Winter wear, cheer...never fear!

"Every mile is two in the winter" George Herbert - Isn't that the truth! This is when you chuck the GPS mile tracker and go out for time, that snow running is a beast to be beaten!

We have been blessed with a lot of snow here in CNY! And what is the best way to deal with it? GET OUT IN IT! Good gear creates good cheer with a never fear attitude!

Good gear - my Whole Running girls have taken a wonderful liking to the Mountain Hardwear transitional jacket. We have team orange, team green, team red.... from what I can see, it is the best jacket around (and I am sure that is speaking for many!). Temps are in the low teens and some are wearing a t-shirt with this jacket! It is super windproof! Next we have tights - my favorite, of course the Mountain Hardwear transitional tights - my legs are super duper warm, even with the many falls in the snow. Windstopping material on the quads - and pockets! Then we have the socks - Drymax socks are by far the BEST socks around. My feet tend to get super cold and to have the red drymax winter socks or even their trail socks will surely make happy feet. Along with the socks, you need some good traction shoes - any Montrail trail shoes will do - most popular are the Mountain Masochist, and Rockridge. Trail shoes are the way to go in winter snow running. The gryptonite material along with the warmth of material keeps your feet still stable (well, as stable as can be in deep snow...but look how strong your ankles are getting!). So there is the perfect clothing for winter running.


Good cheer - well, the days are shorter and most people tend to hibernate a bit, get off the routine, too busy to put on some happy vitamin D miles. As I have seen in myself and many of you who keep the consistency - the time you make for yourself adds less stress to your day and more energy to handle the business. Holidays are many at this time and can also add on the pressure. Why take away the one thing that may relieve the pressure? Add on the cookies, take away the running...what does that create? Keep the routine, the consistency, and the benefits will be amazing come Spring. Benefits in many ways. Running in the snow is a challenge, like running in sand - developing muscles that are generally not used. Embrace this challenge, step outside the comfort, and when the snow is gone, the trails will be that much easier!

NEVER FEAR - take the roads less traveled and see how your body and mind grows. NEVER FEAR - be the first to send out the note to ask others to join you on the cold, windy, winter runs - those friends are probably waiting for it and it will commit you to get out.

Embrace this holiday season in many ways...but don't forget to embrace yourself - it will make all the difference.

"Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; love more and all good things will be yours. Swedish Proverb