Why I Love But Hate Running in The Winter

Yes, it’s true I have a love-hate relationship with winter running. In all honesty I have a love-hate relationship with winter in general. You may think that because I have a winter birthday I would love winter and praise it as my favorite season. Well this is most definitely not the case.

By the time February hits my love of winter running is dwindling and I long for daylight and milder temperatures. Winter is the time I am reminded why I am thankful to live in the Inland Northwest and not in Montana, where winter can start in September and end in May.

There are reasons to love winter. For its fashion!! I love winter boots, sweaters, big chunky scarves, cute beanies and hats, and mittens. Also, I love the excuse of curling up with a good book and drinking hot coco next to a warm fire. Something you rarely, if ever do in the summer, unless it’s at our lake cabin in Montana.

Some would argue they love winter because they love skiing. I used to, but with age I have lost my love for cold weather sports, and I am hanging on by a string with running in the winter.

Why I HATE, but LOVE running in the WINTER:

• I HATE the icy road conditions: This is typically caused by the freezing rain or wet snow in the Inland Northwest, or the lack of snow plows knowing how to do their job properly. These conditions make it so hard to keep your footing.
• But I LOVE running on a blank, white slate: At the same time, fresh powdery snow is the best to run in. It’s soft and offers a new world to explore.
• I HATE the ice, snow packed roads: Again snow plows fault, and because it decides to snow and snow, a wet snow, but then freeze, and then snow again. This makes running extremely difficult and annoying, but you burn even more calories. You never know when you’ll hit an ice patch.
• I LOVE the winter wonderland winter creates: Waking up to fresh snow, and a white, snow covered world is simply amazing. It helps add a new look to my over-used, same old boring routes. It just looks pretty.
  
• I HATE having cold hands and feet: I may be more of a baby with this, because of my poor circulation in my hands and feet and a condition known as Raynauds. My hands and feet get cold very easily. I have to use hand warmers when the temp’s drop below 30 degrees, if I am going longer than 10 miles. Having numb fingers just hurts!!
• I LOVE winter running apparel: I wouldn’t have an excuse to wear those winter tights if it wasn’t “winter.” I love my winter tights and thermal tops. There’s fun colors, and cute running vests and jackets to have an excuse to buy. Winter gives me a legitimate excuse.
• I HATE sub-zero temps: When your nose hairs freeze, snot is frozen to your face and your forehead is hurting, you know it’s cold outside. These are the mornings when winter running is it’s worst. My sister asks me how I do it, and I replied to her once “Well after a couple miles and your face goes numb, it’s fine, because you can’t feel the cold anymore.” She replied, “That doesn’t sound fun to me. I’ll stick to indoors.” #enoughsaid
• I LOVE the frost yourself look: You just look super intense when you return with frosted eyebrows and eyelashes, and for guys beards. It’s the only time you can truly “frost yourself.”
  
• I HATE the windchill: This makes it hard to breathe, and chills you right to the bone. It literally freezes the hairs right off and makes for sore breasts when nursing. It causes that eyebrow sting, and sometimes there’s nothing worse!!
• I LOVE when the sun glistens on the snow: This makes for a beautiful picture. It’s best at sunset or sunrise. The sun makes the snow glitter and it just feels magical 😉
  
• I HATE having to bundle up every morning for a 30 minute run: It takes almost more time to put my layers on, then it does to complete the run. I long for the tank and shorts.
• I LOVE the fun races: Winter races are fun, because you forget about speed and compete at a different level with just as crazy runners as you. It means fun outfits for the Jingle Bell Run or Valentines Run or Turkey Trot and snotty, running noses worn on everyone, with rosy cheeks.
• I HATE the darkness: Wearing a headlamp or knuckle lights just gets tiresome. It doesn’t make it easier to get up when it’s pitch black outside, and the probability of tripping on a twig or stumbling in a pot hole is very high. Plus you can’t enjoy the nature around you.
• I LOVE the added challenge and resistance: Running in snow, if you have ever tried it, adds more resistance to your running. It’s not about speed on most days. You simply go out and focus on footing and digging deep. It’s like running in sand.
  
• I HATE the lack of shoveled sidewalks and the drivers: Rarely anyone shovels their sidewalks, so the only more clear place to run is the shoulder of the road. But this causes car horns honking and yelling drivers and hand gestures, and in most cases a fall….and falling on ice packed roads HURTS!!
• And finally, I HATE-LOVE that has much as I HATE running in the winter, I simply can’t stop running in the winter because I LOVE it.

It’s true, as much as I complain, I complain when it’s too hot too. There’s no other way to describe my winter running, but then a love-hate relationship. As you may have already began to notice, it’s apparent that no mater how much I HATE it, I also LOVE it.

Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit

What do you love and/or hate about winter running?