Feb
08
2011
reasons to love running in the winter
By the dawn
So, with all my down-er attitude lately, apparently I haven’t been that fun to live with. This afternoon Mr. Dawn asked, “Are you going to Jazzercise?” Quickly followed by, “I think you should.” Implying that I need a little endorphin boost, shaking my groove thing to my favorite songs. I took the hint, sweated out the grumps and I’m feeling 100% better.
And now I think it’s time that I start focusing on the positive. A few weeks ago, while running with the Gazelle, we started listing off our favorite things about running in the wintertime. Here’s what we’ve come up with so far:
- Less body glide. Yes, I still sweat in the winter, but not NEARLY as much. So there is far less chafing which leads to a decline in the need for lathering on layer after layer like I do in the summer months.
- Pockets for storage. I love wearing a jacket and/or tights with little storage compartments already built in. I don’t have to use my spibelt or ifitness belt but I can still have my ipod, phone, and gels all accessible.
- Wearing clothes multiple times. Ok, so that might be gross to some, but with less sweating there is less stinking and I can usually get a couple wears out of each item. And sign me up for less laundry any day!
- Solid precipitation. In the winter, if something is falling from the sky, its almost always snow. Snow does not soak into my clothes or make me feel like I’m carrying around 10 extra pounds of water like it does when I run in the rain. Snow beats rain any day.
- Frozen gels. I LOVE cold Gu. Seriously, it tastes even better when its slightly frozen and a little thicker. It’s easier to swallow too, without coating every single corner of my mouth.
- Feeling hardcore. There’s nothing like running through a semi-blizzard while everyone else in bundled up inside to make me feel like a warrior. Sure, people look at me like I’m completely nuts, but that just adds to the fun of it all.
- Ice baths don’t feel as miserable. Seriously. On Sunday, after my miserable run, the ice bath felt just slightly colder than I had been for three hours outside. I didn’t even flinch getting in. And really, one might argue that you don’t need an ice bath at all since you basically run in an ice bath the entire time!
- Hot chocolate recovery drinks. Ok, so this I tried for the first time this weekend, but I kind of loved it. I took a dark hot chocolate packet, mixed it with two tablespoons of chocolate rice protein powder and drank that while in my ice bath. Best. Idea. Ever.
- Resistance training. Cause running on slippery slushy roads is almost identical to running on sand. And we all can agree that running on sand is crazy hard. So, I’m getting double returns on my investment, right? Don’t answer that.
- The scenery. I love fresh fallen snow. I love snow covered trees. There is seriously nothing more quite and peaceful than running in snow. The layer of snow dampens the sounds and makes everything feel a little more magical. Like Narnia. But without the witch…
There you have it. My reasons to love running in the winter months. Do you have any to add to the list?
You pretty much covered them all.
And while I never thought about it…rain vs snow…I think I would take snow as well:)
I agree but disagree. Im done with winter and ready for spring… however, your positive attitude is very helpful!!!
p.s. i miss you! <3
Great list you just about had me convinced I need to pack up the family and relocate so I can experience the love of winter running, than I remember that I live in the desert and I don’t believe I would have the same appreciation for the cold that you do, but it was a nice thought.
Ooo nice, positive post! I wish I had your positive outlook on winter, but frankly, I am over it! The only other good thing I can think of to add is an excuse to buy more gear because you need layers and lights!
I LOVE your outlook on running in the winter… I hate running in the cold more so than running on a treadmill! lol *gasp!* well… i hate it before i actually get outside and do it lol… once im out there im fine
lol… glad i got that off my chest 
Also, in the winter I usually wear the same workout clothes twice in a row
You nailed it with this list sister!!! At times it sucks but for all these reasons we still suck it up and make it happen!
i still would take sweating outdoors any day! and trust me lady, i have NEVER met a girl that sweats like i do.
but surprisingly, i have never had to or needed to use body glide.
I love running in cool weather, though that 35-degree run last week really made that love turn south. BUT, those are good reasons to tolerate running in the cold. Much better than running in the summer, and I really do perform better.
One bad habit I’ve gotten from winter is that I don’t breathe through my nose enough when running anymore, since it’s always drippy when it’s cold (along with my eyes). I’ve had to retrain myself on how to breathe properly!
woo, i have to say all these reasons are why i run on the treadmill
but you are tough and hardcore! i am envious.
I hadn’t thought about some of those things before: extra pockets and GU that is more solid and easier to swallow.
Way to be positive about winter running; I don’t think I could have wrote this.
GASP!! You mean there are positive things about winter?? Who knew??
Just kidding! Thanks for this…I think we all need this to get through this last tough part of winter. Just think how HAPPY we are all going to be when it is FINALLY spring!!
Have you ever tried frozen clif bars? They’re fun to gnaw on and take miles to get through! (I’ve never eaten them on normal runs, but great for winter hiking and biking adventures).
My area of expertise!
You hit all of the big points, but I have one to add that I kept repeating to myself on my below-zero adventure yesterday. Winter running makes spring and summer running that much better!! 65 and sunny feels amazing after you’ve put in some barely above zero and snowing adventures!
#6 is SO true, and it’s my favorite reason for winter running.
I LOVED THIS POST!!! Seriously….hot choc is the best recovery drink and ice baths aren’t that miserable (plus I use the snow from outside). You are so right about frozen fuel….I love my shot blocks to be a little frozen. The scenery is spectacular…LOVED READING THESE and it made me want to go running with you even more. K, I am so glad you can relate with my facebook story!!! Keep posting those times and training runs because you are AMAZING and I want him to know it!!! You are going to Boston and he isn’t….I LOVE IT!!
I love your list!! I was feeling a little grumps this morning due to the snow (again?!) but reading this definitely cheered me up! There are a couple of nice things about winter! For me, my favorite thing is the sweating them. I’m definitely sweating a lot less and absolutely you can re-wear running clothes if you’ve barely sweat in them! Why not?
Great list, thanks so much for sharing!!!
I definitely agree on ALL counts… except that I have not had the nerve to sit in an ice bath all winter. I am so cold after I stop running (instant shivers/blue lips, etc.) that I just want HOT HOT HOT.
I’m all over the pockets & hot chocolates (heehee, I made a rhyme) though.
What a positive spin on cold weather! I agree with teh cold gel one big time–I had chocolate clif gu for the first time last week and it was good cold, but woul be way too rich in the summer!
And, you are totally right–clothes are not as stinky or wet!
Great list!! Love it and will keep these reminders in mind when I complain on my next run! ha!
I’m diggin’ on your PMA (positive mental attitude)
Love it! Though I have to say… I prefer warmer Gus because the cold ones are so hard to swallow/chew! That’s probably ’cause my mouth is frozen and my lips/jaw doesn’t work, hmm…
At first I thought there is nothing to love … I have mega downer attitude … but I agree with everything on your list. Especially cold gu … chocolate or expresso in the winter is delicious. And pockets, everything has pockets!
these are ALL awesome (i was trying to pick my fave…it might be #3, i’m lazy). i love winter running!
Ugh, I’ve been such a Negative Nancy lately, too. I’ve been too much of a pansy to run outside, but I really need to change that. -10 isn’t that cold, right?
Glad the jazzercise helped you, too. This winter has been brutal!
I LOVE THIS! Seriously — I really needed this list. I’ve been focusing way too much on the negative lately. Instead of enjoying any of these things you listed, I’ve been letting myself get frustrated that nothing has seemed to go smoothly in my training this winter. Thanks for the reminder to look on the bright side (though I still am ready for spring…
)
And I totally wear my running clothes over in the winter. Especially tights — those are good for multiple runs!
This is a FABulous post! =D
I am spoiled by our mild winter climate. I think it dipped to 32 this week a couple of times- so no frozen gels to enjoy. But we get plenty of the wet stuff. For some reason it’s been not-so-wet this year (Now it will pour all next week!).
Anyhow, something I heard on marathontalk.com in the ryan hall episode was that “Champions are made in the winter.”
Hope you have a great weekend!!
Way to stay positive
I’m not a fan of winter running, but I guess a positive would be that since I’ve been forced to run on the treadmill more, I’ve gotten faster 
I prefer to get my resistance training running on sand though!
Great list! I need to print this and hang it on my fridge! I love the fact that I only need water every 6 miles and don’t need to spend 4 hours laying it out along the side of the road. I love the clear crisp air, and I love the snow under the streetlights at night. All this being said, give me the 40 degree fall weather and I’m in heaven!
Thankyou for the prayers for Theo. Greatly appreciated! Happy Sunday:)
Thank you for your sweet comment!! HOW IS TRAINING GOING?!?! I need updates from you! What days are you going to be in Boston….I can’t wait to meet you!
I hate the cold but this year I have founds number 3,6, 8, and 10 to be a delight. FINALLY, I am a cold weather runner.
Love your lists! Running in Nebraska in the winter takes a different breed, dont ya think? But this winter wasnt too bad…HOWEVER, being comfortable running in 34* this weekend with a t-shirt on makes me think I am going to have a HEAT stroke running in anything above 60 this summer!! =)
great list! I hadn’t thought about the cold gu
sorry i am like way behind in reading, but i love this list!! hope you are still feeling out of the dumps
I definitely don’t have to deal with your level of winter running BUT having pockets all the time is definitely one of the reasons I love this time of year
I miss winter running SOO much for all the reasons you stated. Sniffle.
I couldn’t comment on an older post, but I wanted to say that after a hard year of PR chasing, I really enjoyed doing destination races. Or races with scenic, tough courses that you wouldn’t want to try to PR anyhow. I like a good balance of for-fun races and for-time races.
I miss you! How are you? Come back!