exactly sure how that happened, but we need to get that fixed pronto!
The prize is simple: A $400 credit to to Clever Training to buy anything from the site you’d like. You can use it on anything they offer, from a Garmin watch to a PowerBeam trainer. If the item is over $400US, you’ll simply pay the difference, shipping is free either way. The giveaway is open to all readers – including international folks.
To enter yourself in, simply leave a comment below with the following:
To Enter: Give me the lowdown on the coldest swim/ride/run you’ve had this winter – simple as that!
Got it?
—
Entries will be accepted through Sunday night, 11:59PM Eastern time (February 2nd, 2014). I’ll be you giving one device worth up to $400US from Clever Training. Winner will be chosen at random and announced on roughly Tuesday (my Mom’s Birthday) or Wednesday (if I’m still celebrating the Seahawks win on Sunday at the Super Bowl). One entry per person. The winner can decide on which device after they win. Devices/gadgets/gizmos over $400, the winner can pay the difference.
This giveaway is sponsored by Clever Training, which I’ve got a great partnership with. As you probably remember, by picking up sports technology gadgets from Clever Training you support the site. And on top of that, all DC Rainmaker readers get an exclusive 10% off all products they sell (basically every sports tech company/gadget/device) using coupon code DCR10BTF. Even cold weather gear. And most of all, you support the site in a big way – so I appreciate it!
Note, if you’re US Active Duty Military – you can submit your entry via e-mail [entry period closed] instead. No bunny rabbits or chocolatiers allowed via this method. Mmmkay? Thanks all!
FOUND THIS POST USEFUL? SUPPORT THE SITE!
Hopefully, you found this post useful. The website is really a labor of love, so please consider becoming a DC RAINMAKER Supporter. This gets you an ad-free experience, and access to our (mostly) bi-monthly behind-the-scenes video series of “Shed Talkin’”.
Support DCRainMaker - Shop on Amazon
Otherwise, perhaps consider using the below link if shopping on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, but your purchases help support this website a lot. It could simply be buying toilet paper, or this pizza oven we use and love.
During a “cold snap” in California last December, on a 3 hour morning ride, it was 41F out (w/o windchill). I know, at least I was outside!
13 mile run on an old college route in the Poconos it was 10F with -4F windchill. I loved every minute of it!
Too cold for bike rides in Austria – frozen grounds. Will be flying to Gran Canaria for a week of biking instead 🙂
This week I did a swim in the outdoor pool, and it was sunny and in the low 70’s. Coldest run? early morning run might have been as low as 32F. Had to wear a light jacket and gloves.
Last Saturday. 2.5 hr bike ride, started at 28F. Should have worn ski goggles! Next time for sure!
I live in Houston so I can afford to be picky. My policy is that I don’t ride if below 40 and go for a run instead. Coldest run was about 35.
As a cross-country ski racer, cold is something with which I am intimately familiar. When training at Mt Ste Anne just north of Quebec City, it is regularly 0 to 10 °F (-18 to -12 °C) outside with fairly regular excursions below 0 °F. My time there this January was no different, and even back home in Pennsylvania I’ve gotten out to run and ski when it’s been below 10 °F in the last couple weeks. No big deal, just wear another layer and keep the head/neck covered!
16 miles in NYC with temps in the teens, the wind chill while running over the Queensborough was unnecessary.
Ran the Atlanta Half Marathon on Thanksgiving morning. Temp was 22 F at the start and only 28 F at the finish. Thanks to your advice on cold weather gear/prep I was only cold during the standing around portion of the race before it started. I was sufficiently warm the rest of the race.
I am a cold weather snob! I draw the line about 32°f. I have done many of these runs this winter here in Maryland!
Another California feller here, 45 degrees for my time trial yesterday, sleeves and a buff were all the special gear I needed
Run in temp of 24 with windchill well below 20 and for Austin, TX that is cold!
Hiked at 12^ F on New Years Day. Mtn biked on the ice in the 20s last weekend.
In Prior Lake, MN – we’ve had some pretty chilly days but the most memorable run for me was this past Christmas Eve – went out mid-morning on a 5 miler with the temp 0 degrees with -15 windchill. For me one of the things that helps me to get out is eye protection for the cold wind – I use a cheap pair of ski goggles. Looks weird but protects the eyes and they don’t fog up!
My run Yesterday! Up until then it’s been a string of trainer rides in the basement, P90x work outs in front of the TV and an occasional ride on salty roads when the temps creep into the mid 30s. Yesterday I’m not sure it got above 29 in Frederick, MD but with the sun out, and compared to recent history, it felt downright balmy!
Fred Lebow Manhattan Half in New York this past weekend, 12oF before the sun came up. Beautiful day, though!
Montana in mid-January, -25C.
Well it doesn’t usually get very cold here on the Tennessee/Georgia border but this past week I’ve been doing the Tour of Sufferlandria in the polar vortex of painfully cold weather in my garage. Usually stays 60F in the winter but been a nice 35F since its been 0F outside for a week. Ouch
13 k run in new snow and minus 3 C and 10-15 m/s winds. the problem wasn’t the cold but more the slippery ground. It really takes its toll on the hips and groin…
The Houston Marathon. January 2013.
It was my first marathon ever. Sadly, due to a busy work schedule, work travel, and Christmas traveling, I had missed a good chunk of the last third of my training. The longest I had ever run prior to that day was about 18 miles in early December. The rest of December I basically missed, and the only training I got in in January leading up to the marathon was 5ks and 10ks. I was worried about it. Turned out, I had a lot more to be worried about.
The few days before hand, the marathon committee sent out a ton of emails about the coming chill. The forecast was calling for the coldest day of the winter so far. They also were calling for precipitation. This being Houston, that almost certainly means rain, not snow. But some forecasters were actually saying it might get to be snow in the early morning before temperatures picked back up.
I had done no running in anything beyond shorts and a t-shirt, so I was worried about changing up the kit before racing. I bought a long sleeve technical shirt and wore a short sleeved shirt over that and hoped it would be ok.
I woke up, dressed, and headed for the marathon.
It
Was
Cold
I don’t remember the exact temperature in the morning, but I think it was around 35F. When I started training for that marathon in August/September, it was 100+F. The George R. Brown conference hall is always used as the rallying point for the Houston Marathon, so I hid in there as long as I could. Then, they tell all the racers to head out to their corrals. I found my corral… and waited. And waited. And waited. It seemed like I was out there for an hour, but it was really something like 25 minutes before the gun went off. It was ~35F, and it also started drizzling just as we got outside. I remember standing under a small tree with 4 other people, listening to the announcer say “my friend up here (some big name runner) says these are ideal conditions for a marathon!” We all laughed in that uncontrollable sympathy laugh of a person on the brink of mental break down, cracked a few jokes about it, then returned to silent shivering.
There I was in running shorts and a pair of technical shirts freezing to the point of teeth chattering, and the gun goes off. What nobody prepared me for, and none of the books I read really gave me any clue I’d be waiting on, was how long it takes for the average runner to get past the start line and actually start running in a big marathon like the Houston marathon. It took 30 minutes of cattle-herding to get to the start line and begin… All the while, standing in the cold rain.
It was miserable until we started really moving. It took until mile 5 before I could feel my fingers again. By mile 10, it was back up in the 50s (God bless Houston in the winter…), and by mile 16… I was walking. I went too hard in the cold at the beginning, something nobody told me I was likely to do, and with all the missed training, my legs just couldn’t take it.
I grew up in Pennsylvania, so I figured, “As long as it isn’t freezing, I should alright, right?” Oh boy was I wrong. I’ve never been that cold. And since I didn’t start running until moving to Houston, where runners basically try to lose as much clothing as possible all year long, I didn’t know leggings and arm sleeves were a thing. You better believe I had some ready to go for the marathon this year a few weeks ago.
Average about 67° all winter on my trainer and treadmill……………. in the garage 😉
Had a cool training ride at 5 pm in sunny South Africa with Avg Temperature 29.2C, loving this winter
So, my coldest run? I HATE to run in the cold! I normally run inside on treadmill — but I did go out with my Husky (he looooves the cold and run) and did so last weekend — AFTER 12.5 inches of snow on Tuesday — thought it would be all cleaned up (at Asbury boardwalk — they allow doggies) and nope, I feel on the ice right on my butt — good thing is that I had a nice comfy loose down coat — yeah, I’m not a fast runner…was really jogging it! ha ha. Temp was about 18…brr for me!
ps.. found this site 2 weeks ago and love it — keep checking for info. Bought the Tanita Scale after reading review — love it! (got a Garmin 3210xt, had the 305, 205 — been using garmin for years). Read the Garmin Vivofit article — got one in the basket — waiting….to pre-order
Um, I live in Northern California so my coldest run was back in November 39 degrees maybe? Yeah, i had to break out the arm warmers 🙂
I hate the cold, so I’ve been training inside. So…75F is the coldest for me this winter.
Coldest run was at 10F earlier this week in NC. Coldest ride was also this week as the heat went out in the house… it was about 50F on my trainer. Coldest swim.. indoors…. that first five seconds always seems to be cold.
i rode int he winter it was a 30 degrees outside with 20 mile an hour winds
it was freezing!
It’s been chilly down here in Atlanta recently, and a couple weeks ago I did a 5 mile run at 5am. The temperature outside was 7 degrees f. Not sure what the real feel was, but when I returned my beard was covered in ice, my water bottle was frozen shut, and I had frostbite (mild) on my ankles where my leggings didn’t meet perfectly with my Vibram Five Fingers shoes.
The only run that might have been more interesting in the cold was this past Wednesday morning not being able to make my 24 mile commute home from the office. After a 12 hour car trip, I had to park my car about 7 miles from the house, only 1.5 miles from a friends, because the bridge heading home was frozen over. I had to “jog” to my friends at 1:30am in a suit navigating through the stranded cars from the snowstorm that dropped 2″ on the ground and paralyzed the city. When I awoke in the morning, I jogged the remainder 5 or so miles home to be with my family because my car was still stranded. Thta’s definitely the most interesting “run” I ever had.
35 deg F CX race… in the rain. Thats misery.
Grand Rapids Mi. Attempted to run a 7 degrees (windchill was deathly cold). This temp will hurt your eyes. Gave up and went to the YMCA.
Coldest ride this year was 30 degrees, but much colder with wind chill and 50 mph descents!
Only -6°C during a run in Norway.
13 degree run a couple weeks ago – wind chill of about 0. Wasn’t too bad!
Since I’ve been injured since Dec. 2, my coldest run this winter was on Thanksgiving day. The temp for the 5K I did was 22 degrees Fahrenheit.
minus 20 C run in Toronto, Canada
Last week my dog and I took a run in 4 F in Upstate New York. After a few strides we had to return and put on her booties to avoid any more salt particles and ice shards wedging into her footpads. It turned out to be a good workout, complete with iced up eyelashes and frosty dog whiskers!
1.5 hr ride earlier this month from Glen Echo. The temps in low 20’s w/wind chills in the mid teens. Glad the weather this weekend is much warmer!
This will be hard because im in SoCal. Im not even sure Winter came this year. But the coldest it got was in December on the 7th. Did a local 10k that my friends out together…i actually had to wear gloves…even though it was only 55-60 degress out. Im a wuss.
Thanks Ray
I ran a 5k race in 20 degree weather and in 6 inches of fresh snow.
So far this year, that would be the -15C Robbie Burns 8K last Sunday. At least the sun was shining.
Over Christmas I went for a run in Northern Minnesota on a balmy -15 degree day. Thankfully no wind.
Just a couple of weeks ago in the bitter “polar vortex” of the northeast US. -4 windchill…. brrrrrrrrr
Last week it was about 12 degrees when I started and about 8 when I finished with a 20-30 mph wind to boot. Not fun without a mask!!!
My coldest event was a half marathon I did 2 weeks ago where the temperature at the start was in the high 40s. Since it was in Florida, everyone was all bundled up but the temps helped me to my first sub-2hr half. Hoping that leads to my first $400 gift card 😉
Did a 20′ FTP test in the great snowmageddon of hotlanta this past week.
I live in Minnesota, we just went through a ‘polar vortex’ where -20F was a common occurrence for several days. I don’t have a treadmill, don’t want one, don’t have space for one, can’t justify the finances to buy one. But, I must, MUST run. I ran…. You can dress for the cold.. another layer is always possible, and for the cost of a treadmill, you can buy a lot of layers.
I have had icicles dangling from my handlebar mustache that slap me in the cheek while I run.
The coldest ride so far was at about 10 degrees Fahrenheit, with sub zero wind chill. Was on my road bike on some local bike trails. Chemical warmers in the shoes and gloves. But I had to get out, was going stir crazy.
Climbing the Stelvio in May 2013 before the Giro went through! 8deg and raining at the bottom, -3 and a blizzaard at the top! Never ridden in snow before so was not exactly prepared for it either!
I tried running in -30 C during the Polar Vortex. I decided treadmill running isn’t that bad.
did 20 miles at 7 degree
I managed to get out for 5 mile run on Dec 30th in 15 degrees in Chicago. I passed on the recent deep freeze though. I think my coldest ever was Moscow last January with a high of 12.
Go Hawks. Mild Seattle winter so coldest run 30deg.
2°C last week in Spain
X- country skiing in sweden. -8 degrees celsius but feels more to be honest. No wind, yesterday it was minus 1 but felt like minus 20 degrees celsius due to strong wind.
Coldest workout this year was a 25 mile bike ride…..when I left the house it was 27 degrees F. Anyways, I definitely regretted it by the time I returned home, pretty miserable overall.
Walk to end of driveway at zero F in shirtsleeves to pickup morning paper.
Otherwise 15 mile ride at 18F – both January 2014.
In an attempt to keep a cycle commuting streak alive, I rode to and from work (5km each way) earlier this month in roughly -30°C temperatures, with a stiff westerly wind causing the snow to drift. My studded tires are pretty good on the ice, but a lot of the pathways were drifted over, causing my pedals to bottom-out in the snow. It turned into winter cyclocross with a heavy hybrid on my shoulder. The ride to work in the morning was kind of fun. The way home _against_ the wind wasn’t.
This past Tuesday (Jan.28) I began my 20 mile run at 945, in Birmingham Alabama, temp in the upper 20’s a dusting of snow expected…. by mile 10 around 11 am, there was three inches of snow, icy roads with cars being abandoned left and right and i was 10 miles from home on my out and back course, I ended up abandoning my run and helping stranded motorist until almost 4 pm, temps now in the upper teens and me with only tights and a single layer of under armor under my vest, gloves and hat. Three of the motorist who i helped on the walk back home had no place to go and were far from home and were very grateful to join me on my walk home and ended up staying two nights before the roads improved enough to continue their journey. It started out as a run, and turned into reminder of just what a good feeling can come from helping your fellow man.
I don’t remember the exact temperature but it was during the month of November, perhaps one of the coldest months in Northern Ireland. It was quite a few years ago but it is my most memorable run ever. I don’t think that I’ve ever experienced such a run in the ten years that have passed since then. 7 minute miling all on my lonesome. I had just had a bad day at work ( Spanish Teacher) looking to find my zen. All of a sudden it started to snow. Pure silence, no traffic on the roads, clear beautiful sky and the sound of my kayanos crunching on the ground. It was my most perfect, peaceful and pleasing run ever.
Were not used to the recent polar cold here on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, USA. I’ve had a lot of runs on snow and ice lately but one of my coldest in my life was on January 7th. A friend and I did 9 miles total in 1:03:09 but it was a fartlek. 4 miles easy, then 12×1 min on/1 min off, then 2 miles easy. Air temp was 16 degrees with a wind chill of 8. Wind was brutal and in our faces on some of the surges. Wind was blowing 10-15mph and gusts around 20mph. We worked up a sweat though thanks to the surges.
Well, no one’s going to feel sorry for me. I live in South Texas. I did, however, get caught in the rain this winter and got completely drenched. Don’t know how this has never happened to me before. Kind of liked it! And the best part was that I wasn’t the only dummy out there that day!
I live in North Florida, and we had snow for the first time in a long time. I so unprepared I didn’t have any pants to run in and had to improvise. When I ran it was probably about 27 degrees.
Thanks for the opportunity!
During the “polar vortex” week back in late december, I went out for a two hour fatbike ride in -31 celcius temperature. It felt like -45 with the wind….but I had a blast! It was immensely quiet in the woods and all I could hear was the creaking noise made by my big tires. Priceless!
-26C for a 6k run. 4 layers on too and 3 layers on the legs. still took 1.5k to even approach being warm. I miss mild European training weather sometimes.
Well the heater at the YMCA pool was broken this morning, so the water was 77 degrees F, instead of the usual “way too hot to swim laps” 85 degrees. So does that count as my coldest swim??
I live in Alabama so some people will laugh when I say I rode in 40 degrees. I dressed wrong and I thought my toes were going to fall off.
I had a run in -1 degree F…frosty!
Saturday January 25, 2014 after driving through a terrible snow storm to participate in the Brighton, Ontario snowshoe race only to find out it had been cancelled on account of extreme snow conditions I decided to create my own snowshoe race from my house. The entrants only myself. The route across my own property and through several of my neighbors properties and finishing out the course along Grippen Lake. Total distance 6.7km, knee deep (and sometimes deeper) snow and a temperature of about -20 deg Celsius not including windchill. Glad to report I both placed first and also sadly last place in the race. At the same time one of the best runs I have ever had!
The local polar dash, it was -9 at the start and took a couple of miles for my feet to thaw from waiting around for the start.
Coldest ride this year was -3C. This is my first year cycling since I was a kid. Much colder and I will have to get some warmer gloves!
Coldest run this winter, 2F with a steady 13MPH northwest wind, felt like -17F (all weather details from weather.com). Ground out 4 miles and headed in, nose and toes were getting numb.
My coldest was 16 degrees Fahrenheit (4 after windchill), but the one that felt the coldest started in 4 inches of snow with 4 more during the run. My beard was frozen solid and my glasses were covered in ice, twas pretty awesome.
December morning run at 28F in NorCal (but last week was 58F at the same time of day — we may not have water but at least it’s nice out!).
December: a 20F run around the forbidden city in Beijing.
I went last weekend on a 55km/4,5 hour longdistance longboard skate trainingsession in Holland. It was about -2 degrees Celsius so it’s not really winter weather over here, but cold enough to feel your limbs go numb when you are doing nothing.
It’s to warm for this time of year in Holland, and I’m still wondering if it’s a good or a bad thing.
Let’s say that last year I have been in worst weather conditions.
1 mile around the neighborhood @ 40 degrees with my 10 year old.
Living in Minnesota, everything outside is cold. About 3 weeks ago, went for a run outside when it was about 15 degrees with a nasty windchill.
This week down here in SC. Went on a 12 mile training run with snow still on the ground, I believe it was 20F when I started and not much higher when I finished with a pretty brutal wind chill.
Short swim in sea at 4C this weekend. Air temp of -1C. Bracing.
Went out in a little drizzle not too wrapped up. Half way through the wind and heavy rain set in. The three of us has a huddle to keep warm then slowly rode home.
Treadmill watching the weather. Polar Vortex and Lake Effect snow make running outside in Michigan almost impossible!
I love being warm to much venture out in the freezing cold. I have though walked to the gym from the parking lot in negative temperatures, does that count.
I’ve pretty much wimped out on the coldest days this winter and worked out indoors. My coldest run outdoors this year has been a balmy 27 deg F.
In December I went out for a run in Wisconsin along Lake Michigan with the thermometer at zero F (-18C), which isn’t too big a deal, but is near the coldest weather I like to be out in. I forgot the cold wind coming out of the North, which put it down near -15 F on the last couple miles. Set myself a new personal best for lowest temp run. 🙂
Coldest ever run was my first parkrun in January 2011. 0c, frozen lake, iced paths, plumes of frosty exhalation, I wore too much stuff, but still felt pretty cold. Ice block feet especially.
Germany has had a very mild winter, so I have only hand to do one 2 mile run at 32 F.
Not that cold this winter in Madrid..The coldest around 0Celsius last Wed but wind and rain made it quite cold..
First, thanks for last year’s Wahoo Kickr review. It’s been a blast.
Second, this winter I have done many runs around -20oC with -30oC wind chill for 45-60 minute. Worst part was the wind was around 34km/h with worse gusts. Had to bail on the resolution run this year because it was under -30oC and close to a -40oC wind chill. Joys of living in Subury, Ontario.
I’ve had it pretty rough in Arizona this year. I think our coldest day has been in the low 40s. Ha! Arizona is great! I can run outside every day of the year!
My coldest run so far this winter has been – 11 Celsius (12,2 F), so its been A god winter so far in my part og Norway… The run was 10 km long.
Sprinting up hills in Boston, beard frozen solid.
Been a wuss this year .running on indoor track at gym. Need to get back to running outside.
Riding out of Vail, I was wearing gloves but my fingers froze anyway. I think it was zero Fahrenheit? Even more painful was warming them back up!
Running after an ice storm in St. Louis. Fell twice in 16 miles but had a blast trying to navigate all the treachery.
I n Canberra Australia i went for a ride with my friend and halfway through it started raining and i mean pouring.We decided to keep on riding for another 30 minutes and when i got home It took 3 hours before i could feel my fingers.worst experience i have had in the cold.
8 mile run, -30 wind chill, -2 without the wind. Grateful for wooded trails to break the wind! Yay for living in the Great Plains!
64 degree run here in South Florida – it was rough!
Early December long run — a balmy 7 degrees F for 10 miles of hills. A light dusting of snow on the ground to round it out.
Manhattan half this year! It was 14 degrees!
Ran a 11 miler in late December which started out with just a few snowflakes and ended up a blizzard. I had about 1/2 inch accumulation on my shoulders and chest by the time my trusty running partner (German shorthair pointer) and I got home. This is not a big deal in many parts of the country but I live in the desert of southern Utah.
During the Worst Day of the Year Ride on Jan. 26–about 12F and 3″ of new snow had just fallen. Not a great day for a road ride, surely, but a lot of fun anyway.
Last year, Christmas vacation in Calgary with family. Trying my hardest to get in shape and keep my momentum heading ino the holidays, I went running outside in -1F, in boots, layered to the brim. Didn’t end well. Finally getting in shape after years of obesity, but still a ways to go (and nothing will stop me, sun, rain, or…OK, maybe snow, snow can definitely stop me).
Too warm in europe this winter – never got below -5°C at my place.
Went for a run in Yellowknife, NT Canada at 40 below zero. (on a treadmill in my hotel).
got a 100k run below 10degC in Northface100
Christmas morning. My wife was inside preparing breakfast for our family and though the sun was shining it was bitter cold. I struck out for an hours run. It’s always amazing that you can be freezing cold and still sweat!
Cortina trail in the Dolomites (cortina, IT). It snowed the night before so they had to change some of the route. Still best race ever!
During the “Polar Vortex” that made its way all the way to South Florida (Boca) I decided it was a good idea to go for a run. According to WunderMap it was a cool 39F. I out on a pair a shorts, long sleeve tee, and a beanie, and I was on my way! I was cold for about 2 mins and then it was really nice the rest of the way!
I’ve been enjoying the unseasonably warm weather here in California, coupled with virtually zero rain. The coldest run was maybe 40 degrees which for me is a perfect temp to pound out some miles.
Rode 4.4 miles on “Black Betty” my town bike,at 7F to cattail lake to do laps on our 400m speed skating oval. It took 20 laps to warm up to a comfortable operating temp!
Skyline drive bike ride in the rain and cold temps…didn’t think I’d make it back to the car.
My first swim with a personal trainer was in her apartment pool. It was unheated and outdoors. The water was a chilly 66 degrees. I’d been looking forward to this lesson and wouldn’t let that stop me. It wasn’t too bad swimming but I shook for an hour afterwards!
The worst thing wasn’t the cold, but it was windy as h***! Bottles were slush-iced within the first hour, despite the temperature only being around -4C…
link to app.strava.com
I would love to have an embellished story, but the coldest temps I have run in have been indoors. I have a room above my garage and I did a p90x legs workout, biked 30 minutes, then ran 2.0 on the treadmill. All while it was 45degrees in the room.
Does the p90x part make me tougher? 🙂
My coldest run this season was a few degrees above zero Fahrenheit in a blinding snowstorm. It was nearly midnight, so I wasn’t wearing sunglasses, and the icy flakes kept stinging my eyes. The snow was already accumulating, and there were still numerous patches of ice from the last winter storm, so I wore a pair of old Asics with screws in the treads for traction. It was the first time this season I decided to wear a fleece vest under my outer running jacket, and though it was nice for the first five minutes or so, my core quickly warmed to the point of regret (but not so warm that I had to remove it). It was me on the ice-textured sidewalks and the ploughs and salt trucks on the roads, approaching each other warily at intersections. Turns were a little slower and wider than normal as even with the ‘screw shoes’ traction was less than ideal, but overall pace was, unexpectedly, somewhat better than normal (still much slower than you, Ray). I got into a rhythm enjoying the peace and solitude especially as I got off the main roads and into the neighborhood cul-de-sacs, and nearly doubled my planned 4-miler into a 7-1/2 mile jaunt that made me feel I had earned the next morning’s snow day work cancellation.
New Year’s Eve 5K in East Meadow, NY!
A 15k over thanksgiving. Was snowing, blowing, and icy. But fun!
66 F because i always run on a treadmill or on my tacx during winter here in canada
a 1 hour run at -18F… it´s pretty cold in Quebec
We’re having a bit of a non-winter here, but coldest run was 0 C with a freezing mix of somewhat solid rain coming down…bot fun, but not horrible, either…
Well, nothing very extreme, here in Portugal our water is usually mild, even in the winter. One of my new year resolutions is to restart running, and it’s been particularly cold this winter, so maybe something more exciting will come along.
Thanks for the giveaways.
Pedro.
The coldest run I have had is about 12 degrees, not bad for South Carolina!
Thanks for the giveaway!
The polar vortex that recently hit Atlanta, Georgia allowed me to run in the teens and closer to zero with the wind chill.
Lake Michigan swim….so cold I thought my organs were going to stop working. And if you can beleive it, it was in the summer. Strange currents fluctuate the temps all through the year…never know what you to expect when you step in that lake.
Being from Minneapolis, most runs in the last month have been around 0, plus or minus 10 degrees. Ten miles today at 7 degrees!
A treadmill run in my drafty basement.
I participated in an ‘ugly sweater’ 5 mile training run a couple weeks ago. The actual temp was -1 but with the wind chill (whatever that means), it was-13. Seriously….. It hurt my feelings…and my fingertips. I’m only a novice, too, not nearly as adept at tri as 99.8% of the peeps on here. True story, & darn it, I really, really, really want a running gps watch.
My coldest run this winter was while attending a summit in Gettysburg, PA the week before Christmas. I planned for cold weather, but was surprised to see snow on the ground when I got there. I ran twice while there, and both times, temps were in the mid to high 20’s. Worse than the temperatures, however, was the fact that there was ice on the ground. I am sure others at the summit who saw me must have thought I was crazy.
It would have to be the Georgia “snow-pocolypse” this week. Nothing like a little sleet and ice in central Georgia to make that 10k run go a little faster. Since it’s Georgia, the entire state shut down at the sight of freezing rain, by the time the snow started to fall shelters were already at capacity…think a winter’s version of ‘I Am Legend”. Needless to say, the streets were clear of traffic…icy, but clear.
Just a couple of runs in December when it was cold here in the PNW.
Running home 5 miles from the hospital in scrubs because my car was stuck during the Atlanta snowpocolyps.
-10 here in East Tennessee. A mile felt like a marathon.
Probably about 18 degrees on a ride in December. It was a cool ride to the beach and about the same temperature in the water (in metric). In Australia.
14°C swim. 2 km training on course for a half ironman. Scary cold
Ran 4.2 miles when it was 14°F (0°F with windchill) in NJ. At 6AM. In the dark. Barefoot.
I am new to the world of Tri’s and really enjoy the site. My coldest swim would be at Wrightsville Beach, NC when it was mid 50’s (F) outside. I don’t know the water temp, but it was a cold as I have ever been. And I don’t like being cold.
December 5th 2013,north california.
It was morning, I was going for my usual morning run.
It was during one those so called “cold wave”, I took my wife running glove in case.
It was indeed pretty cold. I started running in my usual short and t-shirt.
After a few miles, I was doing good, but then I realized, I couldn’t feel my fingers in spite of the gloves.
It started to “tingle” we’ll say, but I kept pushing.
When I got home, it took me about 20 minutes before regaining some sensitivity in my fingers.
Upon uploading my run to garmin connect the verdict fell. 30F, feels like 25F.
I will never ever make fun of a californian cold wave by running in short, t-shirt and thin gloves, lesson learned 😀
It was 30 degrees in Palo Alto one night this winter for a run. Not much to complain about here.
January 28 in Manhattan, at 24F.
Believe it or not it was 21 and clear & sunny here in Seattle on December 7th and I ran in the sun and cold but I guess dec 7 is technically not winter so in that case my answer is last Sunday at 6:30 AM is was in the low to mid 30s and the Burke Gilman trail actually had some slippery parts made more fun by the pitch black and no headlamp! Go Hawks!
My coldest run so far was 65 degrees (indoors). Mainly because the pollution has been so bad in SLC lately, I don’t dare run outside, feels like running after someone smoking a cigarette.
Now skiing… had some cold days (way up above the pollution where life is happy!)
This competition is “hemispherist” – down south winter is still on its way 🙂
Coldest run was probably around 15C in the last couple of months at 5 in the morning
8c swim in just togs , sort of training swim, plenty of brandy after
The coldest it’s been here isn’t that cold. I did spend thanksgiving in Mammoth and did a run while it was in the high-forties. Even there it wasn’t too cold.
Yesterday I ran 14 km in -18 C and windy. (according to Garmin Connect felt like -26 C) Afterwards it took a while to defrost my beard. 🙂
Dang! We don’t have winter over here in Singapore D:
Doesn’t get super super cold here in Delhi… but feels chilly enough when running through the wind.
My coldest run was when it started drizzling slightly and I had forgotten my cap at home. Frozen cold hands, and red nose and ears!!
But I’ll take the cold over the Delhi summer any day : )
I don’t think Its been less that 20C for the last 3 months in sunny South Africa!
Decided to go cycling in Boulder when it was below 20 F after being used to mid 70s of So Cal. Got 30 min into a planned 3 hour ride before deciding it was too cold.
Hi Ray,
Thanks again for a great prize! Clever Training has been great to buy stuff from. I’m glad they sponsor you!
My coldest training this winter was on my bike. About 6 degrees here in Baltimore County, but sunny. I bundled up for my ride, but the wind was biting. So bad, I had to stop and get out of the wind because I thought my teeth would fall out they hurt so bad!
Keep up the great reviews!
Thanks,
Don
Coldest so far is about 15 F … I’ve been opting for the trainer in the basement when it’s colder than that. However, today it was 79 and clear here in Hanoi where it’s actually quite peaceful for Tet
Not too much of a report about the coldest event but today it was maybe (just) 40ish and I got out with my daughters and the Bob stroller and did a park loop.
I’d love to tell you about the coldest one, but it’s summer time here, so ocean is quite warm (for a wetsuit at least) 😉 The most rough was one of link to beachseries.co.nz, with high wind and 1 meter waves.
55 F OWS on a cold December day in NorCal. Couldn’t feel my face, hands, and toes after a 25 minute swim!
I ran one mile in -2F temperatures just to see what it felt like. It hurt.
I ran a 5K on January 1 in Minneapolis, when it was -10 degrees Farenheit. The crazy thing is that I wasn’t the only one. There were probably close to 1000 people running/walking as well!
I’m spoilt in Australia. The issue here is getting out early enough in the day when it’s still reasonably cool. I feel for those who are self-disciplined enough to fight true winter weather and keep running through the cold!
Coldest – probably freezing… haven’t been exercising outside much due to darkness more than cold…. that and schedule issues.
New years days run in Seattle. The last run I did before I injured myself 🙁 was only 43°F so not too cold
Going for a run in what my phone’s weather app called “ice fog”. Not only was it so thick I could barely see, but I got frost on my arms from the condensation freezing.
-5 degress Celsius Here i Esbjerg, Denmark. I love doing my 10K around the Harbour at Night.
It’s beautiful with all the lights on the crains and Oil rigs.
-1°C, strong headwind 18K run at night with headlamp.
-5 C this morning
I ran a few kilometres at the end of december at around – 17°C. And skied at -25°C a few days later…
Temperature of my morning runs in Southeast Idaho this time of year tend to average around 15°F.
Ironman California 2000 swim. The air was freezing, the water was freezing, and even before the gun went off so was I.
10 degrees C and wind chill. Almost froze toes and ears off during run.
During a training run with my team I ran a 10k in 5C temperature through Toronto. I wore only some running shorts and a t-shirt…..the fact that I knew I would freeze if I stopped running allowed me to PR!
Yesterday, run at -20C, 10km in Vilnius, Lithuania.
link to drive.google.com
Hmmm. What if I’m in Oz, where it’s summer, and it’s hot? Can I tell you about the hottest run I had? It was over 30 degrees C! We’ve been having a brutal summer.
-21C at 08:00 in Kiev, Ukraine. Sun is shining. Revolution goes its way.
However, I saw one outdoors runner today in the morning and he was running slower than some people are walking at a such ‘chilly’ weather. I vote for a treadmill!
My coldest so far was last Tues night I ran in the middle of the snowstorm that hit the NE hear in the US. We were about 6 inches deep and about 20 degrees. It may have been 17 when I ran a 5k on Thanksgiving but that doesn’t count as winter right?
I went on a quick tour through Olympic National Park in November. The whole tour was way colder than I would have liked but day 3 especially sucked. I got rolling in the morning with my Garmin reading 0° C and it never went past 6° C all day. With the overnight forecast predicting -9° and wet I ended up renting a motel… I got home a few days later and had a cold for a week…
18°F but wind chill 3°F.
My first Gran Fondo (Ryder Hesjedal’s Tour of Victoria). It started out sunny and warm and I only had on short sleeves and short fingered gloves. As we rode away from Victoria, a storm moved in and the temperature dropped 10 degrees (C not F, I’m Canadian) and started pouring. By the time we were heading for home, my hands were so numb that every time I wanted to shift into my big ring, I had to reach over and pull with my right hand because I couldn’t push hard enough with my left hand alone.
I’m hoping this qualifies. Since we get lots of snow out here in the interior of British Columbia, I nordic ski during the winter. The bikes are hanging on the wall. The coldest ski so far was at -18°C back in November. Since the speeds are lower than cycling (not tons of glide at that temperature) and I have the proper clothing, I was in fact quite toasty.
It was not run/bike/swim, but 30 km iceskating at -16 C (feels like -22 C)
A windy 65km ride on the road bike. Avg temperature 0.8C according to Garmin 810
45 min bike to work a week or so ago in toronto
-24C (-39C with wind chill)
celsius and fahrenheit meet at -40
For my Dopey training, I had to do a 20 mile training run on a Saturday. Just happened to be the same day as a half that I had signed up to do. So I started the run at 7 miles at -1°F to the start line (where I had left my car). I then warmed up for 30 minutes until the race began, and did 13.1 miles in 6°F weather.
It’s not been that cold in the UK (so far) this winter but just after Christmas I had a just below freezing point bike ride where I (and others) found plenty of black ice.
Not very cold at all this winter up here in Sweden, but the coldest one was a premiere run with my Icebugs in December. -10 C. 24 km. Awesome shoes.
3 mile slow jog in 10F weather here in Minnesota. Otherwise mostly indoor training this Winter. Can’t wait until Spring!
Well… I haven’t been very cold yet this winter, as Europe was pretty warm up until last week, when I moved to Asia for two months for work!
So I guess my coldest moments up until now are when I get off the treadmill/bike trainer and step into the flow of the hotel AC, my clothes all soaked from sweating. 😉
-1C here in London.
Swimming in the SF bay is always cold, no matter what time of the year it is!
It hasn’t been cold yet in the Netherlands… The coldest I have run in so far was yesterday: 2 degree C weather…
Hmm.. wasn’t the coldest ride,.. but it was an interesting one. It was part of my daily bike come to and from work: 22km each way.
As an Englishman in Holland I am used to people being better cyclists than me, but the cherry on top was cycling home in deep snow. I had all the gear on for the sub zero conditions; thick mtr tyres, helmet, lobster mitts, thermal bib tights, oakley glasses with Amber tint etc.. but it was slow going.
Or so I thought.
Suddenly a mother on her citybike whizzed past. Not only was the bike rusty, but it had shopping bags laden with shopping on the back, and…… a child in the baby seat in front! (Unlike me, she was remarkably in control of her bike in the icy conditions)
So… bring on the cold weather rides.. I need to practice snow riding a lot more to save face
Coldest ride….both water bottle froze
According to Garmin Connect my coldest activity was a 91km ride I did last weekend. link to connect.garmin.com
I usually keep my apartment warm and cozy at 22C and outside it was 5C for the first hour of my ride but it got much better later on. In part because I stopped to buy shoe covers which were due long time ago! What a difference those make.
With those post I discovered that when analyzing activities in GC there is no option to add a column for Temperature. I think every other measurement is there but not temp.
Thanks again Ray for this site! The job you do is second to none! Congratulations.
Basically every time I’ve run for the past few weeks, cuz we are having the polar vortex here in Pittsburgh.
Being in San Diego, the coldest I’ve been is maybe a brisk 45 degrees on a bike ride… but it warmed up into the 60’s by the time I was done…
Cold span here, commuting in 20F weather. About 20 degrees colder than normal. Yeah, not that cold for those on the east coast but no one has any gear for that weather around here.
I ran about 30km on Jan 20 in Helsinki. It was a sunny Monday below -18˚C/0˚F. I blogged about it with 10 cool pics!
Ran around in 45 degree weather in the morning of Los Angeles. Winter weather 🙂
I ran 13.1 miles in 39 degree weather. Not too cold, I live in south Texas. For us it’s freezing.
Went for a run in Bend OR when it was in the teens in late Nov! First time ever running in temps that cold. Thank goodness for Omni-tech!
I ran around the block 2 times (.9 miles) and came home with frozen hands. Found out the temp was 20 degrees with a very heavy wind. Las Vegas doesn’t get much colder than that.
Mud and snow trail run last Sunday. Temps from freezing to -10 C with rain and snow all the way. It was fun!
The coldest run was 27k in the alps at -12*C…brrrr…
Living outside Barcelona, I cannot say that any of my workouts were particularly cold, especially as I am Canadian….the coldest? Probably -2 so far this year, commuting to work on the bike in the dark in the morning. Start out with a big downhill, and while that’s not Canada cold, it’s nippy!
This morning here in the snow in Uldum in -4 Celsius. While it was not mend to be a mud and snow trail it became one :).
And to think that back home in NL it is +6 C.
Dec 2013 was the first time I went to DC for a week and it had just started snowing there. I was in the last month of my preparation for a marathon in January 2014 so was forced to train in the cold & windy conditions without proper winter gear. It was nowhere as cold as it is now but as I live in Mumbai, it was the coldest I had experienced.
Live in sunny Brisbane but went home to UK over Xmas. Completely forgot how cold it could get out running and forgot to wear hat/gloves on my first run back. Brrr! Didn’t make that mistake on subsequent runs…
Coldest Run in these parts was a brisk 47 In Fort Lauderdale a few weeks back…but it was seemingly -20 everywhere else! Make it Rain DC! Thanks!
21F weather track workout in Charlotte
Hill work at -5 C. It was fun!
XC-Skiing in Paloheinä, Helsinki at -18c and after that i went to smokesauna and swimming to lake Kuusijärvi, Vantaa.
Swimming in a hot spring by mount fuji at 55 degrees ferenheit. Sorry, don’t mean to rub it in. Thanks DC rainmaker!
Halfmarathon in the snow at up to 2100m altitude in Arosa, Switzerland
Two hour LSD run for marathon preparation where my hands were so numb when I got home, I couldn’t turn the key in the lock. Cue awkward wrist/key/whole body rotation antics.
It’s been unseasonably warm in England, but I did get caught in a ridiculous downpour in December, couldn’t see a thing, headtorch just reflected water back at me. Was drenched within a mile or so, 9 miles in it was probably a bit much.
Warsaw, Poland, -12 on last Tuesday run…
20 k run in -6 C
Ran a 5k trail in the snow, -5 c 😀
Been a warm winter, but swimming outdoors in a 50 meter pool is always going to be a bit of a chilly experience…last week my fingertips got all white had to get the blood black in with some running hot water…it worked, with a bit of a buzzing feeling!
Coldest swim: every single (27 C, swimming pool) swim, when you wake up at 6 am for it.
Coldest run: maybe -5 C, it has been a mild winter in Poland
Coldest bike… no biking this winter, unless you count the +10 C ones during Christmas holiday in Florence.
-22 celcius 30km biking last weekend on the frozen sea surrounding Helsinki, Finland. Sun was shining and it was absolutely fantastic sight after the dark season of the winter here in north. Enough clothes on and i was just fine 😀
35F on a trail run
Hi Ray,
I generally don’t run under -10*C (which happens quite often here in Romania). I much prefer ski-mountaineering in those conditions. Anyway, two weeks ago, I had a 12km run by -5*C and I think that it’s my best for this winter…
With that, please consider me in (with finger crossed) 😉
Erwan
I live in Northern Ireland. Beautiful place but not noted for its sub tropical temperatures! Did a swim in May that was 14 degrees C! Ironically the sun was splitting the sky for the cycle and run, and by the time the run had started, (along and over a beach) the wet sand had started to evaporate creating a strange almost horror film like fog/steam effect…surreal, and cold.
Early Sunday morning, was 15-20F, but that wasn’t bad. About an hour into the ride it started raining hard, soaking me, and then it turned to hard hail. I turned around but I had an hour of riding to get back home with the wind freezing the water on me and the hail hitting me in the face. I’ve never felt so cold in my life. I couldn’t feel my feet or legs or hands. Worst. Bike. Rice. Ever.
Hasn’t been that cold here in Göteborg, Sweden so far this winter. The coldest run for me is probably the -5C easy run I did last week.
52 F / 11 C riding through a cold spot in SF Bay Area mountains. Yeah, rough, I know.
4 miles at 8 degrees in 5+ inches of snow. Didn’t wear the Yaktrax because, “it’s been a week since it snowed….surely the sidewalks are clear by now!” Lesson learned…
About -17 deg. C, last year on a long sunday run. It was snowy, chilly, windy. Not nice at all:)
In Warsaw, Poland.
Coldest would be through the streets of Osaka. Most of the time its bearable, except for this one windy day with 40km/h winds.
I live in Southern California, went for a ride back in December. It was in the 70s when I left the house, stayed that way as I headed up CA39. When I got to West Fork road, still in the 70s. About half the way down West Fork the temp dropped to the low 40s, with a fair bit of wind, and in dense shade. It was nothing compared to the temperatures people in some areas are getting, but when you’re dressed for a moderate sunny day and hit temps like that, you get a bit chilly!
Light run on wednesday, -15C
Last tuesday -1 C. That’s all.
Nearby Antwerp (Belgium) it has not have been that cold this winter. I did not had to take out the real warm clothing.