Chicago is currently in a [record] 290 day stretch of no snow but that is about to end today. Starting this afternoon, we have a winter storm warning issued until early tomorrow morning. We are expected to have high winds, ice, and snow [although not as much as other states in the Midwest!]. I’m not a big fan of snow, unless it comes on Christmas Eve and leaves the day after Christmas, but I know a lot of people have been waiting for snow for quite a while.
While I’m definitely an outdoor runner, once my early morning runs are full of snow and ice, I start to debate whether or not it would be safer for me to spend my mornings at my gym on a treadmill.
Generally, I run outside if it’s over 15 degrees (I also consider the windchill), not icy, and we’re not experiencing a blizzard (I did this once and it was miserable). On the weekends, I try to run later in the morning to allow people time to shovel the sidewalks and plow the streets. I also tend to run through the city more and less on the lakeshore path because the city sidewalks are more likely to be clear. Most importantly, I adjust my expectations given the weather. If it’s not too icy but there is lots of snow, I’ll head out running with a goal of getting in the mileage at whatever pace is feasible. There’s no need to get frustrated over speed when it’s completely outside of your control.
Deciding whether to run on the treadmill or brave the outdoors can be a tough call and while slipping on the icy lakeshore path is not fun, neither is becoming injured from running and striding differently on a treadmill.
So what do you do when it starts to get snowy? Run on the treadmill or run outdoors?
well, as you can read in my post today, i am super lazy in general about running inside so i typically stick with the treadmill, but i actually like running when it’s cold outside. i’m super pumped for some christmas break runs in the cold weather – packing all my cold gear! make sure you get that snow out of chicago’s system by tomorrow okay? i don’t want my flight delayed or cancelled!
molly @ heart, sole & cereal recently posted..thankful thursday: bad photo edition
It should be completely gone by the time you get in
I love running through the snow. It’s probably different in the city though. But with the winds like they are today, I am going to netflix a movie and treadmill it.
Sarah recently posted..I’m not mean, I’m a thousand years old
I definitely treadmilled it this morning- I don’t do the combo of dark + rain + wind !
In winter, I normally TM during the week due to dark and/or ice (except Weds I meet a group so we usually run all weather.) I run outside most weekends even w/ice/snow (and yaktrax!) I use below 10 F and/or very cold wind chill as the cut off. I may be the only one but I like watching the Today show and doing TM intervals!
Sometimes running on the treadmill is a nice excuse to catch up on news, I did that this morning and my run was short enough to be enjoyable
. How do you like the yaktrax? I’ve thought about buying them didn’t because I thought it would feel weird to run in them!
I think you have a very smart method about it
I am similar – I will run outside any temp unless it’s icy or unclear (and cars might not see me). But I really dislike the treadmill so I try to make my schedule work to run outside!
kilax recently posted..Random Thoughts Thursday XXVI [3]
I agree, if I can I definitely flip around my schedule to avoid the ‘mill!
I follow the same rules you do. No speed work at all in the snow – too dangerous. I also won’t run if it’s below 10 degrees with the windchill – also too dangerous. I hate bringing workouts inside on the treadmill, but sometimes it’s totally necessary. Great post!
Sarah @ Blonde Bostonian recently posted..WIAW #37: Pre-Christmas
Thanks, Sarah! I’m with you, as much as I dislike the treadmill, being safe is the most important thing.
unless the weather is 65, breezy and sunny, my butt is on the treadmill.
kelsey recently posted..A Number of Things
You so crazy.
Honestly, I don’t run at all when it snows! I don’t have a gym membership, so running outside is my only option. Instead I do a lot of Fitnessista’s video workouts…and watch Sex and the City.
Nice! I love Sex and the City!
I totally feel the same way about snow. I ONLY want snow on Christmas eve and day. Is that so much to ask for? (kidding… but seriously)
Jess @ JessieBear What Will You Wear recently posted..WIAW
I’m with. Any other time of the year snow is gross!
This actually will probably be the first time that I’ve ever had to deal with winter weather. Last winter was the first winter where I was a runner, and since last winter was pretty much nonexistent, it didn’t affect my outdoor running at all (and I was still healing up from a back injury, so almost all of my cardio from January to mid-February was in the pool or on a bike. I only ran once every other week during that stretch). 15 degrees sounds like a good cutoff, though…I’ll have to keep that in mind if we actually get a real winter this winter!
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions recently posted..Thursday Things
My fingers are crossed that this winter is verrrry mild!
I’m a sucker for the outdoors. So I’d have to go with snow. Unless it was actually a sheet of ice underneath, and then I’d probably do zumba. Haha anything but the dreadmill!
Sarah @PickyRunner recently posted..You’re all stars
The dreadmill is just awful!
I’ve actually never tried zumba!
I actually saw that on the news! Hope it isn’t too bad. I am the same way…last year I slipped and fell and broke my arm on the ice (walking to the gym…to run on a treadmill LOL). So that is where I stay.
Yeah, I slipped and hit my head while running and ended up with a concussion two years ago. I’m much more careful now. Funny how injuries change things
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When I lived in Forest Park I would just run in the street since there wasn’t much traffic and they kept them pretty clear. I once tried to run on a forest preserve path since sometimes the snow gets compacted by the cross-country skiers but that did not go so well. Basically, though, unless it’s super-duper icy I plan to run outside.
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I can imagine the forest preserve path being a difficult run but I give you so much credit for trying. I’m sure it was so pretty!
I hate the treadmill but when I run in the early morning alone it’s my only choice. I did buy Yaktrax last year and only used them once-so I plan on doing a few snowy runs this year during the weekends!
Katie @ Livehalffull recently posted..Liebster Award!
Katie, do the Yaktrax actually help?
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Let me know how the yaktrax work out for you!
This is what I’ve been wondering about, since this is my first winter running! I have two runs scheduled this weekend, and I’m really worried they’ll have to be on a treadmill because of the snow. But people in my neighborhood are kind of bad about clearing the sidewalks – I’ve wiped out more than a few times just walking to the train – so I worry about running around here. It’s really interesting and helpful to read everyone’s thoughts on this!
Anne recently posted..Outfit Post: Date Night
I’m glad this is helpful! I think the most important thing is to make sure you are comfortable and safe!
If I can run safely outside, that’s my preference. I will run if it’s a little bit icy out (if it’s possible to run around the ice patches), I will run after a snowfall, usually sticking to side streets after the snow plows have gone through. If the sidewalks aren’t too bad, I will run while it is snowing out, as long as it’s not coming down too heavy. I’ll deal with the cold down to single digits. But somedays I just have no motivation … so I’ll just move my run to the next day if possible. I haven’t been on a treadmill in over a year. I’d like to keep it that way
Maggie recently posted..Recipe: Delicious Cornbread
Good for you
. The treadmill can be awful!
Running in the snow/cold definitely intimidates me…it’s so hard to actually get out the door! I think I’m one of the few people who actually doesn’t mind the treadmill. I’ve been loving doing short, speedwork runs. It’s working better for me now since I’m not training for anything…but I can see how a long run could get incredibly boring.
Megan @ runnningonjava recently posted..I’m home!!!
I ran 16 miles on the treadmill once, it was torture! But you’re right for shorter runs it can be nice to just tough it out and not have to go outside
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I dont mind running in the rain because it feels refreshing. However, if its 35 degrees out and its rain/snow mixture I tend to go to the treadmill. I haven’t ran in snow yet but hope I can run in some snow after tonights snow.
Christina recently posted..Got my Motivation back!
Did the suburb where you live get snow? We didn’t get very much!
I am a treadmill girl in any weather less than 40 degrees. I just can’t do it!
Alaine @ My GF & DF Living recently posted..Gluten-free & Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Hahaha as long as you don’t mind it
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I’m lucky to be living in the tropics, so about the “nastiest” weather I have to deal with is rain, thunderstorms and floods.
Sue recently posted..AAM Fun Run 2012 – The Pictorial Edition
So jealous that you don’t have to deal with snow!
I have a feeling I will be doing a lot of treadmill runs this winter. In the past I have usually just quit running during the winter when it got to cold/icy/snowy to run outside. I am a little more tolerable of the treadmill now but it has to have a personal TV.
When I am in Iowa I will just run on the road because they seem to be less slick than the sidewalks usually.
Alyssa @ Don’t Look Down recently posted..Illinois Marathon Training Recap Week 5
You’re absolutely right, a personal tv is a must!
Last year was my first time winter running. I don’t belong to a gym or have access to a treadmill so all my runs were done outside. I know it wasn’t a super intense winter last year, but I loved running through the snow. 15 degrees sounds like a good cutoff though. When it is colder I try to run later in the morning or afternoon so it is not as cold.
Cate recently posted..Five for Friday
I love running in the snow too– I’d much rather run when it’s cold than when it’s hot! I’m glad you’re able to figure out a way to fit in runs when it’s cold without a gym