Quote:
Originally Posted by The_Jazz
Maybe I'm a hardass this way, but I've yet to find the weather that I couldn't run in.
I've run in ice storms, through hail, in lightening (although I don't recommend that one and it wasn't on purpose), within a mile of a tornado (again, not recommended or on purpose) and in a heat index above 130 F. Were those particularly smart things to do? For most folks, probably not. For someone who was acclimated to the conditions and prepared for them with the right equipment and hydration, etc.? It wasn't a bad thing.
Unless it is physically dangerous - as in you're going to get hit by something - get your ass out for a run.
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With respect, unless you are a competitive runner, that's foolhardy.
Yes, a real racer probably should take the risk and get out there. You're trying to make the college team or something? Sure.
For someone running for fitness? No, when it is extremely cold or icy you should not be running. The odds of hurting yourself are increased exponentially in such conditions. I've lived in Canada for most of my life and have run here for many years and know the very real dangers of winter weather.
The fitness runner should not give in to some macho "I'm a runner and I'm gonna gut it out" mentality when they have a viable option of a treadmill or indoor track option.
My personal limits are reached when it is below -15 celsius as I find this is the point when, if you are out for more than an hour or so in light running clothes, the risk of frostbite gets very real (especially if the wind is kicking up). Additionally, if everything is a sheet of ice, I'm not turning an ankle or worse and being out of action for weeks when I could've just jumped on the treadmill instead.
Typically, there are maybe 20 or days each winter that are affected by such conditions here, and maybe on 12 of those I was scheduled to run. Those 12 runs go on the treadmill or on the indoor track (although I find the track annoying personally).