Gosh, I miss running...

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Qster
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Gosh, I miss running...

Postby Qster » Fri Jan 24, 2014 11:55 am

After a great summer in my first running year, the harsh winter arrived with nasty arctic air, filling up running paths with snow and ice, my running came to an end.

I can't recall exactly when, but I started running less and less and stopped completely some time in early December.

I feel lethargic all the time now and my waist line has been increasing slowly and consistently.

I want to start running again, but got really discouraged with the cold weather and the icy running paths around my area.

I see runners on the road and I envy them braving the winter, but they look very unsafe running on the road. I don't trust drivers out there, I've seen too many careless drivers on the road every day.

It's unfortunate that I can't afford to join a gym, or a reasonable treadmill, I feel like I'm being jailed by old man winter.

Sorry for rambling on and on, I feel so restless and just needed to vent.

I miss running....

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bruyere
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby bruyere » Fri Jan 24, 2014 12:19 pm

Get back out there! If you do honestly miss it, get back out there!

The cold can be managed, and you don't need "top end" (read: overly pricey) gear for it. Dress in layers. The key is to avoid cotton. Start off feeling a little bit cold, because you WILL warm up (especially if there's little wind and the sun is out, but even if not). Cover your mouth if you need to. Vaseline or some such on your face can help. Start with something short, and stay close to home - think little loops around your block and the like - as you figure out what works for you for dressing. Once you sort it out, you might see that it's not so bad.

The ice can also be managed. You can get Yak Trax and the like. I, personally, have never used them for regular winter running, but a lot of folks like them. When it's icy, shorten your steps, make sure your foot lands right under you, keeping your foot flat. Heel striking and sudden changes in direction are your enemies. Slow down, shuffle, walk when you need to.

Overall, know that you'll go slower, but even if you do, AT LEAST YOU'RE OUT THERE. You're still getting a workout. You're still moving and getting fresh air.

Or, if this is all a bit much, get out for a nice brisk walk, and do that until the itch to run gets to you. But really, if you really do miss it, get back out there.
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Joe Dwarf
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby Joe Dwarf » Fri Jan 24, 2014 12:21 pm

Are there any running paths near where you live? In Saskatoon we are fortunate to have the MVA trails around the river which are maintained very nicely. No traffic to worry about, and usually clear or with a layer of even packed snow. I just use my regular summer shoes.

If you dress for it, even -30 is doable:

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jonovision_man
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby jonovision_man » Fri Jan 24, 2014 12:31 pm

If you miss running, then run. HTFU.

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purdy65
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby purdy65 » Fri Jan 24, 2014 1:18 pm

Good suggestions.

In the winter I do loops a lot! I try and find something that is minimum 1 mile ( I have a loops around my condo that is always clear, and about that)

Ideas for where.

Residential streets that are off the beaten path - I have found many snowpacked/dry even and easy to run on.

I have a 5K loop I do in a nearby cemetery - it is ALWAYS maintained. It is privately maintained, and it seems death always has customers :?

Gear is critical. Bruyere is right - it doesn't have to be expensive - just not cotton. Vaseline/body glide are your friends.

If windy, do the first part of your run into the wind, and come home with the wind.

It's not as easy for sure, but I kind of enjoy it so long as I can keep my feet under me.
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Sandra
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby Sandra » Fri Jan 24, 2014 1:54 pm

What they all said. the best thing to do is just get out there. ONce you get used to running in the cold and not so clear from snow/ice streets, you will start to actually enjoy it (IMO). I know for myself, someone who absolutely HATES the cold, I sometimes have my best runs on the coldest days. Good Luck!
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FishPants
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby FishPants » Fri Jan 24, 2014 2:19 pm

CAW posted a link today that may or may not be applicable:

http://www.saltyrunning.com/2014/01/24/ ... depressed/

I'm not a gym member, but I have a punch pass to use the indoor track. Is there a rec centre in your area that might offer something similar?

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skinnybopper71
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby skinnybopper71 » Fri Jan 24, 2014 3:57 pm

I never thought I would run in the cold weather until now..i run every other day....45 min....-20 is about the average lately....I dress warm, and the only thing exposed is my face and other than a bit of a chill at the beginning, it's all good... I pace myself and breath short breaths through my mouth.....I think I am running about 20 percent slower just to be safer on the roads as they can be a bit icy at times....I run facing traffic and tend to run in the early am to avoid traffic....Good Luck....

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Avis
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby Avis » Fri Jan 24, 2014 5:02 pm

You can do it! Run at a slower pace on ice and slippery snow, you can't help it anyway. (I call it my WARP speed--"Winter Average Running Pace"!) Winter running will make your legs stronger, too!
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby Jwolf » Fri Jan 24, 2014 8:30 pm

If you miss running, go run! Unless you're injured, of course.

If you're not injured, go run. Running is a privilege and a blessing.
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby ngcaper » Sat Jan 25, 2014 5:54 pm

jonovision_man wrote:If you miss running, then run. HTFU.

jono


What he said...:)

Whining about the cold gets you nowhere but an extra few inches on your waste line. Face it you
Iive in Canada. And I'm a winter hater...and cold whiner, but I go out 5 days a week.
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jonovision_man
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby jonovision_man » Sat Jan 25, 2014 7:41 pm

ngcaper wrote:What he said...:)

Whining about the cold gets you nowhere but an extra few inches on your waste line. Face it you
Iive in Canada. And I'm a winter hater...and cold whiner, but I go out 5 days a week.


This winter has been particularly trying, but I'm with you - I get out there and just do it. Ran 21k today. Yeah it was a bit nippy and the wind was no picnic, but I dressed in enough layers that I was unzipping my jacket half-way through, was too hot! :)

And there are always options... in Oshawa there's an indoor dome, works out to about $3.50 for the admission... about the same price as a big bag of chips you didn't need anyway. ;)

I've been through those times where I couldn't run. Injuries, illness, etc. - then you might catch me looking for sympathy. But "it's winter in Canada" won't ever stop me!

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barebuns1
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby barebuns1 » Sat Jan 25, 2014 7:54 pm

I am sure if you wanted to run you would find a way. Complaining about the weather is not going to get you out the door. Do you have a local cemetery that you could run in. :)
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Midge
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby Midge » Sat Jan 25, 2014 7:57 pm

Spring will be so nice because I have run this winter
Imagine had I not run outside how ordinary that first warm spring day would seem

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;) early and ;) often - it pays off in the long run

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CAW
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby CAW » Sat Jan 25, 2014 10:21 pm

Midge wrote:Spring will be so nice because I have run this winter
Imagine had I not run outside how ordinary that first warm spring day would seem

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Hi Midge!!! :-H
~Kara~

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DougG
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby DougG » Sat Jan 25, 2014 10:34 pm

I miss running. It's been 4 months for me. :(
Hamstring is healing very slowly , I'm hoping to get back at it in a few weeks.
2014
injured
2013
Snowflake 10k....stopped at 5k
Rest of the year a write off because of injury.
2012
Snowflake 10k Jan 1 done
Run 4 Kids 10k Jan 7 done
Harry's Spring Run Off 8k. April 8 a disaster, but I finished
Centurion 50k at Horseshoe Valley (cycling) done
Centurion 50 miler at Blue Mountain (cycling) done.....barely!
Snowflake 5k, Dec 16 - done
2011
Harry Rosen 8k. April. done
Rotary 5k fun run. May. done
CANI 10k. June. done
Canada Day 10k. July. done
Barrie Waterfront 5k. Aug. done
CANI 10 k. Oct. done
Base Borden Army Run 10k. done

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Midge
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby Midge » Sun Jan 26, 2014 7:32 am

CAW wrote:
Midge wrote:Spring will be so nice because I have run this winter
Imagine had I not run outside how ordinary that first warm spring day would seem

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

Hi Midge!!! :-H
hey
Notice who sits top of the league?

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk
;) early and ;) often - it pays off in the long run



"Keep Going. Never Give Up" - Spencer

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NMG
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby NMG » Sun Jan 26, 2014 8:23 am

Agree with the others. If you miss it, then just get out there and do it. You won't freeze and you won't get hurt. You might be cold for a little bit. No biggie.

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Sandra
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby Sandra » Sun Jan 26, 2014 9:29 am

DougG wrote:I miss running. It's been 4 months for me. :(
Hamstring is healing very slowly , I'm hoping to get back at it in a few weeks.


I'm dealing with some hamstring issues too that are limiting my running...I feel for you. Hope you can get back at it soon.
Sandra
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CAW
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby CAW » Sun Jan 26, 2014 12:40 pm

Midge wrote:
CAW wrote:
Midge wrote:Spring will be so nice because I have run this winter
Imagine had I not run outside how ordinary that first warm spring day would seem

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

Hi Midge!!! :-H
hey
Notice who sits top of the league?

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

I'm loving it!!

Now if only Chelsea could drop outta the top four...
~Kara~

"To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself."
— Thich Nhat Hanh

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ratherawkward
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby ratherawkward » Sun Jan 26, 2014 1:14 pm

Midge wrote:Spring will be so nice because I have run this winter
Imagine had I not run outside how ordinary that first warm spring day would seem

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk



Wow. This really resonates with me. I've been using the weather as an excuse to skip a lot of runs lately - doing crosstraining, so not totally slacking off, but it's still not the same. I need to just bundle up and get over myself.
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Ken B
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby Ken B » Sun Jan 26, 2014 2:59 pm

I definitely dislike the cold! But - I enjoy running - so I go out pretty much every day anyway. There are days when I have to really work at pushing myself out the door but it is certainly worth it. Others have given you lots of advice as to the how and where! Good luck!! :)

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La
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby La » Sun Jan 26, 2014 3:20 pm

If you're not training for a specific event (and it doesn't sound like you are), then just get out and run for whatever time/distance you can manage on that day, taking conditions into consideration. Personally, when the weather is bad (especially when the footing is bad), I run for time (e.g., 40 minutes) rather than distance as it can be tougher/slower in these conditions.
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DougG
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby DougG » Sun Jan 26, 2014 4:51 pm

Sandra wrote:
DougG wrote:I miss running. It's been 4 months for me. :(
Hamstring is healing very slowly , I'm hoping to get back at it in a few weeks.


I'm dealing with some hamstring issues too that are limiting my running...I feel for you. Hope you can get back at it soon.


Thanks, while I am hoping to be back in a few weeks, realistically it will likely be spring before I'm back. :pray:
2014
injured
2013
Snowflake 10k....stopped at 5k
Rest of the year a write off because of injury.
2012
Snowflake 10k Jan 1 done
Run 4 Kids 10k Jan 7 done
Harry's Spring Run Off 8k. April 8 a disaster, but I finished
Centurion 50k at Horseshoe Valley (cycling) done
Centurion 50 miler at Blue Mountain (cycling) done.....barely!
Snowflake 5k, Dec 16 - done
2011
Harry Rosen 8k. April. done
Rotary 5k fun run. May. done
CANI 10k. June. done
Canada Day 10k. July. done
Barrie Waterfront 5k. Aug. done
CANI 10 k. Oct. done
Base Borden Army Run 10k. done

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Double Bellybuster
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Re: Gosh, I miss running...

Postby Double Bellybuster » Sun Jan 26, 2014 8:17 pm

jonovision_man wrote: in Oshawa there's an indoor dome, works out to about $3.50 for the admission


Where is this Jon?

Thanks.
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