I'm wrapping up 11 days in central Wisconsin. That means my only exercise outlet is running. So, for most all of the days here, I cranked out 10 milers. Here are a few relevant suggestions if you plan to put yourself through the winter torture test:
1) Balaclavas will become your best friend. Wear it always. You can pull it up over your face or down around your neck, as needed. There is some comfort in having a completely covered head and neck when it's chill factor zero or below.
2) Get ready for trashed feet. The surface is perpetually uneven. Semi-shoveled sidewalks, plowed snow mounds across your path, slushed-up roads from salt...it's all there, all the time. Try using a shuffle mode, as that will scrape your shoes off as you go.
3) Embrace patience. I noted that there was a 20%-30% slip on every footstrike. My 10-milers were taking two hours. Set the day's mileage in your brain, get started, then throw the elapsed time stats out the window.
4) Realize that some …
1) Balaclavas will become your best friend. Wear it always. You can pull it up over your face or down around your neck, as needed. There is some comfort in having a completely covered head and neck when it's chill factor zero or below.
2) Get ready for trashed feet. The surface is perpetually uneven. Semi-shoveled sidewalks, plowed snow mounds across your path, slushed-up roads from salt...it's all there, all the time. Try using a shuffle mode, as that will scrape your shoes off as you go.
3) Embrace patience. I noted that there was a 20%-30% slip on every footstrike. My 10-milers were taking two hours. Set the day's mileage in your brain, get started, then throw the elapsed time stats out the window.
4) Realize that some …