Is It Spring Yet?

1/14/11

7 miles easy

1:07

9:34 avg pace

Since my run on Tuesday, we were lucky enough to get 6 more inches of snow.  Wonderful.  I couldn’t bear the treadmill today so I slapped on the YakTrax and went outside.  Apparently those 6 inches on top of old snow made for a near impossible run.  I had no traction (even with the YakTrax) and was barely moving in some spots.  I eeked out 5 miles and went home and did another 2 miles on the treadmill.  Here are some pics in case you think I’m being a wimp 🙂

I asked myself for the millionth time why I’m training for a spring marathon.  Didn’t I learn my lesson last year?  We had about 4 feet of snow on the ground and finding plowed areas to run was rather interesting.  Did I loose my mind (again)?  Give me summer running any day over this.

If you are training for a spring marathon (or just want to run outside) and you’d rather throw yourself on a kitchen knife (my sister-in-law’s saying which I think is dead on) instead of doing another treadmill run, here are some tips:

1.  Plan Ahead – We all know the hourly forecast on weather.com is a runner’s best friend but the weekly forecast can be too.  Check it out and see when the warmest days are that week and schedule your runs around that, if possible.  I prefer to do my long runs on Saturdays but if I see warmer temperatures on Sunday, I’ll make the switch.

2.  Improvise – You go out and find your favorite running route or trail covered in snow and ice.  You may need to run around (pun intended) and find a different, safer place to run.  Some routes are plowed and others aren’t.  Knowing this ahead of time can help.  Last winter I ended up running back and forth in a lovely, plowed industrial area during a long run just to rack up some miles.

3.  Dress Right – Keep in mind you are supposed to dress like it’s 20 degrees warmer.  Think lots of sweat-wicking layers.  If you are still unsure, check out What Should I Wear? on runnersworld.com

4.  Beat the Mental Blahs – It’s tough to get motivated and leave your warm house for the frigid cold.  Getting your butt out the door is the toughest part.  But you made a commitment to train for a race and those miles are not going to run themselves.  The first mile will suck but you will warm up eventually and will not freeze to death.  I promise 🙂

5.  Start Slow:  So you made it out the door and take off like lightening.  Probably not a good idea.  You just went from breathing in warm air to sucking in large amounts of cold air and your lungs are paying the price.  It’s best to start off slower in the cold weather and let your body acclimate to the temperature.  Give yourself a mile or two to warm-up.

6.  Refuel:  Hooray!  You finished your long run and all you can think about is getting a hot shower.  But…remember the importance of refueling?  This is why chocolate milk is my go-to choice for refueling.  I can drink it in no time and be in the shower within 5 minutes of walking in the door.

I have a 15-miler on tap for tomorrow and I will be running on a plowed trail!

Happy Friday!