Running In The Snow

Since the streets looked like a slushie on Saturday, I opted to stay fall free and do my long run on the treadmill.

Yeah, not really into face planting.

Woof. I was supposed to run 12 miles, but after an hour and 6.75 miles (every 10 minutes I did a 'fartlek' at 7.5 for 2 minutes), I had to get off and regroup. I made it 30 more minutes for a total of ~10.2 before quitting - no amount of Forgetting Sarah Marshall and the Kardashians were going to get me through another 2 miles.

I know conversion charts show running on the treadmill equivalent to about 30 seconds slower on the road, but it's the opposite for me. I ran at 6.3 MPH with 0% incline (no way I was going to even 0.5%), which translates to 9:31 mile on the treadmill and 9:56 mile on the road.

(from Hungry Runner Girl, who runs like at a 9.1 while holding a baby)

I can maintain an 8:40 pace outside with (relatively) no problem, but ask me to run faster than a 9:30 pace on the treadmill, and I'm dying. I find it so HARD to run on the treadmill- mentally and physically. I'd rather run up Cat Hill or tackle the Queensboro Bridge any day- at least the scenery changes! I find treadmill runs demoralizing and defeating- I really hope the slush is gone before my next run on Tuesday!

On Friday I did tackle the snow and run outside-- I turned to Twitter to ask Jack Rabbit for advice.

@nyc_allie Go slow, don't over-stride, wear good quality winter running clothing. Fresh snow can actually be fun. Ice is a different story.
— JackRabbit Sports (@JackRabbitNYC) February 7, 2013

The snow was just starting to stick (so it may not count as 'running in the snow'), but the road was more than a bit slick in places. I took it slow over any patches that looked a bit ominous, and ended up having a great 5 mile run! Now hopefully next week's 1/2 marathon will be like the 5 mile run and NOT the treadmill run this week!

Just a tad wet.

Week In Review:

Sunday: Yoga
Monday & Tuesday: Rest Days
Wednesday: 4x400's on the Dreadmill (8.2 MPH with 6.3MPH for warm-up and 6.4MPH for rests in between 400s)
Thursday: ~6 miles in Central Park
Friday: 5 miles along the East River
Saturday: ~10 miles on the Treadmill

Total Miles: 24.8