Ok, so I am going to make this first post, the first true post, more about the sport, since it was the true reason I started to get this blog. God, with all the computer geeks out there, "Blog" is the best word they could come up with? Sweet Jesus, my 4 year old niece could have made that up, simply by burping.
Anyway, let me start with the lesson learned from running in the snow in the dead of Winter in the frozen Midwest, mainly, Chicago - it sucks. One would think after 35 years, I would have learned this, but, I, like an Alzheimer's patient, see the snow, covering everything, and think, "I can run in this, not only that, I can run well in this! I can tear up a snow covered trail, matching the speeds of the local wildlife. I am faster than our four legged friends and oh so agile." And then, As I start to run, my feet sink in to the snow, my shoes are wet after 5 minutes, and my running gait looks like I am having a seizure while, attempting to take in deep, panic like breaths.
Now, I ran in the cold and snow in Minnesota, and loved it. I still love running in the snow and cold. But, here's the tip - stick to places where you can get some form of traction. My left ankle is still sore from running at Waterfall Glen on Sunday. Running in calf deep snow does not build character, it does not make you strong like Rocky Balboa in Rocky 4, not his best one, and it doesn't help your confidence. Instead, you risk getting injured, looking like a goof twisting about in some form of Voodoo dance, and leaves you sore for days.
But, that doesn't mean you shouldn't get out there and run. If you dress right, and find good roads, get outside. I know the extreme low temps are dangerous, and in those conditions, find the ever-hated treadmill. Otherwise, learn to feel that cold against your body, and the short breaths you take climbing little hills, and know, that's what makes us tough. We can get used to running a good 10 mile tempo run in sub 15 degree temps. Make sure you stretch after, look into some Trigger Point Therapy products, and you will find that winter running is what makes us tough. Its what separates us from our West coast co-horts, and thickens our skin, when the race gets tough.
That's it for now. One more thing, if you run in the cold, at night, do wear something reflective. It takes way too much energy to curse and flip off every single car that almost hits you. Trust me. I have tried.
Stay warm.
