Funny thing was that right after making my post in this thread the other day I jogged the 3.5km down to my daughters school in -12C, -18C with wind chill, in shorts and a wool sweater, then sat and watched her play for another 30 minutes adding just a windbreaker and wool hat and wool blanket from my day pack before walking the extra 1/2 km home. I wasn't uncomfortable, but I knew it wasn't sustainable. What was interesting was how tired and sore I was the next day, not in a bad way, but you really have to get yourself in shape for winter. I think you have to give yourself time to get readjusted to the cold each winter, probably mentally as well as physically, and in terms of digestion as well. I think if you are already active and in good shape at endurance activities you can probably adapt quicker. I'm not in top shape right now, so I was overdoing it for sure. There are other adaptations that take place besides energy metabolism, like lower blood volume in winter, which I thought was interesting. I'm not sure how that plays into altitude conditioning. In some ways cold weather conditioning and altitude/endurance conditioning seem to conflict.

Bottom line is I think it makes sense to give yourself time to work back into things gradually, including cold conditioning and winter activities. Besides physilogical reconditioning, it does hurt to give yourself time to relearn the knowledge and skills. On the subconscious and automatic level also, perhaps, the brain might need some time to get back into the swing of things. Not sure. It's an interesting thought. A little shock treatment don't hurt now and then though. Everything in moderation, including moderation. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />