Showing posts with label winter runs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winter runs. Show all posts

Monday, January 16, 2012

No Shortcuts


January 16 - I saw this the other day on Pinterest:

                                               Source: flawlessfitnessbook.com via Amy on Pinterest

It fit perfectly with my training run on Saturday. My running partner and I had made plans to run 8 miles on the local trail, one of our favorite routes. We had a mini-snow storm on Thursday followed by some freezing rain on Friday, but Saturday looked good. Cold temps, but no bad weather forecasted.

Before heading out, I gathered the necessary gear for my run.


This is what we saw when we got to the trail:


No problem, right? Wrong. The freezing rain had left a layer of crust on top of the snow. When we ran, we crunched our way through the four inches or so left over from Thursday. We did this for about 1.5 miles. It was like running while doing knee-ups at the same time, so we ditched the trail. After quickly discussing our options we made our way out to the main road and started an alternate route hoping we could make our 8 mile goal.

We ended up combining one of our regular routes around the lake with a loop through the village added at the end. Although we missed out on our trail run, we did get some amazing views of the frozen lake.


Lesson of the day: Anything worth having is worth fighting for. We did not give up on our run. We did not quit because it was hard. We are training for a half marathon. There are no shortcuts. 

What obstacles have you had to overcome during your training?

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Snow Day & Ice Cleats


January 12 - Today I got the heavily anticipated email stating Due to the weather, all schools...will be closed today. It was snow day number three. No school for me. No flights for hubs. Just a good 'ole fashion mini-snow storm in New England. I was still up early (after telling the kids to sleep in - go figure), so with the downstairs to myself for a couple of hours I did my first day of the #100Ups Challenge that I read about on INSPIRUNNING's blog along with my usual NTC workout. Then I relaxed with my coffee, the computer, and the news while waiting for hubs to wake up.


Fast forward. After lunch, I FINALLY coaxed hubs into going on a snow run with me. It was still snowing a little but it felt pretty good out. Hubs offered a pair of snow & ice cleats which I happily accepted to try out for the first time. Made of rubber each cleat slips on over the running shoe and has six spikes positioned to help with traction. I've never used them before so I was excited to test them out.


We made our way easily enough down the plow-guy deprived driveway through about six inches of snow. Our short out and back run of three miles would take us on the main road briefly before turning off onto a side back road, and then on to a dirt road that led to a pond.


The roads were semi-plowed so it had that chunky feel. Where the plows had passed, the cleats worked really well. No slipping at all. Feet felt firm almost like they were on pavement. Where the roads were still snow covered I felt as if I were running in sand. It was just hard. The snow was the powdery slippery kind and it made my legs really have to work. I never felt like I was going to fall or slip though.


Our snow day run was a lot of fun. We had to jump in the snow banks as cars passed, wait for the snow plow to push by a couple of times, and almost help a car that was stuck pulling out of a driveway, but definitely worth going out and avoiding the treadmill. I love the white wonderland that is created after a fresh snow.


My next run is another training run for the half marathons coming up. Running in the snow today was a great workout in my training. It wasn't speedy or lengthy, but it was challenging. And, you never know about the weather in New England. You have to be prepared for anything!

Do you run in the snow/bad weather or head to the treadmill?

What was your weather like today?

Monday, March 21, 2011

March in like a Lion - out like a Lamb

Today was the start of my second week of running outside trying to master the hills of New Hampshire and it began with a "winter weather advisory." Perfect.  Here was my first big test of becoming a New England runner. I promised myself that once I moved my runs outside, I would not falter if faced with bad weather.  Countless times I have passed runners out on the road in frigid temperatures, snow, rain, and immense heat.  It can't be all that bad if they do it, right?  Bonus for me, my husband and the dog were both available to keep me company today.  This was a huge boost for my motivation.


With snow flakes finding a landing zone on my face and my support team in tow, I found myself thinking about the old weather belief I was taught growing up that if the month of March starts out cold and stormy it will end warm and sunny: in like a lion, out like a lamb.  On a day like today, as I watched my running shoes disappear into the snow covered road, I am hopeful that this classic lore holds true - not just for the weather, but for my running also.  Right now my running is still rough and wild completely lacking the smooth gentle calm of the more experienced runner.  Each day will advance to potentially better weather, and each run will hopefully progress my abilities.  Maybe by the end of the month the huffing and puffing will become the mere exhalation of hard work.

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