Now that it’s officially winter in Pittsburgh (as evidenced by all the snow we got this weekend) I thought I’d do an update of how running through the winter has been going. First, some background. When I lived in Texas, I could run outside all year round. I actually looked forward to winter because I knew it was going to be much more pleasant to run outside during those months than when it was 105+ in the summer. It almost never got below freezing, and since Texas is pretty far south and a good deal west, the sun never set before about 5:30-5:45, even when the days were at their shortest. Considering all those factors, I could usually do a 30-minute run outside after work a few times a week. As you can imagine, this all changed considerably when I moved to Chicago.
The first two winters I lived in Chicago, I didn’t run outside at all. Not one single time. I stuck to treadmills and other indoor cardio and wow, it was boring. I got really really excited each year when it was warm enough (and light for long enough) to run outside again. The third year, with encouragement from a friend, I invested in some winter running gear and braved the outdoors when the temps weren’t too frigid (usually above freezing, which didn’t happen very often). There wasn’t really a rhyme or reason to my schedule, I just played it by ear. Most of the time, especially on the weekdays, I exercised inside. Again: boring.
Now that I live in Pittsburgh (sigh, another cold climate) and have signed up for a spring half marathon, I’ve found I need to be a little more intentional about my training schedule. I bought even more cold weather running stuff and have committed to running outside at least once a week, usually on the weekends. These are my “long run” days, and I try to go at a time that I know I’ll get some sun and have plenty of time to run (usually at least an hour). During the week, at least right now, it gets dark too early for me to feel comfortable running outside after work. On the days in between my weekend long runs, I split my time between the treadmill, classes, and strength training. It usually ends up looking like this:
Sunday: long run outside
Monday: shorter run on the treadmill (3-4 miles)
Tuesday: elliptical + free weights or a class (step, zumba, or some other kind of cardio)
Wednesday: elliptical + free weights or a class
Thursday: longer run on the treadmill with some hills/intensity (around 5 miles)
Friday: rest
Saturday: yoga or rest
This schedule roughly follows the Hal Higdon half marathon training plan that I’ve used for the last two races, with a bit more flexibility throw in for variation. At this point, I’m not as worried about being able to finish a half marathon and am focusing more on speed and strength. This schdule means I spend a lot of time in the gym, but with frigid outdoor temps, early sunsets, and a boyfriend who has at least three homework assignments due each week, it’s not like I have a whole lot else to do. I imagine once daylight savings begins in March and I have more light after work, I’ll transition to running outside more (which I vastly prefer), but for now this is what works for me.
Do you guys run outside at night? What’s your winter workout schedule like?
The first two winters I lived in Chicago, I didn’t run outside at all. Not one single time. I stuck to treadmills and other indoor cardio and wow, it was boring. I got really really excited each year when it was warm enough (and light for long enough) to run outside again. The third year, with encouragement from a friend, I invested in some winter running gear and braved the outdoors when the temps weren’t too frigid (usually above freezing, which didn’t happen very often). There wasn’t really a rhyme or reason to my schedule, I just played it by ear. Most of the time, especially on the weekdays, I exercised inside. Again: boring.
Now that I live in Pittsburgh (sigh, another cold climate) and have signed up for a spring half marathon, I’ve found I need to be a little more intentional about my training schedule. I bought even more cold weather running stuff and have committed to running outside at least once a week, usually on the weekends. These are my “long run” days, and I try to go at a time that I know I’ll get some sun and have plenty of time to run (usually at least an hour). During the week, at least right now, it gets dark too early for me to feel comfortable running outside after work. On the days in between my weekend long runs, I split my time between the treadmill, classes, and strength training. It usually ends up looking like this:
Sunday: long run outside
Monday: shorter run on the treadmill (3-4 miles)
Tuesday: elliptical + free weights or a class (step, zumba, or some other kind of cardio)
Wednesday: elliptical + free weights or a class
Thursday: longer run on the treadmill with some hills/intensity (around 5 miles)
Friday: rest
Saturday: yoga or rest
This schedule roughly follows the Hal Higdon half marathon training plan that I’ve used for the last two races, with a bit more flexibility throw in for variation. At this point, I’m not as worried about being able to finish a half marathon and am focusing more on speed and strength. This schdule means I spend a lot of time in the gym, but with frigid outdoor temps, early sunsets, and a boyfriend who has at least three homework assignments due each week, it’s not like I have a whole lot else to do. I imagine once daylight savings begins in March and I have more light after work, I’ll transition to running outside more (which I vastly prefer), but for now this is what works for me.
Do you guys run outside at night? What’s your winter workout schedule like?
5 comments:
i run on a treadmill at my gym. it's far too cold where i live to run outside! although i do hate having other people around watching!
http://www.thehunsblog.com/
I miss running. I've deemed 2012 the year I get back into running. It'll probably look very different than how I ran in the past (can we say jogging stroller with yapping toddler coming up this spring!?), but I'm gonna do it, dammit! I think it's great you've figured out a balance that works for you, given the variability in weather outside!
I know what you mean. I trained for a spring half in Iowa, where it was below freezing most of the time. I ended up using the treadmill a lot and man it was BORING. Not only that, but once I finally got outside to run, I was so sore afterward, since it used different muscles!
Right now I live in a place where it snows and I just run in it! I end up wet and cold but it is so much better than being inside.
I prefer the winter routine of sitting on the couch by the fireplace in my sweatpants. ;)
No but really, I attempted the running in the cold/dark thing and 1. I couldn't breathe in the cold, and 2. It's REALLY dark around my neighborhood, so i was always afraid I was going to trip on something. So I definitely stick to the gym now. BOO WINTER.
I have been able to continue to run outside this winter, since it's been mild for us. As long as it's above 15, I don't mind running outside. If it's colder than that? Meh. I have still used the treadmill for shorter runs and speedwork, and i use the bike 1-2 times/wk.
But now it's all come to a halt as i recover from sinus surgery. I have my follow up appt on Friday so will find out then when i can run again...
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