Still a Fair Weather Runner

I haven't quite acclimated to running in bad weather, I hid indoors and hit the treadmill for the winter/early spring season, waiting for the heat to return. I started back on the trails about two months ago, and the thought of the treadmill again makes me groan. It's just not as gratifying as running outdoors.


Now, I'm no stranger to extreme weather running, a snow storm two years ago didn't halt my half marathon training. It was a cool 19 degrees outside and we were running with a Camelbak, that froze at the mouthpiece every 5 to 10 minutes if we weren't sucking down the water....and I ran cross country in Las Vegas at 3 p.m. during August, on a good day we were below 100. But, if given the option I'm a snob for 60 degree breezy weather. Today was not one of those days, so I took the opportunity to catch a few more zzz's and put off the treadmill another day.

A gloomy Monday, view from my office in Downtown Fort Worth...45  degrees today,
90 degrees on Saturday. The weather certainly isn't dull in North Texas.

Here are some tips, insight and workouts to stop the groaning before a treadmill run:

• Check out these interval workouts from Runners World
• I like to get everything done in the least amount of time, so I do a circuit workout for the hard days. Start with a mile warm-up, bump up the speed to about 70 percent of your race pace and hold that for 2 to 5 minutes, depending on your allotted workout time, slow it down for 30 seconds and then hop off and do either an arm or leg circuit workout, back on the treadmill for another 2 to 5 minute speed workout, this time at 80 percent. Repeat for 90, then do a mile cool down. This gets your weight lifting and running in without taking up too much time on those busy mornings.
• The treadmill is lower impact than outdoor running, and can help on days you're feeling achy but still want to get a workout in.
• Some good tunes help keep your workout exciting, check out my list below:

If you're like me running on the treadmill requires a different, more upbeat, playlist than outdoors. Here are a few songs I've got lined up for the next indoor session:

• Bulletproof by La Roux
• When Love Takes Over by David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland
• Animal by Neon Trees
• Sam's Town by The Killers

Happy Treading!

In case you were wondering....

...Yes, our pup has some swanky running shoes of his own. Reserved for special occasions.


Scroll down, below the video, for some pet paw care info I have found useful in preparing your animal to get out on the road with you.


Check him out getting used to his pretty red shoes. Ruff Wear has some awesome dog gear, but if you're more of a DIYer, there's plenty of options to make your own dog booties on the web, without breaking the bank.





Why would anyone get shoes for their dog?

• In extreme heat hot surfaces, such as marble or asphalt retain quite a bit of heat that can burn your poor pup's paws.
• In snowy weather road salt builds up on streets and sidewalks. For dogs this can cause great irritation and burning on their paws, not to mention the hazards if your dog starts to ingest those chemicals by licking his aching feet.
• If you're against the shoes for your dog, there's always wax.

What do you use to keep your puppy's paws comfortable in bad weather?


Check back later for some highlights from the Fort Worth, Texas, SPC Championship Track meet (I moonlight as a volunteer distance coach for All Saints Episcopal School, grades 7-12)