How can one love to get out there and run when the temps are in the 20s? Because the idea of doing that is well.....crazy sounding. After a few comments on my last post I thought about why I don't mind the weather and how I have really come to embrace it over the last few years.
Unfortunatly it's not as easy as the summer, you can't just throw on a pair of sweats and your favorite college sweatshirt and your cotton socks and shoes and go out and get 15 miles done. I invested in high quality winter running gear and it made ALL of the difference. For most temps during these short days & long nights I wear tights or Nike running pants, a Nike mock turtleneck and a jacket. That's it. It's all really lightweight, breathable, and yet keeps me warm. Over the years and lots of frozen toes I have found Smart Wool socks which are AMAZING for keeping toes warm as wool stays warm even when it gets wet. Also a light pair of gloves and a ear band usually join me on these winter runs. As the temps drop I move to a warmer jacket that I have and there are some really nice windproof/waterproof etc jackets that are out there. Jason had one by Sporthill that was utterly amazing, it blocked everything and he only needed a very lightweight long sleeve underneath it.
When you get out there in the winter, it's very quiet and the crisp air is very calming and crazily rather inviting. You can totally get away from all the craziness in your life, away from the loudness of a gym, away from the monotony of a treadmill. I will say this for sure, every run you get through in the winter makes you feel like Rocky. You'll come home and be like, "Hell to the hizzah. I got my shit out there and got it done!" It's a way better high than running 7 miles on a moving belt.
So give it a try, get some good warm lightweight winter gear and get out there and pound that pavement....or the snow whatever is on top! Enjoy all winter has to offer. It's no different that struggling through a 120 degree day in July, it's just a different kind of difficult.
Go Winter Running! Woot!
8 years ago
10 comments:
I have that Sporthill jacket, too, and it is absolutely awesome. I love it.
>"Hell to the hizzah. I got
> my shit out there and got
> it done!"
LOL!
i love running in the winter..it's so much more cooler :)
Winter running, well guess I don't have much choice. While I don't really mind it if it is calm and above 15 or windy and above 20. I do so miss the trails and back roads that can no longer be run on. Another thought for us northerners, try snowshoes. I have a pair and let me tell you it's a workout.
bob-can you switch to trail shoes for running through your trails and backroads? I know there is a version of the adrenaline in trail form.....hopping through snow should count for 2x the miles :-)
Amen, sister! Let's get our arses out there in 1 degree windchill! As long we dress for it, it's all good.
Leah and Jason, you both ROCK!
I swear by smartwool socks!!!! Last year I treated myself at christmas and got a whole BOX of socks from here: http://www.sockcompany.com/smarlonun.html
You guys are definitely an inspiration!
I decided just last night that I love running in the cold. Now, waking up and running in it is another story. But there's just something about not letting anything hold you back. While most people hunker away in their homes, we're still out logging miles.
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