As you know, I am a total wimp when it comes to cold! I hate being cold and I will use it as an
excuse not to do something any time I can.
I will tell my son “it’s to cold to walk to the bus stop, let’s drive”. I
drive around at the grocery store until I find a really close spot so I don’t have
to spend to much time outside. I have
even went as far as using valet parking when I take my daughter to doctor appointments
at the hospital so I don’t have to walk from the garage to the building in the
cold. I know--total cold wimp!
Since the Disney Princess Half Marathon is at the end of
February, I have resigned myself to the fact that, yes, I will indeed have to
suck it up and do some running in the cold. While some runs on the treadmill at the gym
will be alright when it is raining or snowing, my marathon training will be so
much more effective if I run outside. Since
runners have to be in their corrals around 4 am in Disney World, spending time
in the cold now will get me used to it for the big day.
To make this a bit easier (or at least harder to get out
of), I have done a few things. First, I
signed up for the winter running series with a local running club. They offer eight events ranging for 5k’s to
ten milers from November to March. Next,
I got a running buddy. She is also
training for the Princess Half and we are both using the Jeff Galloway plan. We meet on Sundays at 2 PM. If I wimp out, I will be letting her
down. I also bought some good cold
weather gear. I got a bottom layer Under
Armor shirt, a fleece and a wind coat.
All of this gives me no reason not to run in the cold.
For some inspiration, I came across a really good article that I wanted to share with you. They
offer great tips as to why running outside in the cold is beneficial to
you.
Do you run outside when it’s cold? How do you make it more bearable? Do you have any cold weather running tips to
offer?
A dream is a wish…
--Amy
I love running in the cold! Once you adapt, it is much better than running in the heat. If you need a cold weather running buddy, give me a shout! And I'll see you at all the winter series races!
ReplyDeleteMuch rather run in the cold than the heat! When I started running, I would wear layers and layers. Now? My last run was a short sleeve shirt and a fleece jacket...and I kept unzipping the jacket! Cold is so much better to run in! You'll get used to it. For Princess, I wore short sleeves and by the end of the race, I was too hot. There will be a temperature difference during the race and be careful of the temperature difference in training and race day. Not much you can do, but be prepared for it.
ReplyDeleteWhile I would also rather run in the cold than the heat, it can be tough on those really chilly days! It sounds like you have a great plan to get your runs in- having a buddy is probably the best of all!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great advice Chris and Marie. I will get used to it, in time. The heat does not bother me as much as the cold. I did the Rail Trail 10 miler in August is 85 degree heat and 100% humidity. My time was better in August than it was in November. Dressing for the Princess will be a challenge! Hmm..guess I better start working on that...
ReplyDeleteDon't fret about the Princess yet...I ran it this year and it was very very warm...shorts and sleeveless shirt and capris and t's at the parks the rest of the week. It's hard to predict Florida weather this far out...it's alot like the weather in Texas where I live. Last week I had the heater cranked, electric blanket on and there were signs of frost in the yeard in the morning...this week it's getting close to 80 degrees for the high. Crazy. It's such a rollercoaster! So, make sure you have a plan B for your race outfit if you are planning it far in advance.
ReplyDeleteThose temps at the 10 miler are the reason I DIDN'T do it! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI'm a wuss with cold weather! I'll run in AL in 100 degree weather but when it hits the 30's I'm struggling to get outdoors to run.
ReplyDeleteThe heat did not seem to bother me. I felt like the loosened up my joints a bit. That is a big problem for me in the cold--I feel really stiff. The Christmas lights this time of year are a great distraction.
ReplyDelete