This is the blog post formerly known as the Wednesday Round Up. I think the reason is obvious. From here forth this last Wednesday of the month link up shall be known as Run It. Ya know, because that’s what we all do – – run our house, our professions, our workouts, the world, etc.
The topic this month is winter running because it’s winter and we’re still running because of course. Whether you run on a treadmill or outdoors matters not, it’s that you’re putting one foot in front of the other during some of the darkest and dullest months on the calendar.
Since there is enough misery in the world lately, let’s focus on the 8 BEST things about winter running:
No. 1 – – It’s Cold
Yes, this is a positive thing people! I’m not sure about you but I tend to heat up when I run. This is a welcome fact during the winter months and not so much when it’s already warm outside. Even if you’re on the treadmill, it’s probably somewhere chilly like your unfinished basement or garage so you still get to enjoy (yes, enjoy) the cold air without all the nastiness of actually being outside.
Happiness is…
No. 2 – – New Clothing
Do people in southern California have two distinct running wardrobes? I think not! One can never have too many tights, wool socks, hats, gloves, mittens or neck warmers. Think about those poor, suffering women in the sunshine states who only have shorts and tanks to mix up their wardrobe with. So sad.
You don’t need these mittens in Hawaii!
No. 3 – – Snowshoes
Snowshoeing provides runners with an entire new season of races! At least one woman I know in this link-up has already participated in two such races and has placed second female each time.
I own a pair of Tubbs running snowshoes and use them every time the boys have had a snow day. They sled up and down the hill and I do hill repeats. Everyone wins.
No. 4 – – Cross Training
Needless to say, running in the snow is hard. It’s like a little strength workout for your entire body! Forget about keeping pace, forget about using all your already overused muscles and just run. Plus, it’s absolutely gorgeous out there right after a fresh snowfall.
Really, you should try it.
No. 5 – – Time
Since running in the snow is harder and is working different muscles (see above) you can actually spend less time doing it and still get the same, or even better, of a workout and the benefits that go with it. Need to up your endurance? Take a run in the snow and see how quickly you get out of breath!
And, don’t worry about what the neighbors think. Chances are, they already know you’re crazy.
No. 6 – – If You Hate It, You Can Leave
Not too many runners chose to come from a warmer climate and run in the snow but, plenty of snow-bound runners plan timely trips to tropical destinations to get a good dose of Vitamin D and then head back to snow country.
Running in Las Vegas in November? Hell yes!
In fact, I planned two such trips this winter and, although I love basking in the sun, I will be happy to return to the cold. Yes, I will, I promise you.
No. 7 – – Warm Food and “Recovery” Drinks
Big bowl of chili? Yes, please! Hot Toddy to wash it down? Oh yeah!
All in the name of “warming up” after being outside in the frigid temps. You deserve it.
Let’s just say I never make this stew in July.
No. 8 – – Transitions
No, not the ones in triathlon but the ones from one season to the next. There is something about acclimating your body through the steely cold of winter and then truly appreciating the spring thaw. You can make tremendous mental and physical gains from pushing through a tough winter of training to ready yourself for a spring goal race. Plus, you appreciate the hell out of the summer once it finally and mercifully arrives!
The winter cap/bathing suit combo look is not easily pulled off in warmer climates.
[Tweet “8 best things about #winter #running! #train4life #runit”]
Please give a warm welcome back to all my blog friends who participate, and drop all kinds of running knowledge, right here where you need it. We’re here for you runners!
ANGELA | HAPPY FIT MAMA
NELLIE | BROOKLYN ACTIVE MAMA
LAURA | THIS RUNNER’S RECIPES
CARLY | FINE FIT DAY
SARAH | RUN FAR GIRL
[Tweet “Got questions about #winter #running? We have answers! #runit #roundup”]
What is your favorite thing about winter running or just winter?
Least favorite?
If you live somewhere warm, tell us something awful about it. Please!
As sad as it sounds I think my decades on the east coast would have been FAR MORE FUN had I known to dress properly.
WHY DID NO ONE YELL PATAGONIA OR NORTH FACE OR CAPELINE (ok that one I cant spell :)) MY WAY??
I had no clue. I was always freeezing and damp.
It’s not sad, it’s TRUE! You learn so much over the years about how to make it tolerable 🙂 I’m still learning a lot about cycling and swimming that way so you are not alone.
My favorite part of winter running? The looks that I get from people as they drive by in their toasty warm cars. Yeah, that’s right. I’m a crazy running badass!!!! Lol! Actually, they probably leave the badass part off and just think I’m absolutely nuts. Oh well!
I have to agree with the insane part because I get the same looks!!
My one goal with winter running is to keep going through it. The minute I stop, or start running inside, I cannot get myself to go back out there!
I hear you! It’s funny that I can RUN outside for an hour or more but then, after I shower and go back out to run errands or something, I’m whining about being cold within like 5 minutes.
New clothing! YES!
I always like that I don’t come back sweating a storm. This was a great and hilarious post.
So true about the sweating!! Where were you when I was writing this? LOL – I’ll have to add that to my next one!
Ok, I’m probably going to hate myself for this in a couple of weeks, but where the hell is winter? It’s going to be a runfession but you’re hearing it first…I kind of miss the snow! I do love a good snow run and I’ve had one this year. It’s kind of messed up. Oh, but that whole climate change thing? Nah.
I want to try snowshoeing!
You are 100% right on!! If it’s going to be cold then I want SNOW!! I have only had one snow run myself and it was amazing. There was also very little fluffy snow when we have been snowboarding so there’s that too. Maybe we will get walloped next month? And, of course, we will complain like crazy 🙂
I don’t know what you mean by “climate change?” LOL
You haven’t tried snowshoeing??? As soon as you get snow, rent some and get out there!
I think I need more mittens and gear, thanks Allie for making me wanna shop–again! lol! I need your attitude when it comes to winter running. Running in the snow around these parts is highly dangerous because people will ABSOLUTELY think I’m out of my mind haha…but now I’m tempted 🙂
I’m not sure I can condone running in the city in snow. Maybe in the park? I don’t know anything about your city snow running issues – sorry!!! But yes, get more mittens and a neck buff asap! There are at least 3 posts on gear today – LOL!!
Ha ha ha ha… you crack me up. I hate winter running. The good thing that comes out of it is that once spring rolls around, we’re going to be running laps past all the fair weather runners. SUCKAHS.
I was actually thinking about you running in your frigid garage on the treadmill so, even when you’re “running inside” your in outside temps! You know how to work it mama!!
This is hilarious! I especially loved this one “Think about those poor, suffering women in the sunshine states who only have shorts and tanks to mix up their wardrobe with. So sad.” This is perfection! who doesn’t need 4 pairs of lined leggings and three neck sweaty thingys.. I forget what they are called. Thanks for this!
I once visited Florida in November, and thought that I had been running in the cold for so long, that a hot / warm run would be welcome! I was wrong and dying! It’s so different to go from our 30’s to their 75s with humidity. I always block out the humidity !
I’m so glad you could get a good laugh 🙂 And yes, neck thingys describes them perfectly!
So true about the humidity. I will take year round running in the north before summer running in the south. The humidity will a kill a runner! Here’s hoping there’s none in Hawaii!
I love how positive you are about winter! Thankfully, this year has been pretty mild so far… I can handle it. But I’m never happy to come back to cold after a warm getaway!
I’m dying laughing over here with your line about neighbors thinking you’re crazy. Running during the winter rains (like, when it’s justtttt enough above freezing to be rain and not snow) gets crazy looks from passers-by here. I usually smile and wave at them, and they just look at me as if I have a screw loose.
Cold weather running is my favorite! I like temperatures in the 20-40 range. Anything above 55 is too hot. I actually sort of enjoy the cold snaps here because of all the fun gear…just as long as the cold snaps don’t come after the rain and everything’s iced over.
Yes!!! The mental effort of getting out in the cold and snow and ice and getting it done? Huge. Likewise, training for a fall Marathon in the dead of summer helps so much with race day performance. Give me cold weather running ANY DAY over summer though!!
I can’t relate to this at all! I live in Texas and we literally never had a winter this year… I think I wore a jacket 3 times? It’s unbelievably hot and humid all the time. I’m totally living vicariously through you all up there and have been doing cryotherapy to give me that amazing freeze sensation. LOL
have an amazing time on the islands! aloha owahu kona banana!!!!
My favorite part about winter running is not having to get up at the break of dawn (…..or before) to do a long run before it gets too hot. I’m not a morning person, so it’s great for it still to be chilly later in the day!
Sooooo… SoCal running. on cooler day I wear a t-shirt instead of a tank top. Mwhahaha! Come visit!