Monday, November 19, 2012

Indoors vs. Outdoors

During cooler weather do you tend to hibernate indoors and churn out miles on the treadmill? I for one prefer to get in as many miles as I can outdoors. I just cannot stand running on a treadmill for more than 4-5 miles. I know it doesn't sound like that far and I don't know how some of you can do upwards of 10 miles on that thing. I don't care if I'm watching a tv or listening to tunes I just can't do it. I enjoy being outdoors even if that means running in freezing temperatures.

Once daylight savings time comes along this also equates to alot of night time running. I honestly love running at night and it's when I feel my best. It is just so peaceful and calm and somedays I like how it makes me feel like a badass! I do make sure that I am reflective as can be, wear a headlamp and a red blinking light on the back of my SPIbelt so others can see me. I live in the city so there are still streetlights on but they are very dim and just don't cut it for me. I do make sure to vary up my routes, when I run and where and I cut out any semi-shady parts of town that in the daylight wouldn't normally scare me aware. I seem to have my most enjoyable runs at nighttime and I just feel like I can keep going on forever.





I am also in love with the fact that winter is close. It means no more disgusting sweaty runs for me which is nearly impossible for me on a day that is 50 degrees or warmer. The hardest part about winter running is figuring out what to wear to keep yourself comfortable and what parts to layer. This just takes time and you will probably start off by dressing too warm. Make sure to shed the extra layers as quickly as possible and remember to dress as though it's 10 degrees warmer than it really is. The first mile may be a bit chilly but you will warm up and you can always take a hot shower when you get home!

I can't wait for the first run after a fresh snowfall, it will be such a serene run.

Are you too chicken to run at night or in the cold?

2 comments:

  1. I run int he cold but not at night. No street lights, gravel roads, mountain lions, occasional bears, not good combinations for me. I would if I lived in town. I do Erin outside all winter though. I hate running indoors too.

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  2. I don't care how cold it is, but i definitely am afraid to run in the dark by myself. I also live on the west side of Chicago, where people are found strangled and set on fire in dumpsters.
    regularly.

    Just as excuse to make running friends, i suppose! :)

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