I started running last spring (May-ish). I'm consistently running around 3 miles each run. I've been running outside almost exclusively, with a couple of exceptions earlier on in my couch to 5k training this summer when it was super hot out.
It is cold here now, too cold to run outside. I've been dealing with the cold for the last couple of months by wearing extra clothing but I think we've reached the point where extra clothing isn't going to be enough, unless I want to run in a ski mask and down coat (I don't, really). I ran this morning on the treadmill and it was torture. I like to be able to pace myself by how I feel, and that's harder to do on a treadmill (I can slow down, but it's a pain). I also really dislike staring at the same window/mirror for 30+ minutes, it's boring.
What do you do in the winter to avoid this? Do you just suck it up and run on the treadmill? If so, how do you keep yourself entertained? I can't imagine doing this 3x a week for the next 4+ months. It sounds like it will be a daily uphill battle if I do and I'm afraid I'll quit. But maybe there is something more fun I can do to make it less torturous.
If you don't run on a treadmill, do you do something else? Is there another cardio option that will keep it so that I don't have to start from scratch next spring with running, but don't have to run as much in the winter?
I've switched to another form of working out. I hate running in the cold or the treadmill. I don't feel as motivated on the treadmill to actually get anywhere.
I've been doing yoga or pilates at home. Roll out my mat, choose a video on Hulu and I'm done in 30 minutes. To get my cardio up I do some jumping jacks, burpees and knee jumps.
Once I get my gym membership, I might add in swimming to keep my cardio up. I really like swimming for cardio and it works out my whole body.
I love running in the cold... my "too cold" cut-off is probably below 25 degrees. I wear warm socks, warm running tights and a jacket, and gloves and a hat. If there's snow on the ground, I put Yak Traks on my sneakers.
When I run on the treadmill, I try to make it more interesting my doing intervals- just changing the speed and setting mini-goals keeps me going.
I have not run much in the last couple years, and I can still run farther than I could when I first started running. A lot of running is mental, and once you know you can do it, you're never really starting from square 1 again. So, don't worry too much if you decide to just do something different for the winter and get back to running in the spring.
Post by keweenawlove on Nov 27, 2012 13:00:16 GMT -5
I just run outside through the winter. I have a couple long underware tops that I layer with a running jacket depending on how cold the day is. Then tights and windproof running pants for the bottom. On the REALLY cold days I have a buff to cover my face but I don't use that until it's below zero.
If you want to stick to treadmills, do you have an option where you can watch TV while you run? That's the only thing that gets me through longer than 15 minutes on stationary equipment.
Post by gibbinator on Nov 27, 2012 13:02:58 GMT -5
Take a couple months off - sorry not helpful
Gym memberships are too expensive for my blood and it's not exactly safe to run outdoors on ice. I'll probably start back up again in March. I do have an elliptical at home which normally sees some winter action, but I'm way too lazy with my free time now that the baby's here
I do my shorter weekday runs on the treadmill because I hate getting all bundled up for a short run and I don't like running outside in the dark, alone. For that, I watch netflix on my phone while running.
On Weekends, I do my longer runs outdoors. Lots of layers, nothing bulky. After 20 minutes or so, you tend to warm up and then the rest is fine.
He bundles up in cold weather gear. Tights, layers a jacket over his regular clothes, headband for his ears, beanie & gloves. Whatever it takes to get him warmed up, and then he is fine.
I do my shorter weekday runs on the treadmill because I hate getting all bundled up for a short run and I don't like running outside in the dark, alone. For that, I watch netflix on my phone while running.
On Weekends, I do my longer runs outdoors. Lots of layers, nothing bulky. After 20 minutes or so, you tend to warm up and then the rest is fine.
I do pretty much the same thing, even in the summer since I hate running in the humidity.
How cold is it? You probably still can run outside (without a down coat), but it will take appropriate clothing.
You should be able to find fleece-lined running tights. For the top, layer layer layer. Get a good hat (I got a Nike one with a little ponytail slot that's amazing). For gloves, I like the cheapies than you can get at the drug store. I actually only wore a balaclava once, and that was because of the wind. Otherwise, a light smear of Vaseline on your face will prevent windburn.
My coldest run ever was 10 degrees/windchill of 1. Gear was: running tights (regular since I didn't have fleece-lined), yoga pants, fleece pants; two long-sleeved tech shirts, lightweight tech jacket, fleece pullover; gloves; hat; vaseline on face; wicking socks; reflective vest; blinky light clipped to the back of my pants.
You can also get YaxTrax to put on your shoes if you're worried about ice and snow.
There are TVs at my gym. I guess I can watch that, but I'm afraid nothing interesting will be on at 6:30am. I guess news will be better than staring at the wall, haha.
I do hope treadmill running can help me pace better. Maybe I can focus on increasing my speed since I'll have more control/immediate feedback.
Keweenaw, I'm impressed you run outside in the winter (since you have my climate, obviously!). It is so cold out today! I was willing to run outside in the 20's and 30's but this morning it was 11 degrees when I was on my way back from the gym (didn't check before I left). That's just painful to me. I suppose I could invest in some even warmer clothes but I'm hesitant to put out the kind of money it would take to get quality gear, especially right now with our budget stretched for the holidays.
He bundles up in cold weather gear. Tights, layers a jacket over his regular clothes, headband for his ears, beanie & gloves. Whatever it takes to get him warmed up, and then he is fine.
I probably missed it, but how did MrBAMF do in his marathon?!
he came THIS close to BQ'ing. He was in B-group and the 3:05 pace team was in A group, so his option was to pace himself, or try to ruuuuuuuuunnnn and catch up to them. :N: He opted to pace himeelf, which really was prob for the best. There was no way for him to get up to the pace group. He thinks if he had tried, he would have blown out on that attempt and had nothing left for the last couple of miles. So he kept on his pace really well and came within 2 minutes of his time. He's happy, but we REALLY need to find him a fast and FLAT BQ'er for this year! Maybe Albany, Ga.
His friends are starting up a new group in the area this year, and I think DH will be on the 'board' or whatever they're going to call it. Once I have the info, I'll PM it to you for your DH!
I watch videos on the treadmill, which helps a lot. I've also decided I'm going to start running over lunch. If it's sunny out and I'm wearing the right gear 30-40* isn't horrible, and since it's chillier out I don't get as red and sweaty which makes returning to work easier.
I run outdoors. The key is layers and buying cold-winter tights.
In the 30s the other day, I was out in a pair of cold-weather compression tights, a cold-weather compression shirt, a long-sleeved shirt layered over it, a sweatshirt, and gloves. I skipped the ear warmers but I'd normally wear those too. In the 20s or for shorter distances in the 30s, I'll skip the sweatshirt and do a windproof jacket and a pair of yoga pants for a second leg layer. Also, wool socks!
You can wear a scarf too but I don't like wearing one. The colder it gets, just add more layers or get insulated pants.
I try to run outside unless the road conditions (ice) are too bad. I wear Yak-Traks on my shoes, and have very good outdoor running gear. Winter specific tights, baselayer tops and running jacket, with gloves and a hat are normally fine. The only times I choose the treadmill are when its just too cold to be outside for extended periods, like single digit temps and well below zero wind chills factors. Then I go to the gym and use the treadmill and watch TV while I run.
Post by patches31709 on Nov 27, 2012 13:29:39 GMT -5
I've yet to find my "too cold" limit. Probably somewhere down around 0. I wear a face mask and sunglasses to keep the cold wind out of my eyes, so pretty much it's just a little bit of forehead and some of my cheeks that are exposed.
Unless it's below zero, I run outside. Fortunately it doesn't get THAT cold her very often, but I have run several times in single digits. I bundle up in my thermal Nike Pro running gear, plus another layer or two, and hit the road, even if there's snow on the ground. Icy conditions are about the only thing that keep me inside.
I ran through last winter (Canada, and I'm in a snowy area) when training for a half, and probably 95% of my runs were on the treadmill. My gym has TVs, and they are willing to change channels if you request, but you learn what shows are on at 6-7 in the morning if you're there a few times a week. Lots of old sitcoms air in syndication that early in the morning. I also watched music videos, and got really into some cheesy teen pop artists which then translated into more music I could download for my iPod.
In my area, it's cold all the time in the winter, but more importantly it's snowy and icy almost all of the winter. Short of getting yaktrax as pp mentioned, I'm scared that I would slip and fall, since my coordination is low at the best of times. I feel much safer indoors.
Good points. I'm going to have to explore what is on at 6:30am. My gym has a TV at each treadmill, so at least there's that. I'm also getting an iPod for Christmas (to replace my shuffle) so hopefully having some playlists and such will help.
Anyone know anything about listening to podcasts? I regret to admit I have never listened to one and I'm not sure if that's something you listen to on a iPod (I assume, given the name, lol).
I am encouraged by all of you running outdoors in cold cold weather. Maybe I need to suck it up and run outside. I agree with those who said they won't run in the snow/ice, though. I have a feeling I'd kill myself. Thankfully we don't have any of that yet, but I'm sure it is coming. It always does
ahhh yeah i know the midwest cold (I'm from Nebraska), I still run outside, my running partner has no problems with it and ribs me mercilessly. I have a warm fuzzy neck gator I wear when I run (iIuse it snowboarding too). If the roads are bad I won't, I'll do the elliptical instead. It does hurt my lungs though, and I run a lot better in warm weather.
I've been listening to podcasts! Right now I'm listening to heart of darkness, but I've also listened to short stories. There are a lot of options!
Do you get them from iTunes, or somewhere else? I should check this out. I think that would be better for me than TV and music sometimes pumps me up but doesn't really hold my interest for an extended period of time.
I've been running as late in the day as possible, to maximize any solitary ray of sunshine. Can you run during your lunch hour at all?
I also bought warmer running clothes, including a neck/face thing that skiers usually use. It helps slightly warm the cold air I am breathing in while I run.
I do not own a treadmill and do not belong to a gym, so I'm trying to keep this going for as long as possible. If I stop, it's back to exclusively doing yoga for me.
I tend to just do short, speedwork type runs to stave off treadmill boredom. The pyramid run is my favorite... the time goes by really fast.
5 minute warmup sprint 30 seconds jog 30 seconds sprint 45 seconds jog 45 seconds sprint 1 min jog 1 min sprint 1:15 jog 1:15 sprint 1:30 jog 1:30 sprint 1:15 jog 1:15 sprint 1 min jog 1 min sprint 45 sec jog 45 sec sprint 30 sec walk 30 sec 5 minute cool down
That's a 30 minute workout. Each 30 second to 1:30 interval is 10 minutes, so if I want a longer workout, I add another interval or two.
Keweenaw, I'm impressed you run outside in the winter (since you have my climate, obviously!). It is so cold out today! I was willing to run outside in the 20's and 30's but this morning it was 11 degrees when I was on my way back from the gym (didn't check before I left). That's just painful to me. I suppose I could invest in some even warmer clothes but I'm hesitant to put out the kind of money it would take to get quality gear, especially right now with our budget stretched for the holidays.
Boy Meets World is on early! Sometimes E has something somewhat entertaining on.
This morning was cold! I think it's easier when you get eased into the cold instead of going from 50s to 0 within a week. The dark makes it worse. I got a headlamp which helped a lot too. We should try running together one of these days!
It does end up being an investment for the right clothes. Target has some fairly good ones. Sometimes I hit good deals at Sierra Trading Post or Backcountry Outlet.
I despise running on the treadmill (I think I've only done it once in the past 5 years) so I just keep running outside. Although, when I can get to snow I prefer to xc ski. (Needless to say I have a lot of cold-weather clothes.)