by Lionel Brahim Brodie III...., et al.
When was the last time you had a TRUE Snow Day? I'm talking no work, no school, no run. You wake up, make a coffee (or cocoa or tea), pickup grab a book, turn on the television, grab your phone.....and just chill!
We talked about this on the last, first Snow Day. Remember making snowmen, snowball fights, tackle football, day parties?
So what are we doing today? Any/all of the above? Or.....is the full or half day off a chance to get out and get after it in this frozen crystalline water. I'm headed outside in a bit. But safety first! Here are a few tips (if The Snow Day doesn't align with The Rest Day in your training and running programs):
Cancel the run? Maybe. It's winter and the snow could eventually turn to ice, which is worse to run in and more dangerous.
Hit the dreadmill. Do you have access to one? Is your gym open? If either of those answers are yes, let's get it! If no, let's go outside!
Avoid brick or metal. These surfaces are very slippery when wet (Bon Jovi, anyone?). If you must travel across either, it’s usually safer to simply walk!
Run in fresh snow. It may seem counterintuitive, but you’ll actually get better traction if you run in fresh snow. Just be sure to avoid any suspicious–looking divots or bumps, as hazards may be lying underneath the snow. There could be broken pavement that can cause a trip and a twisted ankle.
Shorten your stride. By taking smaller steps and staying balanced, you’ll have a lower chance of slipping in the snow.
Run at a slower pace. Give yourself a little grace. I mean you still getting out, right?
Dress to sweat. You don’t want to bundle up like you’re about to watch the ball drop on NYE. You’ll get much hotter as you run, so a good rule of thumb is to dress as if it’s 20 degrees warmer outside.
Wear Trail Shoes? Yes, trail! Trail footwear tends to have weather–ready fabrics on the uppers and extra traction on the outsole.
Wear Waterproof Shoes. Waterproof (GORE–TEX, GTX) models will keep your feet dry, and like trail shoes, sometimes have extra traction on the outsole.
Add some chains to your tires. The Yaktrax® Run is the only traction device anatomically designed to meet the needs of runners braving the winter elements.
And dont forget your hat and gloves.....
Be safe, have fun, and see ya out there!