Training Continues:
Even During Extreme Weather Conditions

Marion and Ross running in 12 inches of snow in southern Maine!

Recently Dr. Hauser and I traveled to Maine to visit our good friend, Peter. As you know, we are both training this year with a coach, so we both had runs that we needed to accomplish that weekend for our training. We could have said, “Ah, we’re on vacation, let’s just forget it, ” especially since we arrived in a huge snow storm. Twelve inches of snow came down in 24 hours! One thing about Maine, they sure know how to plow their snow!  We stuck it out! We were out there in the middle of the snow storm doing our runs. Yes, it took longer. Yes, we had to be more careful. Yes, we were really slow. Yes, we got soaked. Yes, we were cold. But you know what? We were proud of ourselves … and so was our coach.

Do you let the weather affect your training? Do you look outside and think “I don’t want to run outside in that weather – I am going back to sleep!” Let’s face it. Nobody really likes getting up at 5:15AM to exercise, especially when it is cold and dark outside, let alone snowing or raining.

For athletes in cold climates who run regularly, the onset of winter temperatures and icy, slippery surfaces means choosing one of two options: take their running indoors for the winter, or find ways to make running in sub-zero temperatures safe and relatively comfortable.

I don’t know about you, but many runners, including us, do not like the monotony of indoor exercise. We like running outside. Yes, we will occasionally bring our running indoors and use a treadmill or Elliptical trainer, but for the most part, we are out there, no matter what the weather. In fact, today, we opened the front door, only to be pelted with “snain” – a mixture of snow and rain. But really, this is a matter of “mind over matter.” Do you want to accomplish your training goals, become more fit, and ultimately more healthy? Or do you want to give in to the bad weather. Most of us do not have the luxury of living in an area that is always 50-70 degrees and sunny!

Running outside during the winter or early spring requires a little more preparation and thought than just putting on a pair of shorts and running shoes. Here some things that we have learned over the years.

Running in Bad Weather 1  2