Crummy Weather Challenge Week 4 (Dec 3-9)

270 points this morning...60 minute run

a balmy 30 degrees with 39mph sustained winds and gusts to 45

Since my husband has 50 pounds on me I drafted him...didn't help much. It was kind of cool with the full moon in the dark. There is this one trail back to a road that we hit and there are tons of moose that live in there. It was so dark this morning I was a little nervous about spooking one. You don't want to get charged by a moose.

Crappy weather wishes to all of you this week!

This is going to be a tough month to get points when I'm reducing my running and focusing on swimming.  But I'll get a few runs in here and there and look forward to racking up the points in Jan and Feb. 

They pretend to think you're nuts, but in reality they wish they were as tough as you.  At least that's what I tell myself.

I'm finally racking up some nice points with this cold weather.

I hear ya loud and clear on that one.  However, I find jumping in the whirlpool after a cold run and then hitting the pool is kinda nice.  My bigger pain in the arse has been this freakin taper.  Sure, now the point scoring weather hits after I have put in the bigger volume weeks...

they are on sale at fleet feet for $17.99...I may get a pair and test them out. I definately feel like running on snow and ice slows me down. I am sure its better for balance and muscle strength...but as far as improving pace-its tough in the winter. If they helped to feel more sure footed without weighing you down it seems like it would be worth it.

I will keep ya posted.

I use "traction control" for running on ice and snow all winter. I used to be able to get away with using a trail shoe but found as I get just a little older I dont recover from slips as quickly.

My favorite are the "Spikeys" brand but I am no longer able to find those. I bought the "Get a Grip" brand (at REI) this year. The main complaint with these is the rubber around the toe box so make sure it is not compressing too much there. Instead of using those this year, I opted to use my last years shoes and put sheet metal hex screws in the bottom. Those work great just dont walk on hardwood floors with them. And no, you shouldnt feel pressure points from either the Spikey type or the screws. You should not only feel more sure footed but you are more sure footed.

Some use the Yaktrax, I havent tried those but from what I have seen they tend to slip to the side of the shoe. Also they seem to break more often.

This link has some of the "traction control" options or you can do what I did and head to Lowes for a packet of sheet metal hex screws. And yes you put them in your shoe with the pointy end up toward your foot and no it wont poke your foot!

 http://www.rei.com/online/store/Search?storeId=8000&crumb=Insoles%2C+Gaiters+and+Accessories%5E%26link%3D1%26query%3D*%26cat%3D4500224%26title%3DInsoles%252C%2BGaiters%2Band%2BAccessories%7ESnow+%26+Ice+Traction+Devices%5E%26cat%3D40004307&link=1&query=*&cat=40004307&title=Insoles%2C+Gaiters+and+Accessories&text=1&vcat=REI_SSHP_FOOTWEAR_TOC:N

Hope you have slip free crappy weather workouts!

Tring at 44 - 2006-12-06 7:55 PM Is there a master chart somewhere where we are all tracked oir this challenge just an individual track it and share it thing? (competitive at heart need the motivation of beating others to really drive for it I guess)

Simply add your totals to the weekly thread and I will update on Mon or Tuesday results from the last week and overall.  Welcome!

TriDDS - 2006-12-06 8:34 PM

Tring at 44 - 2006-12-06 7:55 PM Is there a master chart somewhere where we are all tracked oir this challenge just an individual track it and share it thing? (competitive at heart need the motivation of beating others to really drive for it I guess)

There is a thread: Crummy Weather Challenge Week two results That has only thru 2 weeks, but probably will be updated sometime soon. jszat must be busy constructing rome outside of ice and snow!

If you sift through the threads, you will see the week three results are posted in Crummy Weather Challenge Week 3 rundown thread.  And my kids lost interest in watching me build this fort, though it is pretty freakin sweet.

Thanks for the traction tips, Veronica.

Unfortunately, I realized this morning that my tendonitis in my knee has gotton beyond the point of just running thru it and pretending it isn't there.

I am going to take a couple weeks off from running and see what happens. Hopefully with a little TLC I will be back at this crummy weather challenge by January when we can really see some points!

I will still check in with all of you and see how you are doing. Here's to lots of shi* weather!

Sorry to hear about the knee.  Take care of that think and get better soon.  You could still do some OWS's.   We will still be chippin away until end o' March.

Sorry to hear about the knee.  Take care of that think and get better soon.  You could still do some OWS's.   We will still be chippin away until end o' March.

This weeks' point total below.  Some c-c-old runs out there this week.  I'm having trouble keeping my water in my fuel belt from freezing up solid.  Any ideas?  I'm struggling without my regular sips of water that I've become used to.

Thanks TriDDS.  Even though you may have bragged logged some workouts in this thread already, can everyone help a poor donkey out and put your weekly total in this thread somewhere?  I'm subbing for jszat this week. 

You've got through tomorrow so no rush, but I want to get you the accurate results on Monday and I'd appreciate the week's worth of "crummy" work somewhere I can find it.

And, I'll be the guest judge for the craptastic workout of the week, so feel free to brag report on your epic adventures this week as well.  I had some juicy cold runs, but outside of stepping on an unexpected ice glob that almost sent me tumbling, nothing much eventful happened.  I was hoping for below zero, but it was 1-degree this morning.  SHAT!!!   

Run with an ice cube in your mouth?

Seriously, if you start out with hot water in the bottles does it really freeze that fast when under some of your clothes and up against your body?