Perfect Running Weather

on December 3, 2013

Great day for a run. <3 <3 <3

The cold snap that passed through the city is over (thank goodness). Sixty degrees and cloudy is my favorite version of winter. Smile

Side note: This guyâ€™s study found that the ideal temperature for running a marathon is roughly 50 degrees. Innnnteresting. All I can say is that Iâ€™ve ran a 50-degree marathon and a 19-degree marathon, and I can tell you with 100% certainty that 50 degrees was better than 19.

My jogging stroller review.

So, although the weather was great, I was suffering because we spontaneously decided to go to kettlebells last night. I am SORE. S-O-R-E.

One of these days, I will graduate from the 10 pounder. Kristien used a 20 pounder, and I was very impressed â€“ especially considering that it was his first class and he made it look so easy. I hear â€œ20 poundsâ€ and immediately think â€œthatâ€™s basically Henryâ€; I canâ€™t imagine doing Russian swings with a big boy like Henry! 20 pounds is heavy. So props to the Hus.

We did about 3.5 miles, walk/run style. Look who we came across!

She let us get really close, too.

Post-run stretchâ€¦

Donâ€™t you wish you could comfortably sit like that? I sure do.

How far did you run today?

{ 45 comments }

Julie December 3, 2013, 1:27 pm
We had some unseasonably warm weather in Iowa yest, too. I ran 3 miles. 🙂 Fingers crossed the cold front that is supposed to come thru tonight holds off so I can squeeze in another run after I get off work.
Sara @ LovingOnTheRun December 3, 2013, 1:37 pm
I ran an easy 2 miles since I am still coming back from a stress fracture! Recovery is a slow slow process!
Aishah @ Coffee, Love, Health December 3, 2013, 1:39 pm
lol your comment about comfortably sitting like Henry in that picture made me laugh. Happy you guys had a nice family run 🙂
Allison k December 3, 2013, 1:40 pm
If you are doing your swing correctly and really driving with your hips you should easily be able to swing more than 10lbs.
- Caitlin December 3, 2013, 2:17 pm
  I can! But not for long! We do all these one-minute long sets…. They kill me after a while.
  - Jen December 3, 2013, 2:32 pm
    Kill where? If it’s in your lower back then you aren’t activating the hip drive. The swing really has nothing to do with your arm strength or how much you can carry, press, or curl. It’s all about the hip hinge.
    
    At my gym the women mostly swing 36 to 44 lbs for our timed finishers. Only problem is getting tired and out of breath near the end of the interval.
    - Caitlin December 3, 2013, 2:35 pm
      Lower back – like a motherf**ker. Do you recommend that I talk to the instructor about form? Or is there a tip you can give me?
      - Caitlin December 3, 2013, 2:36 pm
        Also – no one at my gym uses weights that heavy. No one, even the men. I wonder what the difference is? When I showed up for my first class, the instructor told me to get a 10 pounder. Do you think its something about the way the classes are formatted or are you all just beasts? 🙂
      - Jen December 3, 2013, 2:39 pm
        Definitely talk to her. You are probably doing it more like a squat than a hip hinge.
        
        Here’s a good place to start. http://www.tonygentilcore.com/blog/squat-swing-vs-hip-snap-swing/
      - Jen December 3, 2013, 2:44 pm
        Definitely not beasts. While I do a lot of barbell training, a lot of the other women are casual exercisers, runners, yogis, 68 year old badasses, etc. Every type of woman. Our coach just really stresses proper technique.
        
        We don’t do full kettlebell classes. We use them as finishers to the basic training and strength training classes. However, I bet you when you fix your hip hinge that the 20 lb kettlebell is going to go flying.
      - Caitlin December 3, 2013, 2:45 pm
        AWESOME! Thank you so much for all this info, I’ll check out the link. Maybe I am squatting too much when I do it.
        
        I shall report back soon – Maybe I can use a heavier weight if I do it right!
        
        Our class is 45 minutes long – it’s a lot of kettlebelling.
      - Allison k December 4, 2013, 8:37 am
        I agree with everything Jen said. If your low back kills, something’s not right. I think the problem with KBs gaining popularity is that gyms are offering classes taught by instructors who have not been trained extensively or maybe even at all, and aren’t certified by a KB association. Example, Jillian michaels? Renowned trainer, terrible kb form.
- TanyaS December 4, 2013, 12:40 pm
  Agreed that its form. We start with 8kg (17lb) bells and I am currently using 16kg (35lb) bell after 3 years of 1-2 classes/week for swings and presses.
  
  In my experience using a bell too light can cause form issues as well.
padma December 3, 2013, 1:52 pm
Henry has such a good squat position. Most athletes would be so jealous! 😀 I feel like the colder the weather gets, the least likely I am to exercise. I need to change that asap, especially with Holiday season around the corner.
nancy December 3, 2013, 1:54 pm
Not running again yet but I did walk a solid 3 miles. I haven’t run since last March when I did my last benefit 5K. You know how life sometimes gets so challenging that there is just no energy for running? I have been getting back on track with walking and strength training. And, taking a page out of your book, I have set a goal. I promised my daughter she could do a Disney Half Marathon to celebrate her 16th birthday early 2015. I will register her for the race as soon as it opens and I will register myself too. I wanted to do a Half for my 50th birthday but life got seriously in the way (see above). I know this sounds like a long ramp up but this is the best way for me to get across that finish line. My daughter will cross the finish line potentially HOURS ahead of me but that’s ok. We are going to do this together and make an awesome 16th birthday memory for her.
RunEatRepeat December 3, 2013, 1:59 pm
AGREE!!!! I have read in more than one place that 55 degrees is the ideal running temp and would agree that a few degrees cooler is probably best for 26 miles. (And this is coming from a girl who is freezing in SoCal right now at 60 degrees. )
Ashley December 3, 2013, 2:01 pm
Ah! Henry “stretching” is the cutest thing 🙂 Good work on the kettlebells! Not sure I could even do 10lbs, ha!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More December 3, 2013, 2:04 pm
I LOVE that Henry is stretching too! 😉

My half marathon in October I think was in the 50s and I found it to be a pretty good temperature too!
Beckie December 3, 2013, 2:16 pm
Where were you guys running? It looks beautiful, even if there’s nothing green around. My sister lives in Charlotte and I know that she would love to run someplace different.
- Caitlin December 3, 2013, 2:17 pm
  That’s the trail near the Trader Joe’s on Rea Road. 🙂
  - Beckie December 4, 2013, 1:44 pm
    Great! Thanks. I will pass that along to her. I myself might need to check it out the next time I visit her.
Amelia @i_heart_kale December 3, 2013, 3:47 pm
I didn’t run outside today, but I did get a workout in at the gym. Since I didn’t get outside for activity, I opted to dine on our dock for lunch. It has been in the 70’s and sunny here in Charleston with a slight breeze on the water. LOVING this weather for DECEMBER! Woop!
Henry is too cute….looks just like his Dad 🙂
Caroline December 3, 2013, 4:59 pm
I do sit like Henry is in that picture sometimes! In the summer when I weed or when I clean things on the ground I sit like that for awhile.
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs December 3, 2013, 5:29 pm
My husband sits like that comfortably — I don’t get how it’s even possible! I’d fall over if I tried it 🙂
Laura December 3, 2013, 6:30 pm
Where do you run in Charlotte? I’m looking for a new greenway here!
- Caitlin December 4, 2013, 7:32 am
  There’s a nice one across the street from the TJ’s on Rea Rd
Amber K December 3, 2013, 7:15 pm
I remember when I was younger my little brother would play for hours squatting just like Henry. I always wished I could be that comfy in any position!
Laura December 3, 2013, 7:29 pm
I ran a speedy 3 miler tonight and followed it up with the nike training club app 15 minute ab workout. My abs are going to be hurting tomorrow!

http://www.sneakersandspatulas.com/2013/12/01/six-months-to-go/
Kim December 3, 2013, 7:32 pm
In Okinawa I would see really elderly people sitting like Henry. I was totally amazed.
brooke @ sweats & sweets December 3, 2013, 7:32 pm
I just want to be able to touch my toes like a toddler.
Theodora December 3, 2013, 11:04 pm
Oh, deer 😉
Lindsey December 4, 2013, 7:51 am
Just to echo what everyone said above, you should definitely be able to swing at least a 35 lb kettlebell! It’s all in the hips. Even if it is a full kettlebell class, 35 lbs is pretty standard for women.
- Caitlin December 4, 2013, 10:34 am
  I will ask about this during my next class! Thanks, guys!
Elizabeth @ Positive Change December 4, 2013, 8:44 am
It is so awesome that you all workout as a family! My husband and I run together on the weekends but we never have time during the week. Today I ran 5 miles, but was inside because the weather was pretty ugg this morning!
Allison k December 4, 2013, 8:46 am
I used to take a 45 minute class before I moved. When I started my light weights were 8kg and my swing weight was 16kg. After a year of class my light weights were 12kg and my swing weight was 24kg. Those weight were for one min drills. And that was using the class as exercise, not specifically training to improve, so to speak.

You are in good shape, you will progress really quickly with proper instruction.
Kristen @ Medium Roast December 4, 2013, 9:53 am
Yes, 50 degrees sounds like the absolute perfect running weather. Although, I LOVE running while it snows. Not after, because that’s when the temperatures plummets, but something about running in light snow is just warm and fuzzy to me.
BrooklynBeet December 4, 2013, 10:08 am
What a beautiful spot to run!

It’s climbing into the 50s in NYC, may have to run outside myself.
Aerevyn December 4, 2013, 10:23 am
Henry stretching with Daddy is a-dor-a-ble.

Walked a mile with the Hund this morning, who looked dashing in his holiday collar with bells. Going to the gym to bang out 2 or 3 miles on the treadmill tonight. Sweating=happy mood.

I am now contemplating kettlebelling.
Ali December 4, 2013, 10:46 am
It’s snowing cats and dogs here in Denver, so I don’t think I’m going to get a run in. My low back has been bothering me anyways.
Reenie December 4, 2013, 11:18 am
OMG…. that pic of Henry and The Husband stretching….. too cute!!!! 🙂 <3
Taylor @ Singletrackedmind December 4, 2013, 1:03 pm
I live in San Francisco where 5:30am runs are perpetually 50 degrees. And I can say with certainty that it’s perfect!
Whitney December 4, 2013, 1:34 pm
I love that y’all have family workouts! Growing up, my mom and dad would take my sister and I to the gym and we would all have a workout then go have a great lunch somewhere. I have fond memories of the time together and know that it instilled a good work ethic and how important being healthy is in me. I hope to do the same thing when I have children 🙂
Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed December 4, 2013, 3:21 pm
We call that @ss to grass at CrossFit and it’s the goal for all your squats! It’s one of the hardest parts for most people starting out, working on that hip mobility. A lot of people argue that’s bad for your knees, but it’s actually a very natural position (hence Henry and lots of babies chilling in it) that most people lose from just not doing it!
Tanya December 4, 2013, 4:44 pm
Where is this trail?
- Caitlin December 4, 2013, 8:13 pm
  Near the rea road trader joes!

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