We made it to the last week of January! That’s always exciting because this month is such a struggle. Hopefully February will fly by and then we will be turning the corner to spring. But I guess we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves. Let’s back up and talk about some of my recent running confessions (aka runfessions).
1. Running Tights vs Shorts in the Winter
In general I prefer running in shorts. However, the few times I have worn them in the winter on a randomly warm day I have ended up with chafing. I feel like it’s safer just to stick with tights or capris for now, even though there are days I could definitely wear shorts. I also worry that sometimes the temperature is not always completely accurate. It may say 45 degrees but a January 45 doesn’t feel the same as a November 45. Does that make sense to anyone else?
2. I skip deodorant when I run early in the morning
Chances are, I am not going to see anyone. I figure there is no point in wasting deodorant when I am going to have to put it on again after my shower. I barely notice that I’m not wearing it in the winter anyway. I do wear it on the weekends when I am more likely to pass other runners or possibly see someone I know.
3. Every day I am tempted to train for a marathon
Rob started training for the Cleveland Marathon last week, and I wrote his training plan. He is only in week 1 so his mileage is pretty low. I think I actually ran more than him last week. I kept thinking to myself “I could be marathon training right now…” I may be saying that now but I know I am not ready to actually build my mileage THAT much.
4. My running form is awful according to Lumo Run
Ok, so technically it’s not THAT bad. The one area I have been working on is “bounce”. No matter how hard I try I just cannot get to the recommended amount! It’s pretty minor (the goal is less that 3.25 inches of bouncing and I am at like 3.5-4) so you would think I could reduce it enough to meet my goal, but so far I’ve been completely unsuccessful.
5. Lately I have been running the same routes week after week
Every Saturday I head out not exactly sure how far I will run, so I start with the same 5-ish mile loop and then add on from there. I guess it’s nice to not really think about where to go, but I know I should add some variety!
- Do you ever skip deodorant if you are running really early and won’t see anyone?
- Do you run the same routes every week or change it up?
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I never skip deodorant! I can definitely see your point in not using it in the early morning but my underarms feel so dry when I don’t use it. I literally put it on right away just because it makes me feel like my underarms are moisturizer! Haha
I never thought about it that way before, but I can see how it could be like a moisturizer!
I run the same route every time I run outside! it’s just too easy for me to step outside and run inside my neighborhood loop.
It is just so easy to run the same route every day!
I have never heard of Lumo Run. Is in an app? That’s cool it can calculate your cadence and drop. I hear ya on the weather temperature. Especially when it said it’s 45 but feels like 34. Ok then just say how it feels, I don’t care what it is really out if it doesn’t feel like that outside.
The Lumo run is a little clip you can buy that you wear on your waistband and it links with an app. And I totally agree that there is no point knowing the real temperature if thats not what it feels like!
OMG I totally could have written this. WORD FOR WORD. Especially the temp thing. Jan 45 is SO different. It is just rude.
It really is! I can wear shorts when its 45 in the spring but not in the winter.
No deod pre-run either, when I’m going to be by myself. I feel like that’s one time it’s ok for the sweat to flow.
I’ve gotten caught a couple of times this season on 30 degree runs. 30 for me typically means no jacket but dang it was raw!
Glad Im not the only one to skip the deodorant! And some of the 30ish temps can go either way depending on wind, sun, etc.
I have a few loops of different distances in my neighborhood. Just last week I was thinking how bored I was with running in the neighborhood. Since we have no snow, I’m heading out to my trails!
What is this Lumo Run that you speak of?
Ive been thinking about getting back to the trails since the winter has been so mild! The Lumo run is a clip that you wear on your waistband, and links to an app. It measures all sort of form stuff and then recommended exercises you can do to improve!
I feel the same about the temperature – even though it may be “warm” it doesn’t always feel warm. I tend to run similar loops too, and on certain days. I know it’s probably not good for me, but it works.
One less thing to think about, right?!
Deodorant is optional for early morning winter runs. Totally optional. I have several routes of varying distances that I do, but I seldom ever do the same ones back-to-back because I crave variety as much as I crave sunshine.
Thank you for saying its optional! I definitely agree.
LOL on skipping the deodorant! I still put it on out of habit I think. January has been a tough month so grey. You are right that 45 in January is not 45 in April. I think it’s the wind that makes it cold. Have a great weekend
I used to do it out of habit until I realized that it was kind of a waste. And I agree that the wind makes the weather feel so much worse in the winter!
Do you think you’ll run another marathon soon? I agree – no point in putting on deodorant before a morning run!
Not sure about the marathon. I feel like I have been increasing my mileage so slowly and I dont really want to push it any time soon. Maybe this fall though? I figure I still have some time to decide that.
No deodorant, oh my lol. I think we’ve all accidentally done that, but I use it for all my runs. I hate catching a wiff of myself.
Oh gosh…form…I’ve had this nagging thought that I need to have someone record my stride. I’m deathly afraid of what I might see lol.
Maybe Im in denial but I actually don’t think I smell too bad during the winter! Well, at least i don’t notice it if I do. If I ran with others I would probably do them a favor and wear some:)
A winter temp in Texas was definitely different than the same in warmer months. It’s that wind we would get. Boulder’s different since the air is thin, but the breeze can still be biting at times. I do also run the same route, but when there’s one way to the running path, I don’t have much of a choice.
Im sure if I had running path I would just run on there all the time!
#2 and #5 are me! I never put deodorant on when I run in the morning! Also, I run the same neighborhood loop de doops allllll the time. In fact, gonna go do it now! Although I do have deodorant on because I had a doctor’s appt!
Im so glad Im not the only one who doesn’t put on deodorant before running in the morning! But Im sure your dr appreciate that you wore some today:)
I totally skip deodorant on my morning runs… isn’t it still on there from the day before anyway? 🙂
Thats such a good point! Its definitely still there from the day before!
I definitely skip deodorant before my early morning runs! You won’t be seeing anyone anyway! I also prefer running in shorts, but if it’s really cold I think tights are much better!
So glad Im not the only one who skips deodorant before morning runs!
omg, a January temp is so different than a Novemeber temp! Usually I run the same loop around here only changing it up if I move my run to the afternoon. Maybe I should try and change it up more?!
Its fun to change things up, but its also nice to not have to think about where you are running!
45 degrees is so much different in January than November! It’s damper and windier than a fall 45 and just feels so much colder. I also put on deodorant more in winter before a morning run than summer, because I’m worried about sweating even a bit and chilling from that sweat.
Thats a good point that I didn’t think about! I don’t really sweat a whole lot in the winter so I guess I never had that problem.
Okay so this is going to sound super weird but I love sweating out all the yucky smells from the night before (garlic, wine, etc) and I feel like if I put on deodorant then I’ll be blocking the flow. Ha ha! And then when I get into the shower to scrub it all off, I won’t be able to wash my armpits really well because they’ll have that protective film on them. I sound like a major dork.
I love your logic! I think this makes total sense. It so important to sweat all that stuff out and be able to wash well in the shower:)
So we’re supposed to put deodorant on before running?! LOL oops! Definitely have never done that. I was actually tempted to sign up for a half last night but then remembered there’s no way I can commit to training right now for that.
Haha, I am constantly tempted to sign up for a race and then I give myself a reality check and am usually happy that I didn’t actually register.
Ok I so agree with #3!! Every run it seems that I get super pumped about starting marathon training.. and then I realize that that’s not really possible right now with work haha. Maybe by the end of the year though!
Yup I totally know what you mean! It can be so tempting until we remember all the work that really needs to go into it.
I agree with Michelle … I’ve been running 28 years now and this is my first encounter with even the concept of putting on deodorant BEFORE a run! haha … be happy you’ve never met me on a run, I guess 🙂
The temperature thing is very true – and actually makes sense from a thermodynamic perspective: you are dealing with ground temperatures that are cooler, meaning that while the basic air temperature is (this morning for me) 35, the ground is cooler and there is still frozen ground below surface. So you get the effects of ‘radiative cooling’ (the same reason that clear nights get colder than cloudy nights). You also have the cooling effects of upper atmospheric winds, so on most days the wind will chill things down considerably – which is compounded because the cool wind also helps spread with convective currents the colder ground temperature.
Sorry … just how I think – my family sympathizes with you for even having read that. 😉
Also definitely run the same basic routes – all winter long it is either the 10.5 or 12.5 mile route depending on temperature … haven’t had to drop back to the 7.5 mile route the last couple of years (that is when it is below -5F or wind chill below -15F). Weekends are still variants on the mega-hill or airport routes that take me between 14 – 19 miles. In the summer in theory I used to mix it up more, but with the more consistent longer distance, I now just pretty much do the same stuff.
Haha I had to laugh about the part how your family sympathizes for having ready that! I do find it interesting, but also very complicated. (This is probably the most scientific comment ever posted on my blog!) It’s good to know there is a real reason that winter running feels colder and its not just all in my head!
Also, I find it amazing that your short, -5F route is “only” 7.5 miles.
Ha! I definitely skip deodorant some early morning runs! I’m with you on getting stuck on the same old routes… I really need to mix things up.
It’s good to know I’m not the only one who does these things!
I shower before bed so when I run in the am during the week I don’t put on deodorant either. Weekends are different just like you.
Well then you have a good excuse to not wear deodorant in the morning! I only shower after my run so by the time I run in the morning its been a long time since I showered…
You should totally train for at least the half… 🙂
My form is terrible according to my PT last year. But you know what? Every time I try to fix it something bad happens. I’m firmly in the camp of running naturally (unless there are huge biomechanical factors at play) because if you try to change it, you’ll end up hurting yourself.
And I never wear deodorant when I run. Eeeeeew…
When I think about my form too much Im sure I make it worse!