Chicago is about to sit in the belly of the COLD. 0 degree weather for the next 2 weeks. Outside running is DEAD

Interested in what leads to to get injuries (or believe you will) from the treadmill. Also, why you can't do a long run on one. I assume boredom is the reason for the latter (or the injury thing?). I don't listen to music when I run outside, but on the treadmill I do. This helps with the boredom issue.

I have a treadmill in the house - it's in the front porch enclosure, which is perfect because it is an unheated area, but still receives enough of the ambient house warmth that when it is really cold out, the temp in the enclosure is about 50-55F; perfect for running in shorts/singlet.

Either way, I'm in the Toronto area and we are going to be hit by the same deep freeze as well. There's also a lot of snow on the ground.

good to know

Couple years ago I averaged over 80 miles a week for 10 weeks all on the treadmill. I do most runs on the treadmill from November to March. I haven't missed a day running in almost 3 years and the 2 years before that only missed because of colds. Just turned 53 today. Been on the treadmill everyday since oct 22.

The running I can't do everyday is trail running with a lot of hills. The downhills start hurting my knees and I have to run a few days on flat roads.

40 or so years ago I was a 4:08 high school miler in Northern Illinois with limited access to an indoor track. I ran outside even when it went below zero, although on the worst wind chill days below zero we ran a mile out and back from the school several times to warm up and avoid frostbite. And we wouldn’t even imagined running on a treadmill. And yes, our times were much faster when warm weather hit, which was often mid May or later.

Where is this "GLOBAL WARMING" that the scientists are always talking about??? ?

I'm freezing my butt off right now and tried to run today but couldn't get very far!

Please scientists...no more of this GLOBAL WARMING nonsense - it's not happening!

?

https://weather.com/forecast/national/news/2017-12-18-arctic-cold-outbreak-forecast-christmas-2017

Things have changed wrote:

40 or so years ago I was a 4:08 high school miler in Northern Illinois with limited access to an indoor track. I ran outside even when it went below zero, although on the worst wind chill days below zero we ran a mile out and back from the school several times to warm up and avoid frostbite. And we wouldn’t even imagined running on a treadmill. And yes, our times were much faster when warm weather hit, which was often mid May or later.

What kind of mileage were you guys running in 0 weather?

Things have changed wrote:

40 or so years ago I was a 4:08 high school miler in Northern Illinois with limited access to an indoor track. I ran outside even when it went below zero, although on the worst wind chill days below zero we ran a mile out and back from the school several times to warm up and avoid frostbite. And we wouldn’t even imagined running on a treadmill. And yes, our times were much faster when warm weather hit, which was often mid May or later.

Things changed for me too. I'm 35 years older and a lot slower. I was never on a treadmill until 2002.

In high school we ran outside except for a handful of brutal cold days my coach opened up the elementary school and I ran laps in the hallway. I always attributed the slower times at state one year to the really cold winter we had.

Mileage is uneffected by cold weather. Really...running in 0 is not that different to 15 and 20. You just do it. It helps to have legit winter running gear. I can run in 0 degree with a long sleeve mizuno breath thermo and a jacket and be great. It’s my fingers that have the biggest issue. Good mittens cures that.

You are soft. Undeniably soft. Aren’t you young, too? No excuse.

Scorpion_runner wrote:

Things have changed wrote:

.

What kind of mileage were you guys running in 0 weather?

I live in Chicago. Summer, spring and fall I average about 65-ish miles per week. During the winter I average much less, maybe 40-35 in sub 20 degree weather. However, I spend the same amount of time running outside. I just get less quality and slower easy mileage.

Ran today in sub 15 degree weather. Same time running as usual, but I ran much less distance than would be typical for an hour run in the summer.

For real, just don't be weak.

Balaclava, or neoprene face mask.

Also, running in cold weather does no make someone brave or a champion. Sod's law, what can happen will happen, so sometimes it is best to save the run for a better day to prevent injury. It's harder to stay warm in the cold, everything becomes constricted in the cold, and some leaner, muscular runners have a hard time staying warm in the cold. Muscles are a good heat conductor, so they transfer heat to the outside of the body really fast , so the body loses heat. Fat is a poor heat conductor, so heat stays in the body, thus fatter individuals are a lot warmer.

Scorpion_runner wrote:

Balaclava, or neoprene face mask.

Also, running in cold weather does no make someone brave or a champion. Sod's law, what can happen will happen, so sometimes it is best to save the run for a better day to prevent injury. It's harder to stay warm in the cold, everything becomes constricted in the cold, and some leaner, muscular runners have a hard time staying warm in the cold. Muscles are a good heat conductor, so they transfer heat to the outside of the body really fast , so the body loses heat. Fat is a poor heat conductor, so heat stays in the body, thus fatter individuals are a lot warmer.

I guess that’s why I don’t mind running in the cold. Finally an advantage to being a fat hobbyjogger!

there is a reason why africans are better than americans at running . They DONT DO STUPID S H I T trying to proof who is tough and who isn't. If the conditions are not suitable to run, they don't run. it is as simple as that .

I'll run maybe 15 mins in 0 degree weather, but after that, it's not worth. The body does not run the same, because your body is in survival mode because it is cold, so it is focused on keeping the body warm. Your body will start to send blood to important organs to keep them warm, so leg muscles lose out some blood supply.

It's simple science. why force a run in extreme cold weather when I can save it for a better day?

Not a troll but gotta agree that you seem soft. Sure it’s uncomfortable for the first few miles, but after you get warmed up, even single digits can be nice. Where I’ll agree with you is about running in the dark when it’s snowy and icy. Not pleasant.

It sucks that it is so cold but jeez, it isn't the end of the world. Just know you aren't doing any hard workouts, slow your pace accordingly, dress right and get out there.

It's Chicago, it's winter just deal with it. Worry about your footing more than the cold. If you have a dry road, do loops and stay close to home.

Scorpion_runner wrote:

there is a reason why africans are better than americans at running . They DONT DO STUPID S H I T trying to proof who is tough and who isn't. If the conditions are not suitable to run, they don't run. it is as simple as that .

They also don't have to deal with cold at all. Do you think the Finns in their heyday just shut it down all winter?

I used to do pre-breakfast runs during Winter Study period and just never turned the radio on until I got back when I could hear such cheery news as "It's -14 in North Adams" and they weren't talking wind chill. I just started running from the front door and didn't stop until I was back. And that was wearing cotton and wool.

Scorpion_runner wrote:

there is a reason why africans are better than americans at running . They DONT DO STUPID S H I T trying to proof who is tough and who isn't. If the conditions are not suitable to run, they don't run. it is as simple as that .

I'll run maybe 15 mins in 0 degree weather, but after that, it's not worth. The body does not run the same, because your body is in survival mode because it is cold, so it is focused on keeping the body warm. Your body will start to send blood to important organs to keep them warm, so leg muscles lose out some blood supply.

It's simple science. why force a run in extreme cold weather when I can save it for a better day?

You must run really slowly if you don't get warm. How do you think people ski competitively? On a treadmill?

Do you take summers off because of heat stress too?