It has snowed 12 straight days here and the temps have been in the 20 degree (F) or less range, 3 times in the last week dipping into single digits at night. This can make it a challenging time for running outdoors. Not only because of the cold factor, but because the running trails tend to be an icy and slippery mess! I will take my workouts indoors, but I can only do this a little at a time. Running around a track or on a treamdmill (or dreadmill as some call it) is very boring to me. I feel like a hamster caught on one of those wheels, going nowhere, but slowly in my case!
So, in an effort to run outdoors I have been forced to figure out more efficient ways to be able to run in the cold and snow! I am told that Yaktrax worn over running shoes, can help in icy and snowy conditions. I haven't tried them yet, but will do a summary if I ever do. Through experimentation over the past few winter sessions of MIT, I have found that if dressed appropriately, a cold weather run really isn't all that bad! This article by Dr. Pribut, does a great job at suggestions for dressing for cold weather running. Having the appropriate gear, plus the added motivation of meeting people for a run, have enabled me to run twice this week outdoors!
My Stats for the Week: (1/4/10 to 1/9/10):
Monday: rest
Tuesday: 2300 swim, 50 minute run
Wed: rest
Thursday: 50 minute (outdoor run)
Friday: 45 minutes on the bike trainer
Saturday: 11.4 mile run (outdoors and with hills)
I still hate running under 20°...I think mostly just all of the BULK from the 20 layers I wear :) I agree though, one can only run on a treadmill or around a tiny track for so long...
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