So yesterday I did a quick post just updating my run. However, as I began to warm-up inside I noticed that my fingers, especially my pinky, ring, and index fingers on my right hand were tingling and starting to go numb. I also was freezing and I couldn't seem to get my hands to warm up. I actually put on a pair of gloves and my cat, Bandit, decided to lay on top of my hands after I had put on a sweatshirt and buried myself underneath several blankets. I also cranked the thermostat to 75 because 71 in my house felt like the arctic tundra.
The problem? Well when I went for a run it was ideal temps. A little above 50, no wind, and the sun was shining bright. It was absolutely fantastic. However, as time went on and I began racking up the miles the temperature dropped. I was wearing a tank/t-shirt combo with compression capris, my fleece running jacket, and knit gloves. I decided not to wear my cold rated under armour gloves because it wasn't that cold when I left and I didn't want my hands to get hot. The problem was that it was now about 15 degrees cooler than when I had started my run. I don't mind running in the cold, but my outfit did not protect me as much as it should from the cold outside. In particular, I spilled water on the tips of my ring and pinky finger. I noticed as I was making my way to my house at the end of my run that my fingers were cold and in particular those two fingers were really really cold. Since I was almost home I didn't worry too much. When I got home I warmed up as best I could. But then my fingers began to tingle and go extremely numb. I did my best to bring circulation through them, but my right hand in particular was having a lot of difficulty. About an hour and half later, I finally warmed up. The culprit, frost nip.
So what is it? Well I am going to summarize the information I googled and found from the Mayo Clinic website. If you want more complete info then go there.
Frost nip is the first stage of frostbite. It is a cold injury to the surface of the skin. Luckily it doesn't permanently damage your skin like frostbite does, but it can still be painful and provide a lot of numbness and prickling while the skin warms up. Side note: my fingers still feel weird on the pads where you can see the marks of frost nip on them. What happens is that the sub layers begin to freeze, mine really froze from where the water had hit my glove. Redness occurs on the skin as it thaws out.
How to prevent it? As a runner, don't wear the knit gloves, instead always wear the proper cold weather gear. I was lucky because mine could have been a lot worse. From now on, any winter running will involve me wearing my cold weather gloves. What is ironic is I just read a review about my gloves and how they prevent frostbite and other cold weather injuries. Also, know the symptoms of frost nip and warm-up immediately if you begin to develop them. Remember to never rub the area, but instead to warm them in area that is already warm, I used my cat and that did the trick. You could also try sitting on your hands or putting your hands underneath your armpits, which is an area that is really warm.
Symptoms:
-Extreme cold or warm feeling
-Waxy look to the skin
-Skin begins to redden
-Blisters begin to appear
So, lesson learned...I have to do a better job of protecting myself, especially when I now have to be running for a really really long time.
I hope you find this useful
Until next time, happy running!
- Sources: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/frostbite/DS01164/DSECTION=symptoms
Just checking in. I set out to do 10 miles, but ended up with 9. I remembered my water, but forgot my energy gel. I started feeling kind of weak by mile 8 so I packed it in and walked back to my house. If I had remembered my gels, I could have easily run it in about 2:15. I also was a little lazy and ran a predominantly flat and downhill course. I figured the race in on a boardwalk and while I shouldn't ignore hills, I don't need to over train on them either because that is how I screw up my legs.
Total Miles Run this year: 33
Until next time, happy running!
Today I did it. I pushed through and I ran my first 14 mile run. and it hurt. It might also be because I was breaking in new shoes as well. Not the most ideal situation, but I just got new running shoes for Christmas and my favorite pair was no longer serviceable. Ideally you slowly integrate your new pair into your running routine, but the padding in my old shoes was shot and my shoes were causing a flare up of plantar fascitis and lower back pain. So I wore the shoes, and then I ran and ran and ran and then I ran some more in them. My feet and legs are tired, partially because it was a really long way and partially because breaking in new running shoes is always a chore and sometimes painful.
What I have learned:
1. I need to train harder. I will be the first to say that while I have been active and I have been making a lot of strides in my mile time, I am not doing enough. That became abundantly clear when I hit mile 12. Now I am not sure how much was shoe related, but I felt like I need to work on building up my endurance. I am going to need to maintain a quicker pace. So I have to re-evaluate what I am doing and figure out how I can implement more long distance running into my weekly schedule.
2. I need to drink more water. I ran 14 miles on 2 energy supplements and 1 bottle of water. I was exhausted and a little thirsty.
3. I really like Old Navy Compression leggings. They just happen to be on sale this week and they were so warm and well fitting. I have said before that I am a UA girl. I love the stuff, but can't be the price and the quality of the ON workout wear. For about half the price you get a pretty good product. They stay put and they have the added benefit of helping to be slimming. I also have the bootcut versions, but I think they are more of a 50 to 60 degree weather pant. It has the same benefits of the leggings, but in cold weather I need the fabric to cling to my calves to keep them warm.
I am going to try and run 7 to 8 miles Tuesday and maybe a short 3 to 5 miler on Thursday. I have also been reading about the benefits of weight training and I am going to try and lift two days a week. Next week is a 15 miler. I just got to get to 20 because apparently if you can run 20 miles, then you should be able to complete 26.2. I am sorry, I don't get that logic. I should be able to? Ugghhh...I hope the powers that be know what they are talking about when they say this!
Until next time, Happy Running!
