If you have been reading my blog for a while you might be noticing that recently something is missing…RUNNING!
I have a confession to make – I am not a Winter Runner. I don’t like it, won’t do it, and you can’t make me! 🙂 There are so many reasons why I don’t like running in the winter and I wanted to share them with you as to better explain why you won’t be reading much about my running these cold months.
1 – I don’t like to run in rain, sleet or snow and during the wintertime in Philadelphia, there has a tendency to be a lot of those things here! I don’t like to dodge black ice or risk injuring myself.
I mean who wants to run in all this white stuff? Certainly not me!
2 – I also don’t like all the layers that go into winter running! For me, its not very comfortable. Plus after putting on a sports bra, under armor, a shirt, jacket, gloves, a hat and all the fixings – I end up getting hot and uncomfortable mid-run. Anyone else hate that too?
3 – Aside from all the weather and clothing issues, I don’t like training for races in the Winter because most of the time I am forced to run on the dreaded treadmill – YUCK! I don’t enjoying running on the treadmill one bit, except for the tiny fact that I get to watch a show or two while I do run.
4. For me, running in the Spring/Fall are much more desirable for me because I can feel the warm rays of the sun on my face, and even get a little color while exercising. What’s not to love about that?
Those are just a few reasons why I don’t like to run in the Winter. I am much more unlikely to sign up for races that involve me training in the cold too. I stick to Fall races that involve me training in the warmer weather.
If you do have to run in the Winter and face the cold running months I do have a few posts from last year on some of my favorite running gear including my favorite running tights, shirts and socks.
Here are some of my running stats from the past year that I have logged into Daily Mile (which is a favorite site of mine!)
1,119 – Total Miles Ran
34 – Lbs Burned
0.04 – Around World
152.36 – TVs Powered
646.74 – Donuts Burned
Those are my stats from the past 10 months. I love that I have burned 646 donuts and ran over 1,000 miles! Love that! 136 of those miles were ran in July alone and 106 miles in August! Obviously that’s when I peaked my marathon training. Not many of those miles were run in the cold! Brrrr!
So there you have it. Just a little peak inside my reasons for not loving running in the Winter months. I love all the seasons and the fact that I get to experience the Summer sun, brisk Fall breezes, snowy Winter nights and Spring flowers. I wouldn’t give up all that for anything!
So just a little heads up on my lack of running posts in the near future. Don’t worry, it won’t be very long because I will be running the Cherry Blossom 10 miler in April and then hopefully training for the Marine Corps Marathon in October! Woohoo!
Are you a Winter runner or do you avoid it like me? What is your favorite season to run in?
15 Comments
Went running outside yesterday! I think the trick with the clothing is to not put on so many layers. You'll start a little cold, but then once you're warmed up you're comfortable. But I know what you mean – some days you just don't want to!
I'm an anytime runner! I love it to much to be too picky. I heard once that there is no such thing as bad weather…. just bad gear. So I just bundle up and hit the pavement.
Ohhh Marine Corps marathon! I have decided that I want 2011 to be my Marathon year (first timer, here!). I'm in the lottery for NYC, but don't have high hopes for getting in. So I'm thinking either Chicago or Marine Corps! Any recommendations?
I like the winter because it gives me an excuse to run on the treadmill and I love running on the treadmill and watching The Today Show. When I'm forced to run outside, I like it to be really hot, so August is perfect for me.
I used to be the same way but decided to sign up for my first marathon in Feburary anyway. I've learned you do get used to anything and I'm actually enjoying (most of) my training runs! I've had my eye on Marine Corps too. Maybe we could be Philly blogger training partners!
I thought I would hate running in the winter, but so far I don't mind it. As long as it isn't too windy, the cold doesn't bother me. I actually prefer it to 90 degrees and humid. Finding the right layers and fabrics to keep warm took me a while, and I think that's key. I'm sure you've figured it out though.
I'm running the Cherry Blossom 10-miler too! My three best friends and I are training together (http://bymontherun.blogspot.com) and they'll fly down from Wisconsin for the race. Want to talk about cold winter running weather! They've been treadmill bound since October.
To be honest, Winter is my favorite season to run in. It's os much more peaceful! And it helps me get through winter because I really hate it! My cousin once told years ago to dress like it's 10 degrees warmer when running in the winter. That tip changed my life. I am cold for that first little bit of the run, but then I warm up and can run at a good temperature…and I don't get overheated like I do in the summer.
The only times in the winter I dont run are in insane wind chill and when there's a lot of ice or snow that hasn't been cleared. Other than that, I've been known to run in sub-zero temps! 🙂 I think it's because I too hate the treadmill..but I also hate exercising in general if it's not running.
Oh, but I think Spring and fall are the most BEAUTIFUL times of year to run. The colors in those seasons are magnificent.
I heard that! I dread running in the winter as well…..of course, winters in Los Angeles are far abbreviated from East Coast winters, but there's still a month or so in there that I dread running outdoors.
Weirdly, I love playing soccer in the rain (or snow!) just not running.
The layers are always tricky because at some point you start to want to take things off.
There's also another reason I hate winter running that's not on your list…. breathing. All that cold air totally messes with my breathing cycle, and I find I'm shorter of breath running in the cold.
That said, while I was home in CT, I did go for a run….ONCE. (in about 10 days). Ha.
Hmm we don't really have winters in Atlanta lol. Only a few days out the year is it really too cold to run b/c of maybe 2in of snow and ice lol. But when bf and I move to Philly next yr I'm sure it'll be a totally different story!
Girl, I have become a winter runner while trying not to. I had lived in warm climates all my life until I moved to Germany. In the winter. It sucked so badly. My first 4 months there, I didn't run outside. I got so pale and was depressed. The sun didn't come out too much where I was either during the winter. It was always cloudy, raining, sleeting, or snowing. The next winter, I forced myself to run outside in snow. I signed up for the Paris marathon which made me train in the winter. I had to run over 16 miles in 2 feet of snow a couple of times, but it was worth it. I'm now in Spokane, and it isn't much better!
Some days I like winter running and some days I don't. it depends on 1) how cold it is and 2) the amount of snow and ice on the the ground. Most days I would rather run outside during the winter than on the treadmill!
I have become a winter runner in NJ – but was not when I lived in Western NY. So I am a winter runner, but with limits. I won't go out under about 20F. Surprisingly, I kind of like running in the winter – especially after this past year's hot summer (speed workouts were impossible when it was 85, 90…95…). I prefer to be on the cold side than too warm. I did well training in the winter for my first half last April; and not as well for the one I had to train for over the summer (Philly rock n' roll half in Sept). I'm hoping I can run another good half this April!
I totally feel you on this one. I HATE cold. I cringe at the thought of the icy air hitting my face. I prefer Spring and early Summer!
I totally agree! I don't like walking in the winter, my face freezes and I have to put on so many layers! I certainly prefer getting my tan on and sweating during the warmer months. See you in the Spring!
I wish I could say I was an all weather runner… but I always find excuses to stay inside in the winter months 🙂
My current excuse is probably the best yet – that I have a 5 month-old who wouldn't appreciate being in the jogging stroller in this weather. I could wake up at 5:00AM or make the hubby watch the little one after work and get my run on… but I choose to replace my running time with indoor "mom and me" stroller workouts at the mall 🙂