We have a local running group here in Southeastern Michigan. This winter ( as every winter) there have cold days, icy days, snowy days, windy days. I’m always the last to bail, but if the weather is too bad I just drive down to our meeting place. When no one shows, I go home and go to back to bed. Truthfully, I’d rather just stay in bed to begin with. So, I’m trying to sort out some weather rules to tell the everyone. Shooting from the hip, I would say -20 deg F windchill or icy roads. Do these limits seem reasonable? Do other groups have similar arrangements? If so what are your rules.
I’m just going to go on the record and say anyone who has real winters is a BAMF for training through them. I mean I’m sitting in my house waiting for it to warm up to 65F before I go ride. Of course my big decision is do I wear knee warmers and use either the SPF 50 or 40 sunscreen.
If i was in MI, the NE, midwest, or that huge 51st state we call Canada I’d have to start lifting weights or something. Fck that running through sleet, ice storms, below freezing temps. No fcking way.
Yeah the snow and cold does suck at first, but there is something very enjoyable about running in the winter. You have to try it. As for the rules I would say 0-F would be my cutoff.
You Ganders are a tough bunch. Coming from a Florida fool, who travels to the north frequently, I would say: icy roads, air temps < 30F or wind chill < 15 - NFW!
Set a time limit. No temperature limit. If you can get there, get there and you wait 7 minutes (or whatever) from the meeting point and then go run. You don’t need any rule, just go run. If people show up, they show up. If they don’t, they don’t. Be happy that you got up to go run, and just go run.
A technician that works for me got frostbite just before Christmas on a day that was about 20 deg F and pretty windy which got me thinking about windchill. After seeing most of the outer layer of skin on his fingers fall off as well as his fingernails. I gotta say don’t do that.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m the last to bail due to weather, but as the organizer of the group I would like to be able to say we run unless xxxxx and be able to stay in bed if it’s too bad out. Right now even if I’m sure no one else will be there, I still go since I sent out the reminder email.
I’ll probably get up and out the door anyway but with limits we could put some alternate plans in place like run in the afternoon or sledding or meet at the bakery for donuts!
I guess the type of group would dictate “rules”. If it’s just a bunch of people getting together, then no rules. But, if people are relying on you for guidance, coaching, etc… Then having an alternate plan would be a good idea. So, I guess, if the temp is positive, go run…negative have a backup plan. Also, this would be a good excuse to go into the local running store and have them inform everyone on proper running apparel for the winter, so that everyone can be prepared.
I’m with you Doug. Ice on the roads is the killer for me. I’ve already took a couple tumbles this year. When it is rotten out- really rotten- I run indoors at the gym in shorts and T-Shirt.
I ran outside today since I can;t make it to the gym and frankly, it was a joke. I think I managed 11:00 pace and it was hard. Mostly I was scared of getting hit by a car or falling.
Yaktrax and windproof tights, you’re good to -13 w/ a wind chill of -30. That was my PB of cold from last winter. I’m missing the freezing blast up there this winter, but it is cool to ride outdoors here in San Antonio. 2010, back to the icebox- can’t wait!