Why you need a Badass Runner in your life

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In: Running
Don’t let Laura’s “nerdy, all business” persona fool you.

This Margaret Atwood-loving teacher is badass to the core.

Case in point? On Saturday she called me out for even considering running inside. It was only -24, she said. Get your ass moving outside. Laura had just returned from a nice neighbourhood run. She was feeling pretty invincible. I, on the other hand, was not.

Her “runfie” on Facebook put us all to shame. Really I had no excuse. If a super busy working momma of three can get her ass out the door then I could. I just needed that extra push and that call out on social media.

So I ran a lovely 11K along the main drags in northeast Red Deer. The cold didn’t bother me too much because I had dressed in enough layers. That’s the key for any winter run – dress for the conditions. I was slightly worried about Sunday’s run because the temperature was supposed to be -30C and colder.

I was right to worry. Most of the country is feeling the beginnings of a deep freeze. Hello Winter. The temperature was actually -38C with the windchill. Laura and I planned to run with the Running Room group at 8:30 a.m. I glimpsed at the temperature before tossing my iPhone on the bed at 7 a.m. Laura texted shortly after to say she’s excited to run. Lovely. 
The Running Room was practically deserted when we arrived. Usually it’s a hotbed of activity for the Sunday morning runs. I guess the other runners got the memo “stay in bed, it’s too cold to run outside.” Another runner showed up and the three of us decided to run 10K. We agreed that if it got too cold, we would turn around. 

Guess what?

We didn’t turn around. We ran a nice 11K along the streets near Red Deer College and in the surrounding neighbourhoods. The roads were reasonably passable. My three layers of pants and upper body clothing did the trick. We were lucky because there was little wind.

 

We received a lot of applause on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for our efforts. Others, on the other hand, questioned our sanity. Obviously we would have stopped if there was any real danger. Laura and I are experienced winter runners so we know our limits.

This weekend I needed a BIG PUSH out the door. I am generally a solo runner because most people annoy me (just kidding) and I like the sound of my own voice in my head. But there are times when I crave distraction and conversation. It would have been so EASY to blame the weather and opted to run inside or not at all.

Thankfully I had Laura in my corner. She said, “friends don’t let friends run on a treadmill when it’s only -24C outside” or something like that. Laura is one tough chick/badass.

Badasses can motivate us to step outside our comfort zones and inspire us to do better and do more. Life is too short to be standing on the sidelines wondering “what if” and regretting not taking a chance. You can apply this to running as in life.

Are you a badass? Do you have a badass in your life? 


What’s your “cold limit” for running in winter?

Need a little more info? Read this official guide on how to be a badass.

10 Comments

  1. That's super badass. I am definitely not that badass. I stayed inside my warm house but I applaud your efforts for sure!

  2. Love this!! I have no cold limit, and almost always will pick a run outside over inside. I totally agree that if you dress for the conditions, it really isn't bad.

  3. You ladies are cray! But then again, I feel like being a Canadian runner needs you to be slightly insane to run outside during our winters haha.

  4. CRAZY!! I am basically the opposite of badass. I head indoors at a breath of wind or when temperature drop below -5!

  5. Yeah, you put me to shame by a long shot. I haven't ran since the snow hit. I would love to see a post from you about properly dressing for various winter temperatures. I'm just too scared of getting out there and freezing my butt off, even in -5. Haha!

    1. ha well it wasn't entirely my idea to get out there. I would have rather drove to Penhold. It actually wasn't too bad :

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