Winter Running
Posted by Tara Sun, 19 Feb 2006 03:11:00 GMT
I am an avid runner who recently moved from the West Coast to Pittsburgh, PA. I was terribly frightened of winter here, with expectations of snow, ice, and temperatures regularly below 30 degrees. However, I am also determined to continue running outside year-round. Well, winter is half over and I’ve been successful so far. Here I share my methods for keeping motivated and warm for cold winter running.- Determination. This is abolute #1 on any list involving exercise :)
- Equipment. This is almost as important as #1. On days with temperatures under 20 degrees, I depend on my…
- “Windwall” jacket (Northface) – it keeps out wind and also provides a fairly thick, but light layer for warmth.
- Shirts made of breethable, moisture wicky fabrics – this is so important when layering in cold weather because you will inevitably get quite sweaty in some places but still not be able to take any layers off because other areas are cold.
- Turtle fleece face cover (an extra long tube that I put around my neck and face up to my nose).
- Warm fleece hat.
- Mountain Hardwear gloves (these are very warm, but soft and light).
- Fleece mittens (I need two layers on my hands to keep warm).
- Brooks Dryline thick black tights.
- ...and on snowy/icy days, Yaktrax for traction (they stretch over your shoes).
- Running partners. I joined a team with whom I run about 2 times a week. Kevin runs with me on other days. Having others to run with gives me something to look forward to and a reason to keep in shape (I couldn’t keep up if I didn’t run regularly!).
- No excuses. This is a rule no matter what the weather. I may be extreme, but I run when I’m sick, tired, busy, stressed, depressed, upset. I run when it’s raining, freezing cold, scortchingly hot, windy (I do wait out lightning storms!). I run on vacation (I ran every day on my honeymoon; some of my favorite runs ever were in Europe). I run when I’ve already been active that day (i.e., going on a hike or bike ride doesn’t mean I don’t run). Even on a very bad day, I am almost always glad I sucked it up and went for a run.
I posted in the your unning mates post, just dropped by your site and it has be the vaugest amoung of inspiration. If you can run a 3 mile in like less than 20 minutes there may be hope for me. best wishes. and congrats on your marriage (even though we've never met) etc.. etc.. hasta your site has been an intra - accessit bad latin joke. not meant in the second stretching. p.s. I'm interested in computers too, I find your GUI stuff to be of interest too, not sure what exactly your doing but if your going for a phd with it good luck and all, my interest was A.I./C.I. blahblahblah wont write an incredibly long post. Feel open to contact me but just so you know I'm an unqualified bum. William Ashley w_ashley@rogers.com