Steeling for hypothermic half

Originally designed for benevolent purposes, no really.

Balaclava. The word inherently has an edge to it, a dangerous one. To hear the word is to imagine all manner of violence and avarice, sometimes simultaneously. The image bank of robbers in Snatch or British SAS storming the Iranian Embassy in London or a raft of terrorists ingrain the belief of the beleaguered balaclava as a tool for menace.

But no matter, there were times this week when a balaclava I wanted… not for reasons nefarious or random acts of violence, simply as a survival tool. For the first time, in a very long time, I’ve been running in the winter, in the cold, in what the rest of Canada enjoys and those who reside on the south coast of British Columbia rarely get to experience.

Cold is not new, having lived in hot spots like North Bay, Kapuskasing (at the time the cold weather testing capital of North America), Timmins, Quesnel and Prince George. These are places where the art of layering is so vital – is it a three sweater day or a four sweater kinda day?

Years of living in Victoria – which Wikipedia describes as having ‘a mild warm summer Mediterranean climate’ – might have diluted the toughness but definitely not the stubbornness. Mocking those who wear parkas in the City of Gardens, while flowers bloom, never grows tiresome. Trips up north are always welcomed, no matter the season. The difference being it is one thing to walk around the downtown or sprint to start the truck, and then back inside while it warms up; it’s another to be outside and running for a length of time.

Now part of this desire to run in such crisp weather is due to ensuring the Christmas season does not interfere, too much, with training for the next run. It’s called the Hypothermic Half, put on by Running Room across the country.

Here’s the nub: everyone’s been cold, everyone can conjure up a concept of hypothermia and what it means – toes so cold you don’t want to remove shoes in case digits fall off; hands that no longer seem like they have opposable thumbs; teeth that make a noise like Washington’s wooden teeth chattering. Everyone in Canada knows what hypothermia means.

However, I’m racing in Victoria where it’s more of a theory than a practical concern. Where are some of the other races?

• Calgary
• Edmonton
• Ottawa
• Winnipeg
• Halifax
• Regina
• Eden Prairie, Minnesota (Never been; sounds cold)

There’s a good chance the race in Victoria will see people in shorts and singlets, not due to some Polar Bear Dip induced moment of mania, simply as that will be the weather. People will be on the golf course, for sure. So guilt dictates trying to feel a hypothermic moment.

Which brings about the balaclava moment this week, as the first time out the door it’s about -12 in the Interior, then add in the wind chill and it’s like -14. And, yes, it’s a dry cold. It’s the hair in the nose freezes, cheeks feel like knifes can be sharpened and eyes are crying – all before hitting the end of the driveway – sort.

These are my lessons, admittedly unscientific, learned about winter running:

• Layering is vital. Don’t be brave. My running pants alone were not going to do it; so I threw on a pair of track pants to add all important second layer. Up top, couple of shirts with a good running shirt closest to body. Gloves and a good toque.
• Sunglasses can be extremely helpful. For those who have not gotten out into the colder climes, it is often associated with the sun – which is bright – and the reflection causes sun glare so spectacles are good. As well, the glasses act as a protector for your eyes from the cold wind.
• Reduce your stride. The surface will not be uniformly flat, it will be full of edges and you’ll never quite know where there might be a sliver of ice (and it only takes a sliver to send you sailing). So shorter stride will improve your balance and impact when running.
• Chances are per KM time will be down a bit. The unevenness of the route will make that inevitable and slightly slower is far better than wildly injured because the need for speed sent you crashing.

Having spent a week running in the great white outdoors, I can say this and I’m not going to tell any porkies – as an experience, everyone should try it but as an every-day occurrence? I’m happy to live in the place that does not require a balaclava to enjoy a run.

So, the guilt is assuaged and I will carry no shame around the Victoria Hypothermic Half, only respect for those doing it in far tougher conditions.