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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Sing in the rain or face the dreadmill? Such decisions

Even dorky me promises to leave the umbrella at home
OK, I've always been super lame about cold weather, rain and snow. I'm not a fan of the elements. Living in Southern California for the brief time I was there, suited me just fine. But, I've been back in Jersey for the last few years and now I'm a runner. And I'm a runner who is training for a marathon dammit.

I have decisions to make.

With winter on its way, I have already decided that I'm going to try to run outside as much as possible and try not to bitch, moan and cry like a baby truly embrace the experience.  Now that I've become accustomed to running outside, the thought of going on a treadmill sucks is just not tempting me. When I first started running, I'd say about 99% of my running was on the treadmill. I didn't run outside at all last year until the temp climbed above 60 - and then, when the temp turned hot - I took it back to the treadmill.

It was OK back then. I wasn't running that fast or long - "long runs" were 4 or 5 miles (sure they eventually built to 10 for long run day, but I only had to do 8 once and 10 once for 1/2 training) it wasn't that big a deal.

But now, the thought of doing 10 miles (2 hours) on a treadmill is giving me hives.

I've already begun to stock up on cold weather gear and have asked Santa for stuff like Under Armour for Christmas. (Really? I used to ask Santa for Gucci or a great new perfume... now I'm asking for Under Armour... yep. It's on the list right next to compression socks and sports bra. Yee haaaaa, how things change...)

Sorry for the digression.  Anyhoo...

Tomorrow I've gotta do six. It's supposed to pour.

Do I literally 'test' the waters and run in the cold rain or do I suck it up and visit my good ol' friends at the gym? I have kind of a crappy wind breaker and a nylon hat. I don't know. What does one even run in outside in the rain? Do I need special gear? Will my sneakers get ruined? My Nike + get waterlogged, my i-Pod explode (or die painlessly?) Inquiring minds...

Real runners run in rain... (I think, in any case say that ten times fast... ;)  What do you think?

XO
Jen
at

13 comments:

  1. JasonNovember 30, 2010 at 7:13 PM

    OK.....well you suck it up buttercup. Unless you got a crystal ball that will tell you that the weather in June on raceday in San Diego is going to perfect you have no clue what the weather is going to be like.

    Secondly, leave the iPod at home and run listening to your breathe and your feet and enjoy the outside. I used to run with an iPod but I find I am more in tune with my body now w/o it.

    No special gear is needed. Long-sleeve tech shirt and some shorts or pants depending on temps. Wear a baseball hat with earmuffs if it is that cold. It doesn't matter what you look like you are a runner not a fashion model.

    You are MIT....Marathoner In Training.....

    OK, that was my hard-nosed coach talking, but seriously run outside b/c you won't know what you are going to get on race day. Embrace,Enjoy and Smile.

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  2. UnknownNovember 30, 2010 at 8:15 PM

    Ha! Well, thank God for you, Coach, because it's the only advice got and I guess I'll take it... ;)

    You are right, of-course, I should be prepped for any weather come race day anyway. And I like being a MIT!

    But leaving the iPod at home is a total deal breaker... I'm not ready to listen to my breathing (or in my case gasping for air) and feet. I can enjoy the great outdoors but I need a little Black Eyed Peas to remind me that "Tonight's gonna be a good night" and all that jazz.

    So I'll make ya a deal, I'll uh, smile, embrace "enjoy" in the rain but I'm keeping my music and will pray it doesn't drown - I'll try to keep it covered.

    The good news - it should be around 45 degrees at run time so it shouldn't be freezing, a bit chilly but not unbearable.

    Thanks very much for the pep talk.

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  3. IzzyNovember 30, 2010 at 8:51 PM

    I use a little zip lock bag (the snack size ones) and I put my ipod in that, has saved it from rain and splash and such, and you can zip lock around the cable and then have the opening facing down so no water gets in :)

    Just don't want to have to change music too much :P

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  4. UnknownNovember 30, 2010 at 8:56 PM

    Great idea, Izzy - I'm soooo doing that. I'll have to just commit to the song that's playing. :)

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  5. AnonymousNovember 30, 2010 at 9:50 PM

    Ignore Jason... he's just being mean. (Totally kidding.) Of course it'll be beautiful outside for your marathon... it's San Diego... where the weather is always boringly perfect.

    I agree with dropping the iPod though, I think you'll get used to, and like running without it... listen to the rain fall. I would recommend a hat and getting some sort of rain jacket (at the top of my wishlist this year along with reflective gear). BUT I also wouldn't count out the treadmill... I get in A LOT of my miles on my treadmill. A LOT. Like 3 out of 5 runs a week are treadmill. Mostly because I have free babysitting while I'm on the treadmill, but still... do whatever works for you, just get your miles in... period. Stick to it! ;-)

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  6. UnknownNovember 30, 2010 at 10:09 PM

    Thanks Lesley!

    Yeah, I have so much running stuff on my list that I'm going to have to start selling furniture or get a second job to pay for it all - lol. I'll manage tomorrow. I won't count out treadmill and am pretty sure that there'll be plenty icy nights for me to rely on it but when possible, I'm going to try to keep it outside.

    I promise to drop the iPod one of these runs but I'm not sure I'm ready to make that scary move right now. I'm already going through withdrawal shakes and twitching just thinking about it. ;) Maybe my next easy run... like a 2 miler. Or something.

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  7. FrannieDecember 1, 2010 at 7:59 AM

    You are a trouper! I totally lost momentum after our half! Ok... I'm running tonight ... rain or no rain! Ha... check with me tomorrow on that one... look forward to hearing your story!

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  8. financecupcakeDecember 1, 2010 at 2:24 PM

    I agree with a lot of what Jason said, including the bit about losing the ipod. :) Cold weather gear? Put on a coat. You'll be fine. :) Are you going to post your running-related Xmas wish list? I'd love to see it!

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  9. UnknownDecember 1, 2010 at 3:01 PM

    Thanks Christina -- Yes that Christmas list is coming soon! :)

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  10. The Boring RunnerDecember 1, 2010 at 5:52 PM

    Yep! Totally agree with Jason. Quite honestly, it will suck but that is OK.... your race could very well suck that much too!

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  11. UnknownDecember 1, 2010 at 10:18 PM

    Ha -- next time it rains, I will suck it up and run outside.

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  12. reluctantmommaDecember 2, 2010 at 1:55 PM

    I have run a few times in the rain - not cold rain...not harsh rain - it was a spring shower and I felt very liberated - I felt like I was in a movie - it was awesome - but...cold, icy rain....uhhh NO DICE:)

    I HATE what Jason said about the ipod - I've heard it before and I hate it still...

    I know I should listen to my body, my mind...blah blah blah...

    I just like to escape when I run - my music lets me do that - it is for me, like taking a 1 hour vacation.

    I digress.

    I am looking forward to seeing your running wish list - I myself am desperately seeking strech pants - think leggings - but warmer - b/c I hate when my pants fall up or down...

    I am babbling....

    The end.

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  13. UnknownDecember 2, 2010 at 2:26 PM

    LOL - Thanks -- I better get my Christmas wish list together! Ha ;)

    I like to escape with my music too... I would've never got thru the treadmill yesterday if I left my music home.

    One of these days, maybe I can become one with my feet and breathing. For now, I remain one with Cher. And Madonna.

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