Roads are too icy and no treadmill, what to do?

Runner-9999 wrote:

older runner wrote:

put 3/8" sheet metal screws into sole with a drill. put them on outer edge and a few in the toe and the heel. if you can feel the screw point just move it . can run on anything. if you are on asphalt or concrete sections the sound will soon numb out.

+1

this really works

+2

We're talking full speed on ice with no problems whatsoever. Best/cheapest thing you can possibly do.

Do you live on a farm? There’s not a single Y or gym within a 30min drive?

Planet Fitness memberships are $10/month.

with yaktrax you can run across an ice rink

You can always run in place, such as in a basement. I don't like it but I do not run on ice, due to several bad experiences (e.g., broken bones).

Old secret wrote:

Do 20 min of a 1 min on 1 min off fartlek, holding your breath instead of running.

+ 1. This really works

I run all winter outside in northern Alberta, Canada, often in very cold weather and often on very icy paths, roads and walkways. I use screw shoes (sheet metal screws on soles of running shoes) when conditions are more hard packed snow. When it is really icy and the ice is very hard the screw shoes don't bit as well and in those conditions I use my carbide studded "Ice Bug" shoes.

https://www.icebugcanada.com/collections/running-shoes

They work great and I would recommend them anytime.

Bra-ket wrote:

Do those high knee things that that one old school runner did.

There was an awesome thread on running on the spot or indoors about a year ago on here. It was the type of thread that justifies this site, for all it’s ills. Definitely top 3 threads ever.

Aside from previous suggestions regarding sheet metal screws or spikes, can you find a place that is not paved and has grass, dirt or some other surface where there is no ice?

50-60 yards of this is all you need.

Once knew a guy from South Africa who moved to 10000 feet in Colorado to train. People in South Africa said he was crazy and would not be able to run in the ice and snow. He told them he would shovel a 100 meter path and run back and forth if he had to. He ran over 210 k all winter on and through the ice and snow, and won Comrades that June.

Ran outside every day of the storm of the century that put Buffalo on the map.

Then I ran outside every day for the next 2 1/2 weeks while the National Guard cleared the roads.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blizzard_of_%2777

Man up and grow a pair.

Running in grass is probably the dumbest suggestion.

Everywhere is getting tons of snow and no one shovels grass.

He/she would be treking through a foot of snow Rocky IV style.

Go to a gym or sneak into a hotel gym.

Fu$$ running on ice. I don’t want to get hurt from falling.

Running outside in shitty unsafe conditions doesn’t make you a man except for on this dumba$$ thread.

This is my favorite LR comment this year. All the runners to Mexico or the New York public library! Hurry!

Of course running outside in shitty conditions doesn't make you a man. I was a man way before the Blizzard of '77.

You can go about 3 days without losing fitness. Otherwise, pool running is your next best bet for a running activity. After that some cardio equipment at the gym is the next best idea.

Push up against the wall and do high knees/sprints until you pass out.

Find some rope and have a family member pull you back while you sprint.

Run on the spot.

Just do core/squats/leg work.

There's lots of options if you think about it.

I have a pair one half size larger in the Distance model. They are fine for winter ice running.

??Grass?? wrote:

Running in grass is probably the dumbest suggestion.

Everywhere is getting tons of snow and no one shovels grass.

He/she would be treking through a foot of snow Rocky IV style.

Go to a gym or sneak into a hotel gym.

Fu$$ running on ice. I don’t want to get hurt from falling.

Running outside in shitty unsafe conditions doesn’t make you a man except for on this dumba$$ thread.

Or like this legend.

Push Ups!

don't run on frozen ground. it is a recipe for plantar. worse case i ever had was running on trails with a lot of pine cones (inside is like a pencil). lumpy frozen ground is the worst so if the trails melt a little during the day due to sunshine stay off them if you can.

Been wearing my trail shoes lately on the snow/ice and feel like I'm only 30-45 seconds slower than usual. I'm still being super cautious but it has been working.

I'm all for finding grass areas like parks are sports fields where there isn't much snow and getting in some boring miles.

$10/month will get you a treadmill somewhere. A lot of gyms even do free 1 week trials.