But it’s a DRY cold!

As anyone who is breathing knows, this 2013-14 winter has been very cold and snowy in the Northeast. In New York, on March 18th, snow is still evident in any non-sunny place, and while we are teased from time to time with temperatures that might reach the 50s, the mercury on the following few days plunges to the single digits.  Well, this New Yorker is tired of it.

One of the disadvantages of the winter weather is the difficulty in continuing any outdoors exercise regimen.  I firmly believe in the benefits of regular exercise, and as I approach my mid-50s (slowly!) I am even more dedicated to staying in shape.  So every other day, rain or snow or sun, I try to get outside and walk or run or hike or whatever.   That being said, I did wind up missing weeks of exercise this winter – it’s just impossible to run in 3 feet of snow or to walk on ice.  So now that it’s March, I am not going to let anything get in my way.

Except I woke up this morning and the temperature was 15 degrees.  Sigh.  I am not a fan of the cold, and I find my feet turn into ice blocks after about 5 minutes in weather like that.  If you can’t feel your feet, it’s mighty tough to go anywhere.   But I got dressed because I really need to get back in the swing of things.  I put on a pair of wool socks, sweat pants, a light shirt and a oversized jacket (evidence presented in picture) so I wasn’t really wearing that much in terms of clothing.   I stretched, and off I went.

So here’s the interesting thing.  I wasn’t cold.  My feet didn’t freeze; in fact, they were only slightly chilled.  My hands were toasty.  My body was also.  And I’ve run in warmer weather (25 degrees) and been extremely chilly.  So what gives?

My explanation?  It’s a DRY cold.