Thursday, November 20, 2014

Snow Problem, Just Run

Posted by CheapRunnerMike

She said I can't go back to America soon
It's so goddamn cold it's gonna snow until June
Yeah, they're freezin' up in Buffalo stuck in their cars
And I'm lyin' here 'neath the sun and the stars.
-- Jimmy Buffett

We may not have gotten dumped on quite as bad as Buffalo here in Southwestern Ontario (we are less than a 3 hour drive from Buffalo), but it does look like we are now into winter running season!

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Once I mentally wrap my head around the idea of running in the cold again, I'm pretty much fine with it.  I just break out my winter running gear and keep hitting the paths.  They are a bit slippery right now, but I'm lucky enough that they plow out the big park in town, which happens to be close enough that I can run there from work or home.  I just throw on my tights, jacket, gloves and toque and I am good to go for miles.

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I've been out in the snow twice already this week, wearing my regular Kinvara 5 training shoes both times.  On Monday we had our first real snowfall and it was super slippery…pretty dangerous on some of the downhills.  Yesterday I was back out again and the paths were much better…still snowy but not too much ice at all.  I was able to actually feel the ground and get some traction, helping me put the power from my legs to the pavement.  That was fun because it meant I could run fast Smile

Tuesday was set to be a strength workout, with 6 x 1 mile repeats at 6:40 on the schedule.  It was also brutally cold outside and the paths were in no condition to get anything other than junk miles in.  Reluctantly I took to the treadmill in the gym here at work to get my session in.  I got all kinds of looks from the gym regulars who have never seen me running indoors.  They figured they finally found the temperature that was my breaking point.  I must say though, having a structured workout on the 'mill really helped.  All too often I will resort to the treadmill with nothing but a distance and pace in mind…a workout really helped to focus and I think that kind of structure is good for me.

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So in celebration of my new love appreciation of the treadmill, I have allocated space in my drawer at work for indoor running clothes.  BTW, it is totally normal to have a section of your office at work dedicated to your running gear, right??

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I think I may make more of Tuesday's strength workouts treadmill workouts…with the weather being so unpredictable these days, I need to be flexible about how I get my miles in, and especially those quality workout miles.  Look at me expanding my running horizons Smile

Anyone else have multiple pairs of running shoes and extra running clothes in their office?

6 comments:

  1. Kerry @cookcleanrundreamNovember 20, 2014 at 10:01 AM

    I totally have an office drawer dedicated to my running/cycling. In the summer time I have work clothes in there to change into after I bike commute in. I often take advantage of the treadmill at work. It's much easier to get it done there before I head home to the kids. Good job!

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  2. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't run at lunch time...there is just so much going on in life that it's the only chance I have to get out during the week.
    Glad I'm not the only one with an "office dresser" :)

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  3. WooHoo!! A new treadmill convert!! (well, partially, right?!) Glad you found a way to safely do your strength workouts when it's too slick outside!

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  4. Convert?? Not quite the word I would use ;) It's a tool that I will use more often this winter as needed though, I'll go so far as to say that. I'm a LOOONG way from a convert!

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  5. i guess that i don't really count in this category since i work from home ... but the treadmill is only 12 inches behind my office chair and i have my dumbbells, skipping rope and therabands (for AIS) within reach of my left hand (even as i type this)!

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  6. Nice Patrick, that's my kind of work environment!

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