I plan on continuing to run like I am now. Summer for me ended up being the off season with kids and sailing taking priority over running.

With an ultra in April, I'm planning on getting into to my training schedule in mid Nov. Nearly all of my miles will be outside as I embrace running in Minnesota winters.

One thing I won't do when running when there's snow or ice on the ground is speedwork. I'll take my strides slow and short to keep upright. Last year I only fell once.

My plan is for adding more hilly trail miles. The long trail run(s) on the weekend, a mid distance trail run midweek, and 3 days of easy road running.

Last winter, I was training for Boston. That meant running 6 days a week. 4 days were running outside, 2 were speed work on an indoor track, with a 3 month facilities membership. If it got too cold, I had the option to be indoors even when speed work wasn't schedule. If the weather was nice enough, and the workout was measured in miles, I'd be outside instead of on the indoor track. (e.g., 2 mile warmup, 2 x (4 miles at MP, 1 mile at T), 2 mile cool down.)

There was only one Saturday when it was so cold and windy I didn't think I could do my long run outside; that day I ran 177 laps of the 200m track for my 22 miles. If it had only been 13 miles, I would have been outside; but there was a 100% chance of water bottles freezing solid by the time I got through 13 miles in that weather.

I'll be starting marathon training the week of Thanksgiving, following the Galloway plan. So, that means my winter running will be even more structured that the rest of this year was. I'm also planning one day of a bootcamp class and one day of yoga per week.

I live in the south so winter here is ideal running season, but we also don't get snow. Summer is a nightmare....like trying to run in sand and breathe soup.

For days I can't run I hop on the elliptical or treadmill or I do Hiit workouts. I cross train twice a week and strength train several times a week on my running days, too. Any workouts that helps train your endurance is usually a good substitute for days you can't run.

Redhouse6758 wrote: »

I am going to restart my training efforts in January in the gym on the treadmill as I live in PA and winter has finally decided to show up. I plan to follow Jeff Galloway's half marathon training plan, I am striving to participate in the Broad Street, Marine Corp and Minneapolis half.

I'm going to use Hal Higdon's beginners half plan. My first ever half is in April. Down in the south I can pretty much run outside year round.

Winter season prep: Take the $5 discount for Black Friday registration to the GRTC Freezeroo series. Commit to 6 races:

5K December 3
7.5 mile January 1
5 mile January 14
5 mile January 24
8 mile February 11
4.4 mile February 25

I had already registered for the Winter Warrior Half Marathon on January 7, so it's going to be a busy winter running season. And of course this overlaps the training cycle for Boston 2017. Should be a lot of fun. (In 2016, the 8 mile race was canceled for weather. That was the day I ran 22 miles on an indoor track.)

My winter training has really gotten into gear in the last couple of weeks. I am in Bangor, Maine and running outside year round presents challenges but I can't stand Treadmills! Power to those who can. I am currently running 25mpw ramping up to 35 by the end of March. My hope is to be selected in the lottery for the USMC marathon in the fall. If not I will pick another fall marathon to train for.

Over the years I have managed to acquire appropriate running accessories to run in the cold. I have been very happy with UA Coldgear. I am happy to see they have finally come out with a variety of colors besides black, navy, and gray since I run at 5am in the dark. Gloves have always been a challenge but I have finally solved that problem as well.

I shorten my mileage during the winter and must be careful of my routes. In many cases after the snowstorms and subsequent plows come through the shoulders become nonexistent or treacherous. I do use ice cleats when needed and those aren't much fun to run on over about 3-4 miles. Other things to consider, in July when you're looking at an insulated water bottle thinking that might be handy then in Feb you're wishing you had one! Although Gatorade does tolerate the cold better than just water. Also GU packets do freeze. During a run we all do what we must! Enough said on that.

I think my next purchase will be some sort of gaiters. Dropping through a skim of ice into a 6" deep puddle with miles to go is no fun at all.

All in all I highly recommend outside winter running. It's kind of an adventure and helps break up boredom by shaking things up. Your coworkers and people in your life will think you're nuts but you will find yourself smiling a Lil wider walking get a Lil taller and secretly anticipating the next frigid run.