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?
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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!
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In Cincinnati we have been a part of this polar vortex. My running buddies and I have gone out on several runs where the temps are in the low single digits and the wind chills are in the negative teens. Its one of those things that doesn’t get better the more you do it. It is still bitterly cold every time.
Coldest ride was 21 miles @ 22 degrees F.
My coldest ride/run in the last couple of months were about 25-28ºC. Dont have winter around here! :D
I ran in 25 degrees in NYC in Central Park. That’s one of the warmest days we’ve had in the last month, so I figured it wouldn’t be thaaaat bad. It was…
Last weekend I was running with my dog when it was about -12C. For my husky snow is like cocaine;)
Bad Homburg, Germany, coldest we had here this year was just -2°C, so nothing to brag about, works actually nice for me running, compared to too much heat.
-20C one long run Sunday my first winter of 30k race training. Ugh.
Berkeley Marina swim in 51F water. Couldn’t feel my face afterwards.
About 8C in my first half marathon in São Paulo. Anyway, it was a great day!
10k Training Run. On the half way Temperatur Droped from 16 to 1 degree with rain freezing to Ice
Coldest bike ride was -21 degrees with the windchill……however I was on my trainer in my basement :). Hey, don’t judge….it was cold in the basement too !!
25° 10K run in Atlanta about a week ago. Triflex tights made it pretty comfy.
It was my first time in the road, it was also the coldest morning I recall, probably 2ºC which is kind of rare, even to Bogotá, which is at 2600-3000 meters over sea level.
In November, I rode on November 15th for 2hours and a half at 8°C (without windchill) and I ran in the winter of 2012 probably at around -20°C but since then, I prefer running on a treadmill at the gym in winter :)
My best, and worst cold weather run was boxing day, in my new Inov8 trainers in -3 deg C with ice all over the place. I managed to slip over and got myself a nice bruise on my hip, but got a 5k PB :-D
10C rideing my bike to rehab, not doing to much training this year, yet
I did a polar bear swim on 1/1/14 when it was 27 degrees out. I did a run later that day and its about as cold as I’ve been out.
My coldest run was 5 F during the first polar vertex in Tennessee
8 mile training run with myTEAM TRIUMPH. Air temp was 4 degrees with a fells like temp of -10 degrees. I was sporting the best ice beard I’ve ever had.
About three weeks ago I ran two days in a row where it was low single digits and the wind chill was -3. Thats pretty cold for Huntsville, AL.
Well, as the winter in Germany is really mild this year the coldest run was just yesterday at about 0°C – nice hill sprints with my triathlon running group.
10 miles in 7 degrees at 5am this week in icy cold DC.
Polar Vortex in Northern Virginia this month! Temperatures in the teens and a little breezy along a very familiar Russell Road loop.
12 miles, 12 degrees. New rule: The temp should always be more than the distance.
Sadly, I’ve not ridden much this winter. I rode last Sunday between polar vortex events at 50f. Used my Christmas present the new Garmin Tour to record my ride. I read about it here before Santa pulled the trigger.
I live in Wisconsin the wind chill was in the -40’s and I still road to work.
I live in Columbus, Ohio and ran during the first polar vortex that came in and it was 6 miserable miles in 5″ of snow and -15°F wind chill. A few days later I was in Tampa, FL where I ran in shorts and a T-shirt in 52°F weather. I saw people in full winter gear and they stared at me like was crazy. A day after I got back from Florida, another polar vortex hit and I again ran in snowy and miserably cold weather for 12 miles this time. By far my slowest run… Ever. Sometimes I wonder why I live here.
A few days ago I ran 5 miles at zero degrees… With wind gusts up to 25mph…the first mile was tough, but I was fine after that except for the occasional wind gust. Never regret a workout! But that was the toughest and coldest I’ve done.
This is my first winter running outdoors and I have been testing my weather limits. I had my two coldest runs this week, both around 20 degrees and closer to 10 with wind chill. Distances were 8.5 miles and 3.5 miles. My face and fingertips got pretty cold, need to try mittens instead of gloves.
Well, we are at the summer down here in Brazil, and last winter I must have faced a freezing +25C here in Recife, Brazil. Seriously, though, my coldest running ever was at Tampa, Florida, early november 2013 at about +10C…
Since we are at 8ºS here, right at or below sea level and by the Atlantic, we don´t get much temperature variation, and only two seasons. It either rains or it doesn´t :)
It hasn’t frozen here in the south of the Netherlands this winter yet, so I’ve not really completed any cold training this winter. AND I LIKED IT!
Living in south Florida means that my coldest bike ride was about a couple of weeks ago at 38 degrees. Freezing for our standards :)
-1 Celsius here in Italy.
Ciao!
Not exactly this winter, but last April actually, here in Cincinnati it was still quite cold in the morning (low 20s on occasion), when my running partner and I happened upon some ice. We slowed down and I took what I thought was a very careful step to try to just “float” across the ice patch. Next thing I know, I’m on the ground. Finished the run, but ended up with a sprained elbow and, though I didn’t realize it until months later, probably some damage to my wrist (which still plagues me to this day).
Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon – and it’s only in the teens (Celcius that is)…so really it’s probably “warm” for you guys.
Hot and humid is the theme over here.
Coldest iride n the Aussie “winter” was 0C on a ride to the local hills – rainy, windy and felt very cold.
Not my coldest run but just did the Charleston Marathon in 31 degree temp and running into a 30 mph wind the entire time!! My coldest training run was 8 degrees but at least it wasn’t windy!!
Coldest ride was about 8°, not that cold when running but on the bike without proper gloves or shoe cover I was feeling icy :)
Numerous below zero run commutes to work, I’m the guy that shows up when other people won’t drive.
Coldest run was at about 10 degrees. Nothing like having sweat freeze!
I think it was last February… the Vesuvius was full of snow and we had a 6°C on the Kayak in the Gulf… I fell because of a side-wave hitting me and since I was all sweated because of fatigue I felt a windchill that I almost fainted…
Coach “RED” shouted and woke me up just in time before the K sank down to the bottom.
I can’t say the temp because the MemBelt has no thermometer (unlike T6 or Ambit2) but I figured it was about 8°C.
Warmer than out in the air (breezing from Maestrale) but I couldn’t feel the difference because of the thermo shock of my fall.
Swimming… just trying to float there! AHAHAHAHAAH
Live in Sao Paulo and last winter I ran it was close to 40F! Not bad for European standards but pretty cold for us!
4.5 mile run. wind chill was 18 below. Unfortunatley, when i left the house, I just looked at the temp being just 4 and thought, i will be ok. nope.
Wednesday, January 29, 8º run with wind. my previous coldest run was a balmy 15º
It was 34ºc in Curitiba, i run 6.6miles
I did the Tough Guy run in the UK last week. 15k through running through mud, swimming through ice cold water, climbing ridiculous obstacles and crawling through flooded tunnels all in 5*c plus wind and rain! Was definitely suffering from hypothermia by the end.
Not much of a winter so far in Germany, so my coldest run was just yesterday evening at -2 °C but wind chill -7 °C.
Not too bad for me. 5 mile run in about 8 degrees with wind chill to about -15.
-4F (-18C) last week here in CT!
It was a “cold” 45 degrees on a 12 mile ride earlier this year.
Cold Run – 19 miles and the temp was 17*F. My beard froze and it took nearly 4 miles to get any type of warm in me. Worst part was stopping for my running buddy after 11 miles. Never did get warm again the last 8 miles. For reference, in Georgia, US. Avg in January is 34* low.
This winter it hasn’t been that bad – on January 12 I ran with my running group at -4 °C
I ran a 15k last March, and the temperature was in the 30s. It wasn’t until the end that I realized that I was having a hard time moving the muscles in my face due to the cold. Thanks for the great reviews. I’m not a fast runner, but I’ve done three half marathons in the past two years and bought the Garmin 620 based on your review.
I ran Christmas Day in 15F weather at my in law’s in Philly. Since I live in Wilmington, NC this was a huge shock to the system!
28 degrees in 20 mph winds with rain here in the UK. Pretty weak I know, but thats as cold as it gets.
Coldest outdoor activity this winter has been a morning group run. The temp was -8f with windchills somewhere in the -35f range. Got to love the below average Minnesota temps!
Miru peninsula in kanagawa, Japan a couple of days ago. -2C and winds at about 15knots.
IMLT details are now infamous
14K run in chilly -21°C. Not too bad once you’re out the door.
Coldest run? -1 at 4:45am last week. Gotta get ’em done when you can!
Mostly on the trainer these days. Tuesday night rides finished and the Friday night either hikes, snowshoes or rides. Possible ride tonight and it will be above freezing today!
Night rides are definitely the coldest but the beer and wins make up for that.
Last Sunday’s 6.5 mile trail run in Falkland, Scotland. I’ve just started running with the local Trail Running club – Falkland Trail Runners (aka The Psycho Squirrels). A great group who are encouraging a mature (53 year old) newbie and inspiring me to get fitter, faster and healthier. 6.5 miles; 2°C, horizontal rain and sleet…and we were all smiling (afterwards).
75 degrees F. I live in Central America. It doesn’t get too cold here. :-)
Because the US get’s all the cold this year: so he coldest ride this year was at 2C near Amsterdam, The Netherlands…
Minnesotan here, so you all with your cold running stories. So cute.
About three weeks ago there was cold-pocalypse happening here. Stories on the news do tend to revolve around how freaking idiotically cold it is in the winter here, but this was going to be extraordinary – like -20F air temperature, and of course worse wind chill. I’ve been a running a little less recently, partially because it is cold and partially because I’ve been working on some other projects. I wasn’t going to let the cold keep me away from ramping up my mileage though – I decided I wanted to run on the coldest day of the year.
5K later, I had a sweatcicle on each ear, a beard full of frozen, and some eye-lash icicles as well.
Lately the coldest it gets is -10F or so, and I tell myself that I can make it through, because heck, I ran when it was colder, no problems.
Right around 0 degrees F. I’ve purchased 4 new pairs of gloves this season and just can’t keep the hands warm.
Evening run in south Germany: at end i realized it was -14 Celsius…
Ciao
Coldest run was 28 Degrees F. Decision made… Move to treadmill below 32…
Chilly London weather before my winter gear showed up. only about 0 degrees but with no thermals it may have well of been -20!!!
I did my coldest race ever on Jan. 4th, a 10k trail run and it was 13 degrees when we pulled in the parking lot. A couple days later I ran and it was a minus 2 chill factor. The coldest ride was a 28 degree mountain bike ride.
Having joined a running club back in October we run in the evenings. Probably the coldest night so far was around 3 degrees Celsius so not too bad at all, especially for this time of year in the UK
Since it’s summer here in Argentina, I’ll give you the hottest :).
It was not too bad actually, close to 40°C when climbing to see the the Tour de San Luis stage 2 summit finish.
10 mile run in -10 temps. Brrr….
Christmas 5 km run at -25C ! That was cold!!!
This winter, -2 degrees C was the lowest (as it’s still no real winter here), but last winter it was about -20 degrees C.
-5 Celsius in Dezember In Garmisch Partenkirchen. Awesome Alp scenary!
Didnt go for running, but was -28 C when crosscountry skiing in Moscow, Ru.
I do 90% of my training indoors….I am not sure why, but I do. Also not sure why I decided to do a 10 mile negative split run earlier this week when the temperature was in the teens (F) at 5:00 a.m., then decided to do another 16 miler in the same conditions the following day. Day 3 (last of my running block for the week) was forced inside due to ice.
btw….thanks for all of the reviews, it makes purchasing products so much easier….knowing all the details with an unbiased review.
Not entirely sure what the temperature was, except it was incredibly cold. I had just got into cycling and a friend of mine was going for a ride so I joined him. After 10 minutes it started hailing, luckily the start of any ride I do is 30 minutes uphill, so I didn’t notice it too much, however, once we reached the top of the hill the temperature dropped even more and there was some serious wind chill as well. We didn’t turn back, although we did shorten the route to take out the big descents as I’m not sure we could have taken them – especially as we were both in shorts and a short sleeve jersey! Never again!
Been injured the last couple of months, so the coldest training session I’ve had this winter was when the local gym’s heating system failed for a day – hope it still counts:)
Run in 20 something and rain. Not bad compared to others but the arctic for those of us in Texas!
Not sure if ‘cold’ is the right word for a number of runs I did in January in Manchester (UK), esp lookin at the North American winter these days: just above freezing (1 C / 34 F) – that’s still not bad considering temps around Christmas had been over 10 C / 50 F…
It wasn’t that cold, but I stepped in a big, slushy puddle in the first quarter mile of my last run. 5 miles later I had very cold toes!
Coldest Run was about 12 degrees F, which was cold for sure. But the sun was out and not too windy, so really wasn’t bad at all.
Coldest ride was was 13 degree celcius. I think that is the coldest it has ever been here in the Philippines.
-12 degrees celsius a 25km long slow uphill from chamonix, france. brrrrrrr
I’ve been in a blizzard that shut down Denver, another blizzard that was actually a little worse that didn’t shut down Cleveland, and running during a cold snap in Michigan where my beard gathered ice. Michigan was my coldest run with temperatures in the teens.
I also live in far south Georgia, so cold is a rare issue for me. The heat gets pretty bad in the summer, and I disagree strongly with you. The Australians can complain all they want. I’d much rather have temperatures below freezing than over 90. I can always put on an extra layer and run harder. Hot weather just saps the spirit and makes me feel slow and pathetic. I actually gain weight in the summer because it’s so hard to get motivated to go out and do something when it’s that hot.
To Enter: Give me the lowdown on the coldest swim/ride/run you’ve had this winter – simple as that!
The coldest run I’ve done (approx. -20C) was running from the parked car to the gym. Yes it was only 10 seconds long. Yes I am a wimp. And yes I’ve done all my exercise including running, biking and weights at the gym all winter. I have a few 5K races coming up in February and March, so I will have to start running outside soon.
I flew back to Scotland from Texas in November completely forgetting that it is not quite as warm in Scotland at that time of year. Equipped with a pair of 5″ running shorts and a running vest i hit the streets of Lanark at 6pm. Locals were looking at me like an alien had just landed. People were out with layers upon layers on, even people driving their cars had layers upon layers and here was me pounding the pavement with blue legs, blue arms and a bright red nose. It had one benefit, i finished my run a lot faster than i expected. It was great to get back into the warmth for a cup of tea!
I thought about running this weekend just to say I did it in the Great Blizzard of ’14 here in Atlanta, but I didn’t. I did wear gloves on a run a couple weeks ago though.
Coldest? I was on the trainer in my basement when it was -18 outside. Manged to warm up to 20 degrees 2 days later, so a mountain bike road ride in the snow was in order.
I did 100x100s this winter with the local tri club. Wasn’t as hard as last year!
Living in Sweden means a couple of months each year with cold conditions. This year has been quite “warm” so the coldest training is some 20K running in -11 ºC (12 ºF). Last winter was colder… did a 4h bike ride in -21 ºC (-5.8 ºF).
It was this past Tuesday, track workout, temperature 22 degrees Fahrenheit. 10-15 MPH winds. Did 1200 repeats with 400 recovery. When I was cooling down it started snowing.
On Tuesday morning my Garmin 510 registered -1.5F. I had a 15 mph headwind while riding 20+ mph. Wind chill was around -35F, but I had 3-4 layers on which were enough to complete my 14 mile commute to work.
Previous Monday went out for a run when it was -11 C, but with all the wind and humidity felt like -17 C. Even after 3km of warm up it felt cold and then decided that some indoor activity will be more comfortable that evening.
Doing a 5 mile run a couple of days after an ice storm. I fell turning a corner and got soaked. It was a looooong 2 miles back to the house.
Just yesterday after snowpocolyps Atlanta, I ran in 5 degree weather to retreave my wife’s car that she abandoned in a store parking lot after her 9 hour commute home. The normal trail that I run on was closed for repairs so I ran along a 4 lane road. An insane proposition any other day, but I had the road to myself except for the abandoned school buses and jackknifed trucks. Not thinking I grabbed my camelback for quick hydration (we don’t get temps this low often). It would have been the same if I had strapped a bag of ice to my back.
Beach to Battleship 2013 swim. It was hovering right around freezing at the start, had to scrape ice off the windshield to get there!
January 3rd, start my 12k run at 6am.. -25C on the termometer.. quite cold!
Go big or go home!