Sunday, January 23, 2011

Home

After a truly amazing week in Antigua, we got home late last night to a harsh dose of reality. We quickly traded the flip flops and sunscreen for winter boots and mittens. Hubs was in denial at first:


For the record, it was -11C (12F) when we arrived in Toronto. Quite an adjustment from 30C (86F) in sunny Antigua. *sigh* (I know you're probably not feeling too sorry for me right now.)

We finally walked in the door at 10:30 PM, shoved our bags out of the way and collapsed in bed. By this time we were both having second thoughts about our plan to get up early and meet the group for a long run. Sleeping in, having a lazy morning at home and getting a head start on laundry seemed a lot more appealing. Somehow we found the motivation to get up, bundle up and show up for the run.

There was an extreme cold weather and wind warning, with an actual temp of -22C (-8F) and a biting "real feel" of -30C (-22F), the coldest weather I can ever remember running in. Considering we were on the beach less than 24 hours prior, it was quite a shock to the system.

Given the conditions, we collectively decided on a shorter run (19K/11.8mi) consisting of three separate loops starting and ending at the Running Room, so we were never too far from un-frozen water and warmth if needed. Breaking the run up this way also made it a bit easier to handle mentally, but it was far too tempting to call it quits after each loop. The cold was excruciating, especially on my face which was only be covered so much. Somehow, with a little complaining and a lot of support, we made it through.

And now I'm ready to go back to the beach!



More trip pics to follow!

38 comments:

Marky Mark said...

Wow-doing that run after a week in paradise takes a LOT of discipline-good for you both!

Unknown said...

What a huge change of climate for you guys! Good for you for getting up in the chilly weather to run though.
Welcome home!

J said...

Welcome back!! The run sounds brutal! It sure was cold today! I ventured out to the gym this morning and the temps have only dropped since then! Can't wait to see more pictures of the beach!

Unknown said...

brrrrrr. cold running is difficult, it must be even more so just after arriving home from paradise!

Kim (Book Worm Runs) said...

Ha, ha I love the pic of hubs cleaning off the car in his Hawaiian shirt and shorts :) Props to you for running in that...especially after a week of warmth and sun!! Welcome back :)

2 Slow 4 Boston said...

I'd say time to find a treadmill with those being the temps outside.

Shawn said...

Is your middle name DEDICATION??!!
That is wonderful that you ventured out into the freeeeeeezin weather. I can not stand to run in cold weather..and cold for me is anything below 40!!! My lungs feel like they will freeze.
Bless You,
Shawn

Nicole said...

Look at you miss BA, rolling in from vacay & getting up the next morning for a run! woot woot!!! cant wait to see more pics!

Allie @ The Constant Pursuit said...

That picture of hubs cleaning off the car in that outfit is AMAZING. Stay warm! ;)

ajh said...

That is a long run in those temps. I ran last weekend in low temps - can't remember what 3 degrees maybe and frostbit my ear lobes! It would be hard to go by the warmth and not stop but that was a smart way to do it. You are hard core to forego the catching up with laundry, sleeping in etc. Can't wait to see more pics!!

Running Ricig said...

welcome back to the arctic!

Boris T said...

Welcome back to the arctic, we'll kept some freezing weather for ya/

Marci said...

Welcome back! Good job getting out in the frigid cold, your vacation pictures look awesome!

Anonymous said...

BRR! You guys are dedicated. We were complaining after a run in 0*C the other night!

Cory Reese said...

No. Way. Just reading about running with a temperature like that makes my nips bleed.

2 Slow 4 Boston said...

With those temps, time to look for a treadmill.

Tricia said...

treadmill treadmill treadmill

:)

love the last pic

Kerrie said...

OMG. That's crazy!

dawn @ running the dawn said...

i can't believe that you actually went running in those temps! kinda makes my "double digit" rule seem pretty lame....

can't wait to see the pics!

Julie D. said...

welcome home!! wow. you are one tough cookie!

H Love said...

hey pretty girl!!! welcome home!

Heidi said...

Ohhh that's a harsh reality! Uhhh, welcome back (heeheeee).

Char said...

Does it hurt to breathe when it's that cold? I don't blame you for wanting to be on holiday still. I'm having some of those urges myself.

Laura said...

Welcome back! Yesterday was definitely the coldest I have run in. Where is Spring?<!

Anonymous said...

welcome back!
u came back on the coldest day ever.
cant wait to hear more about ur trip!

Lindsay said...

Looking tan maurlene. I mean, I can almost distinguish you from the sand ;) and Maurk, needs to learn how to paurk between the lines.

Welcome home. I don't know how people survive in - temperatures. What do you wear? Everything in your closet?

Denise said...

welcome back!! it's so nice to go away when it's cold but it sucks coming back to it.

Jamie said...

welcome back! It's so tough returning home to that kind of weather. I can't believe you woke up early to run in those temps!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

BRRRRRR!! I have zero right to EVER EVER complain about cold.. UGH!!

So glad you had a great trip, you look AMAZING :)

Jill said...

We came back from Hawaii once in similar conditions - what a brutal slap in the face, huh? Think of all those warm, beachy memories when you're slugging through the dark, snowy miles :).

Gotta Run..... said...

Those temps are even crazy for me!! Way to go but you are CRAZY!!!

Welcome home.

Jess said...

I'm impressed you ran at all after that climate adjustment!

TNTcoach Ken said...

Welcome back and you're still crazy! This is the one time that laundry would have trumped running.

Emz said...

Sorry. About. The. Rude. Awakening. [weather sounds like a frozen hell. ]

Can't wait to see more photos!!

Amy said...

Welcome back! My running group moves indoors when it's under -18C. I hope nobody got frostbite!

Teamarcia said...

I hope you brought back a huge chunk of that beach! Welcome back!

Meg O @watchmegorun said...

hi, new follower! I'm so jealous, I'd love to run in antigua. That last pic is perfect weather :)

http://justrunmego.blogspot.com

5 Miles Past Empty said...

HA! The pic of your hubby cracked me up!! I can totally relate!!

Love that yellow dress too!!