The Dreadmill...

I am a total cold wimp--if its below 40 degrees, I am not going out!  I think that is the Southern Californian coming out in me but I HATE cold.  I hate being cold, I hate the feel of the cold air stinging my lungs, I hate all the bundling up, I hate when my nose runs uncontrollably.  Cold and I just do not get alone!  Since I live in Pennsylvania, I can not escape it.  From November to March it gets cold here.  Since running outside in weather under 40 degrees is just not acceptable to me, I spend a lot of time on the dreadmill.

I am already starting to grow tired of the dreadmill.  Its just so boring!  I watch the clock.  One minute feels like an hour....am I done yet?  I guess I have been doing a lot of complaining about the treadmill lately because a friend tweeted me this article from "Runner's World."  The article points out some of the good things about the treadmill.  You can do hills repeats without hunting for the perfect hill, or having run down it over and over.  You don't have worry about your splits because the belts holds a constant pace. Some I will add myself are that you don't have to worry about getting hit by a car, getting kidnapped, attacked by an animal, slipping on the ice--and you don't have to go out in the freezing cold everyday!  I hate to be negative, so I am really trying to keep the good things about the treadmill in my mind when every I feel dread about hoping on.  I try to tell myself how fortunate I am to be able and healthy enough to run.

With all the good Disney races (Tink and Princess) scheduled for when its cold in good old PA, I guess I better get used to the treadmill. Do you use a treadmill?  Do you love it or hate it?

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

Cold Weather Running

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