I guess that winter running is officially here. I usually enjoy December because the weather is mild and eases us into the cold. This year, it came on full force and seems like it’s here to stay. The onset of freezing temps happened to coincide with a week of good running, funny as that may seem. I really just wanted to run, and even though it wasn’t exactly comfortable out there, I did have some enjoyable miles.
Just Bundle Up and Run
It was like each time I ran I complained about it being cold and then the next run would be colder. Saturday brought freezing rain and ice so I planned to keep my workout indoors that day. (There are certain weather conditions that I don’t want to mess with!)
It’s also that time of year where we barely see any daylight. I get a glimpse of light when I go into work around 7:30 but other than that it’s pretty much dark. So I figure if I’m going to be running in the dark it doesn’t really matter if it’s 4:30am or 6am.
All of that being said, this week taught me that I need some better items for winter running. Specifically, socks that are not low cut so they cover my ankles, and longer tops, including a few better running jackets.
Monday: 30 minutes spinning plus PT exercises
I woke up to pouring rain and figured I’d keep my workout indoors. I followed a YouTube spinning video and then followed it up with some PT work that was focused on core and hips.
Tuesday: 3.5 miles fartlek run plus BBG abs/arms
I’m drawing a blank with this workout but I am pretty sure I did week 2 of BBG abs/arms. Then I know I ran and it was cold but not nearly as cold as later in the week. I did a short warm up and then 1 minute hard/1 minute easy, 2 minutes hard/2 minutes easy, 3 minutes hard/3 minutes easy, then repeated in reverse order.
Wednesday: 10 minutes spinning plus BBG legs
I jumped on the bike to warm up and then did the BBG leg workout for week 2. I realized my jumprope had been stored for so long that it no longer straightened out! I couldn’t use it so I just pretended I had a jumprope for that part of the workout.
Thursday: 4.25 miles plus mobility work
I was pretty much woken up by the wind, which is never a good sign. But I was itching for a run, so bundled up and braved the weather. The temperate wasn’t too bad (the real feel was around 19) but the wind was pretty strong. My mind was in the right place so this run was actually not too bad!
Friday: BBG total body plus 3.1 miles
When I saw the forecast for Saturday (ICE) I figured I could get in a few more miles along with BBG total body. The wind wasn’t as bad, but the temps were much colder (real feel around 2 degrees). I ended up doing a mini-workout to break this up and distract myself: 5 minute warm up, 5 minutes moderate x 4 with 1 minute recoveries.
Saturday: 45 minutes spinning plus TRX workout
I’ll run in the cold or snow or even the wind, but not ice! We woke to freezing rain and a sheet of ice on the ground, so I decided to keep my workout indoors. I did 3 15 minute intervals on the bike with TRX exercises in between.
Sunday: 4.1 miles plus Pilates
It was 58 degrees for this run, but there were still a few patches of ice on the streets and sidewalks. The warm air left as quickly as it came, because the week ahead will be cold once again!
Even though the weather was bad this weekend we managed to get alot done. I finished the last of my holiday shopping (mostly online) and finished wrapping gifts. I also found some time to bake some holiday cookies!
Now let’s just hope the weather improves a bit before next weekend!
What does it take for you to take your workout indoors instead of running outside?
How would you rate your running motivation for this past week?
Are you all ready for the holidays?
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If the sun were up just a little bit earlier and my clients started just a little bit later, I would totally be running outside right now. I just am a) scared of the ice and b) I kind of need to be able to use my hands! Also, it is in the negatives right now, lol
There are definitely areas that are so much colder than here, Chicago being one of them! The ice and dark mornings don’t mix well at all.
I really REALLY wanted to run outside today. But minus 9 and that’s before wind chill. Yeah, no. You’re right the longer sock is SO key for winter running. Thorlo makes a good one.
Ugh -9 before the windshill! That makes our 25 degrees today feel like the tropics!
Ahhh look at you in that Thurs pic! I can’t imagine what it would feel like to have to bundle up like that. I’m sweating just looking at you since it was in the mid 80s here all weekend. After my car sat out in the Target parking lot for a little while the thermometer read 92 degrees! I’m sure that was just because it was sitting in direct sunlight but still… it’s toasty here!
Stay warm and drink lots of tea, coffee, hot chocolate… and wine :).
Its crazy how drastically different our temps can be! This week should be a little better, hopefully not dropping below 25!
From 19 to 58 in a few days? That’s crazy! We had cold for Seattle weather this past week, which was actually a nice break from the rain. Very high winds and ice are where I draw the line on running outside now.
I think the wind on Thursday got worse after I ran. I have a 2 block walk in to work from where I park and I was falling over from the wind! And yea the 19 to 58 degrees was crazy!
I’m with you that I don’t run when it is icy! Lightening, slippy conditions, and dangerous wind all keep me inside. I saw you were in shorts yesterday and so was Karen! Here in PA it was a tad chilly for shorts.
It was almost 60 degrees when I ran yesterday! But it dropped down into the 30s again last night and now we are looking at another chilly week.
I didn’t know that could happen to jump ropes! Each week your workouts encourage and motivate me to add more variety 😉
I didn’t know that could happen to jump ropes either! I think it was also not a very good quality one- Im pretty sure I got it for free at some point!
I don’t mess with ice either, especially if there’s little to no daylight. It’s tricky to know what’s ice and what isn’t, and where the black ice is. I’ve slipped on my fair share and the landing hurts.
The black ice is the worst. Our neighborhood does a terrible job salting so it seems like ice is always a problem.
You’re looking really strong! I haven’t run outside in over a week now. I think the last run I did outside was 10 days ago. IT SUCKS. I’ll run in any weather, but I can’t run when our sidewalks are icy. We keep getting bits of snow, then it freezes, then it rained, froze again, then more snow yesterday, and then rain all night long. I tried to run outside this morning but turned around pretty quick when I couldn’t even get my footing. Not worth it. A couple more days of treadmill and then I can probably hit the roads again.
The freeze-refreeze is the worst! That happens here all the time. I hope you can get back outside soon!
I’ve been more indoors than outdoors it seems these days more because of the darkness than the cold although I did not like running in the bitter cold the one day I did last week. my lungs were really unhappy and I was freezing all day after it! I really hope the winter isn’t too brutal. I am so not in the mood.
This was a rough start to the winter! I don’t blame you for being inside- I think if I had an easily accessible treadmill I would be doing the same thing.
That is a bit strange to have a solid running week with bad weather, none the less great job lol.
Wind is my only nemesis. I have to blog about it but Sat run was shortened for a Starbucks run because of the wind.
All ready for the holidays. Even have all my runs planned out. Oh yeah and the whole gift giving and stuff lol.
There have only been a few times when the wind has been so bad that it kept me from running- but I definitely don’t enjoy running in strong winds! Im also confused that this was a good running week with bad weather… but I’ll take it!
I try to get outside everyday for some form of activity….1-mile streak runs and 20-minutes of power walking. I did have to bring the run inside yesterday (-30 with windchill!), so I did three miles instead of my usual 1-miler. Our weather is actually supposed to be warming up this week…the 40’s on Thursday are gonna feel tropical!
Its good to try to get outside a little bit every day! But definitely a smart move to run inside rather than in -30!
good job in bundling up and getting outside! It’s rare I have to deal with any ice issues, thankfully. But, it has been a roller coaster of weather of late — shorts to all covered up in layers. I’ve got a few more things I need to take care of for Christmas. I’m definitely ready for a long weekend. Thanks for linking, Lisa!
The roller coaster weather can definitely be a challenge! I was so surprised I was able to run in shorts on Sunday when the rest of the week I’ve been bundled in 3 layers.
I still have lots to do before being officially ready for this weekend! You really have been active this week, me not so much.
I do hope to get in a long run on Christmas eve with some of my pals!
That would be great! Christmas Eve seems like the perfect day for a long run:)