Running in Winter. For the first time.
I have never run in snow or on ice.
Until this week.
And I had more than a little angst about it. I have nerves, and I use them extensively before I attempt anything new. But I also know that if I’m going to live in Montana I’ll need to get used to running in cold-weather conditions. So I did what gives me comfort in the face of a new experience: I researched running on snow and ice.
In news that will shock exactly nobody, quite a few people out there have some thoughts on the subject.
First tip was to dress warmly, so I geared up.
For the head: running beanie? Check.
For the torso: moisture-wicking base layer? Check. Quarter-zip thermal layer? Check. Running vest? Check.
For the legs: thermal running tights? Crew-length wool socks? Check and check.
For the feet: trail-running shoes? Check.
For the hands: fleece gloves? Check.
Second tip was to run with your weight over your feet at all times. I probably overstride when I run, because most of us do, but even so I think I’m better-than-average at keeping my stride short and my feet underneath me. Years of nagging knee injuries have encouraged the habit and punished me when I’ve reached a little too far with those feet. So, check. Ish.
Third tip: focus on effort, not pace. That aligns nicely with where I am in my training. That is, the very beginning, where it’s just about building habits and getting in runs rather than workouts with specific purposes and goals. So worrying about pace isn’t a focus yet. Check.
Fourth tip: shift the time of your run away from darker to lighter, from colder to warmer. That is to say, middle of the day. I like to run first thing in the morning, but this tip makes sense. Check.
Fifth tip: choose snow over ice. Apparently there’s more traction on just about anything other than ice. The streets here are hard packed with snow, and with the recent melting there’s also plenty of ice coating them. Folks here are very good about shoveling their sidewalks, but then snowmelt runs across and makes ice. So I need to pay attention wherever I run. No zoning out. Check. With trepidation.
Sixth tip: warm up before starting. Good one. I usually do, so nothing new there. Check.
Seventh and final tip: cool down. Seriously? It’s 34 degrees. Like cooling down is going to be a problem. Solid check.
I started my run late morning, and it went, well, pretty well. Only a tick or two over three miles, but no slips — those shoes had excellent grip when I needed to tackle slick areas — and only once did I put a foot into a slush pile thinking it was frozen over. I was quite slow — as predicted by the oracles of winter running — but my heart rate was in its normal range, so effort over pace worked. If anything I was overdressed — I think I can comfortably ditch the vest next time.
This specific running experience mirrors my general winter experience so far. A couple weeks ago we had a cold snap. A very cold snap. The high temperature one day was -8 degrees (low was -23 and wind chill made it -32). Brrrr. And yet people moved around here like it was just another day. I didn’t venture outside on that coldest day, but the next day I walked a couple miles to and from the downtown library when the temperature was zero. If you’re dressed for the weather, it’s turns out that managing in it is not a big deal. The 1973 wisdom of Alfred Wainwright resonates: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.”
And if there was any doubt that I was a winter newbie, it was smashed when I finished my run and was making my cool-down walk to my apartment. I had unzipped my vest and taken off one glove to take the selfie above when I saw the UPS driver hop out of his van.
He wore a beanie and boots. And a short sleeve shirt. And short pants.
Yup, I was definitely overdressed. And now a little chagrined.
The next run will be better.
