Cold Running

 Winter days are present with authority. The term “polar vortex” is as ubiquitous today as the word “millennium” was in the year 1999. The unusual warmer temperatures we have grown accustomed to for the past 20 years here in the mid-west have left us aghast with this recent cold snap of 2014. But it’s actually not that uncommon to have sub-zero temperatures, geologically speaking. According to ice cores dating back as far as 400,000 years ago, we are living in an unusually long interglacial period. Glacial periods (Ice ages) tend to dominate history as they can last from 70,000 to 90,000 years and the latter lasting between 10,000 to 30,000 years (We are currently 11,000 years into an interglacial period). That means for much of history our planet is normally under an ice age. These cold temperatures are more normal to our earth than most realize.

For a runner, it is simple to keep running through inclement weather by visiting a treadmill. This is really when this technology shines. While they are neglected during the warmer and fairer seasons of the years they tend to get swarmed and swathed in sweat during the colder seasons. The treadmill is the perfect solution for a runner wanting to get in their miles and not skip a workout. And if the runner wants to maintain the realistic conditions of running outdoors with variations in the terrain, they will adjust the elevation setting that's are usually right next to the speed setting. And the speed setting will undoubtedly be tinkered with during the run too. Especially if a stranger jumps on the treadmill next to you and starts running at a speed of 8 while you are only running at a speed of 7.5. A silly game of “I can run faster than this complete stranger who I will never see again while running in place and that makes me the winner” will likely take hold. And I'm sure there are many variations of this competitive mind game that afflicts the majority of runners that transition to the treadmill for the winter.

Fortunately, I’m not one of those runners. I can’t stand the treadmill for many reasons. Mainly because I need to feel the wind on my face and see the landscape change around me as I run. The insatiable desire to explore is too ingrained in my heart to be stationary while running. For my workouts I would rather see the edges of my neighborhood by foot a hundred times rather than watch a TV or blinking screen telling me how many calories I’ve burned. I’m sorry to say that yes, I am that runner you see during winter that will be out there through thick and thin.  The one you think is crazy for going outside “just to run.” But the way I see it, running through the elements is anything but crazy. It’s not just a physical test of the body, but a psychological endeavor too.

A Salt Rose

Running outdoors in the winter can bring about a silence that is rare in our landscape. With blankets of snow and ice settling nature into a dormancy one can truly appreciate the stillness that is absent in our daily lives. Venturing out into the cold takes gusto and a desire to be uncomfortable in order to be comfortable. The body will suffer while the mind will enjoy. This type of thinking might be common amongst addicts, but maybe that way of thinking isn’t always a bad thing. Remember, the natural state of this planet is to be covered in ice and snow. If I was born into another time where the glacial period was in full swing this type of thinking would be perfectly normal. Perspective can change everything.

With another year living in corn country I continue to appreciate my surroundings for what they are. And out here I’ve learned that the wind rules. So by changing perspectives I’ve found another pleasure from winter running. I’ve embraced the wind and its many billowing forms. Choosing to run on days windy enough to warrant a wind advisory (sustained winds 31-39 mph for at least 1 hour; OR any gusts to 46-57 mph) during the winter creates a landscape like no other. The blowing snow and wind drifts illustrate the wind and give it life. You can see the powdery lines take shape and snake their way through the air. The plowed roads make busy intersections for wisps of snow to float from one snow bank to the next. I can run with them or against them. While running into these gusts of snow seems foolish, the literally breath taking view of nature flying through you is hypnotizing. It’s fierce and unforgiving. Leaning into the run is mandatory in order to make progress. The steady flow of wind will challenge you. The most enjoyable moment will be when you change directions. This is when you can reap the benefits of nature and just “go with the wind.” Having 30 mph wind at your back will give you Kenyan speed and force a second wind out of you. The winter wind will make a runner willing to be out feel like a winner.  

But with winter running one must have their wits. First, I don’t go out into these subzero temperatures for hours. I always start my run going into the wind so my sweat doesn't chill me on the way back. I only expose small openings of skin around my ventilation system (mouth & nose). If it’s getting too cold where my breath is forming ice on my sunglasses I’ll take them off so I can see. Layers are planned to be removable if I overheat. I carry water with me to use as a modern day coal miner’s canary; if the water turns to ice quickly it’s a good indicator I’ll need to end my run since I will have nothing to drink if I stay out longer. For icy conditions I will wear foot traction (yaktrax). I also never go out for a run with a goal mileage to get done. Instead I plan on checkpoints of time. If I feel good after a half hour I keep going. If I feel miserable after an hour I’ll take the shortest route home. And lastly, I try to plan my run during the warmest part of the day. If the high is going to be 15 degrees why would you run when it’s 8 degrees?

The Stable aka "15 minutes out"

Taking the right precautions and having an open mind, winter running can be a joy. Although I’m not a huge fan of cold running, I am a fan of running. And I won’t discriminate running based on the temperature of the earth. If I can breathe in it, I’ll run in it. (Air quality is a different story and a different blog.) So get busy out there. Explore and have fun. Wet shoes and wet clothes can dry. But the one thing you should never let dry up is the desire to get out and get moving. Keep running.