Monday, January 30, 2012

Monday Motivation: My top ten reasons for running outside this winter.


10.  It is easier than running when it is hot out. Less risk of getting heat stroke..really! If you get hot just roll around in the snow, or take some layers.

9. Enhances mental toughness.  When you learn to deal with your eyelashes freezing together and your water bottle contents turning into a chunk of ice 20 degrees F feels like a breeze in comparison.

8. Quiet time away from the kids and demands of the house, job, etc.  I don't get that if I hop on the elliptical, the kids can't seem to stand to not bug me for more than 15 minutes.  or not fight.  or spill something.  or make a mess.
Ahh, just me, my dog, and the open road.

7. Vitamin D!  So easy to get deficient on during the winter. Although if you want to maximize the Vitamin D you get you need to be outside ideally from 10-2pm
Hello Sunshine!

6. Mood booster!  Getting outside and exercising can help with  seasonal affective disorder. Don't I look happy?

5. You are running outside, that beats the treadmill or in my case the elliptical any day.




4. The scenery is beautiful.

3. When you run in powdery snow it can be a bit like running in sand and makes you work harder which in turn makes you stronger and a better runner.

Just like on the beach only colder!
2. When spring temperatures finally come around and you get to shed the tights and long sleeve shirts for shorts/skirts and a tank you feel a bit like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.  It feels so freeing. I love that feeling.

Don't I look like a butterfly?
1. Everyone will think you are one bad-ass hardcore runner for being out there when it is ten degrees out (or less).

Layer up, you'll be fine!


 What is your top reason for running outside this winter?

36 comments:

  1. I love the crazy looks from motorists, but most of all love the silence of a winter run!! Just the squeak of the shoes on the now!

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  2. I also love the peace during the winter. The most you hear are the creaking of the trees under the weight of snow. Now all PA needs is more snow and less rain!

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  3. You are so badass!!! Seriously if you can get out in that then I have zero excuses!! My #1 reason is definitely the mood boost...the fresh air and sunshine beats the dusty lights of the gym any day!

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  4. Running outside is definitely better than running inside! I was forced onto a treadmill last summer because of humidity and I just could not stand it... I absolutely hated running on the treadmill, although it did help me with speed. I'm loving the great running weather right now, it's pretty much perfect here in Florida!

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  5. I love that really eerie silence that snow brings...it's almost like a sound in itself! There's NOTHING like running on the trails during or after a good snowfall!

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  6. Yes x 10! Snowy winter runs are magical.

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  7. 100% agree! Winter has become my favorite season to run. Love being the first to run in fresh snow.

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  8. Love the open road, just me and my dog (and whatever critter he is chasing). And for the most part, I love feeling like a badass runner, but Im afraid Im the only one who thinks that....everyone else just looney.

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  9. I love my winter outside runs...though I've been really lucky this year where there hasn't been too much snow or ice. I think if I were running in an area like you I'd be forced to invest in some ice treads for my sneakers....but I DO admire you and think you're hardcore ;)

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  10. I definitely agree with all of those especially #1. You are definitely more hardcore than me!

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  11. the fresh, crisp air. oh, and I'm with you on the no kids thing too. To not hear MOMMA every 30 seconds is just bliss!

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  12. This I love layering up and getting out in the cold to run. Being outside just makes me so much happier.

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  13. Great list - I love the cold, crisp scent!

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  14. You guys have had soo much snow up there right? More than usual?

    I ran in the snow over the weekend too and I loved it! No doubt that the white stuff makes us stronger! :)

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  15. The views, the fresh air (which actually feels like it's physically cleaning out my cobwebby brain) and the badass factor. :^)

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  16. LOVE all of these and I totally agree that running outside really isn't too bad once you get going. I definitely prefer cold weather running over the extreme heat of summer. You look great in all of the pictures. :D

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  17. I love winter running too! The ideal running with a jogging stroller weather is like 60 degrees, so I'm looking forward to the spring too!

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  18. I Run outside because I have no other choice, treadmill hurts! It does feel good once I warm up enough, but I can't wait for it to be back in the plus side again, so I don't have to bundle up the twins like they are going to the arctic instead of running around Toronto!

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  19. I wish I had something more motivational, but I run outside because that is my only option! I agree that is it way better than summer running!

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  20. I wish I had more opportunities in daylight at the moment. Roll on longer days! :)

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  21. Winter is a relative thing around here, I think the coldest temp I've run in is 40 degrees, but I run outside because I just get tired of the treadmill sometimes, staring at the wall sucks!

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  22. I love your list! Especially #1. So jealous of the scenery you get to run in. Sometimes I wish I lived in a more rural area.

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  23. I love running outside and don't mind the cold - most days :) Your pictures are great!

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  24. You have some beautiful space to run! And, I can't get over how much I LOVE your header. EVERY time I see it, I like it more!

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  25. Especially #2

    Love that furry hat.

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  26. you had me at beautiful scenery and badass!

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  27. Love this!

    My top reason for running outside this winter = the "winter" is mild here and I'd just rather be outside 99% of the time :)

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  28. love the pics!!!
    my top 10?
    here we go
    1 to 10 reason: I live in California where they "think" they have a winter. I call that cooler summer.

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  29. I LOVE running outside, it's so much better than on the treadmill. So I make a point to run both days on the weekend if the weather is nice. But if the temps are too cold, sometimes I wimp out, but I am trying not to let the cold keep me inside.

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  30. You are so cute! you have a GREAT smile!.....and I actually quite like running in the cold too:) as long as the hard winds stay at bay, I'm good;) xx

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  31. I don't really have to deal with the snow, but I usually run outside all winter. I'm inside for work and inside for most of the day typically - so getting out in the elements for my run clears my mind and invigorates me...

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  32. Wow!! That looks...so cold!! Good for you for being a hard core winter runner. Eyelashes frozen together? I'm not that tough.

    Love the springtime photo... now thats my kind of running :)

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  33. My reason is simple: I HATE the treadmill!!!!

    I can't possibly get to my head emptying, happy place when all I can think is "when can I get off this stinkin' treadmill!"

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  34. no one believes me but i really do miss my winter runs, not the crazy cold one's but the cool winter. everything feels so crisp and quiet...oh the quiet

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