With all of the snow coming down in Allentown, PA I had to make some sort of post about the weather conditions.
From looking at the weather channel it seems as though the snow is hitting all over PA today, and I wanted to make a little post about how it affects training and some ideas.
It's always rough to train in cold conditions, but training in snow makes it dangerous. Roads become slippery which makes it easy to roll an ankle. Not everyone is lucky enough to have indoor facilities avaliable, especially a track, and this is something I didn't have in high school, but feel lucky enough to have on days like today when I was able to do a speed workout inside.
The best advice I can give for days and weeks like this one is to take it easy. The winter season is long and the end of spring season seems ages away, and yes, they will come quicker than you think, but taking a few days easier due to inclement weather is the best thing you can do. Whether you're running outside, indoors, biking, on a tredmill, ect, this week, it is never a day idea to take a step or two back and relax. These beautiful snowy days can be enjoyed by having mini-snow ball fights with your teammates halfway through a run. I've done it a few times myself and they can be quite fun! Even ambush your teammates and possibly coaches :)
The cold weather will stiffen your joints considerably making it more difficult to get rolling (do longer warm-ups or start at a slower pace on a run before getting into a rhythm), but at the same time these are the best days to ice. I know it seems silly, like Forrest, why the heck would I ice after running in the freezing cold? Logically I understand that it seems quite ridiculous, but with our joints stiffened up as runners we won't recover nearly as well and in weather like this we often forget the little things. Now is the time to really stretch well, ice, and recover as we wait for better weather.
One last piece of advice, which in my opinion is the most difficult: stay hydrated! Putting on more clothes will make you sweat and when it's cold outside we are less prone to drink water, but constantly hydrate your body and running will go much easier this week, even if it's painful to continually drink throughout the day, in the end it will do you wonders.
I hope the best for everyone and hopefully no meets get canceled, especially out on the western side of the state!!
Be sure to stay healthy, hydrated, and happy during these snowy days! And enjoy yourselves if you are lucky enough to get off of school!
--ForrestCRN
yeah not to mention "runners penis"
ReplyDeleteThe correct medical term is "dick freeze"
DeleteIt causes shrinkage.
Deletegood observation! ^^
DeleteI can admit that I had some post run pain after the cold today. May have to invest a pair of windbriefs
DeleteYou shouldn't have any pain, just some significant coldness. You should see your doctor before that turns into something serious.
DeleteIt's just the cold, just take some viagra to get the blood flow going down there and you'll be set.
DeleteThe top programs had unofficial practice today.
ReplyDeleteI am 5x the runner Tony Russell will ever be. And i know he reads this blog. COME @ RUSSELL. If you got what it takes?!?!?
DeleteSo you post as anonymous.....Telling to say the least.
DeletePossible post regarding Madison Holleran (UPenn athlete that commited suicide)? Info on the story and general thoughts? Maybe just a good way to remember her
ReplyDeleteIt's truly unfortunate to see this happen. I wish the best for her family, friends, and the whole UPenn community. We lost a student and friend this year too and I know how rough that can be. Just think of it like this: she's in a better place; a place where every time you run you get runners high and booty lock ceases to exist. That and you can eat whatever you, be as lazy as you want, and still be in perfect shape. Sounds like a solid place to me.
DeleteJust a quick word on life I guess:
The high school to college transition is extremely rough, especially for certain majors. Stress is such a large part of college when it really shouldn't be. Never take anything too hard or get down on yourself too much. Getting a job after college is basically 10% GPA and 90% connections. Failed exams and quizzes will happen. So will lifelong friendships and the acquired knowledge that comes with these four years, mostly outside the classroom and mostly on things that will help later on in life, not that nonsense you learn in orgo chem like carbon has the highest melting point of the elements at 3800 degrees celsius (for you engineers/science majors out there, just wait until orgo, talk about nonsense). Anyway, as Kurt Vonnegut says, "So it goes..." Enjoy the four years because they go by so unbelievably fast. You'll always have your friends and family to get you through the tough times and the tough times will always subside. 99% of the time, as long as you do it in a reasonable fashion, your teachers will too. They'll give you extensions and cut you some slack on exams, you just have to give them a chance. The main point of this is don't waste time being sad when you can be happy.
-Demetrius McCary
--RTJ
*sublimation point, not melting point. Awkward second post correcting myself, but as long as you take away the main point, the specifics don't matter.
Delete-RTJ
You just never know-this girl presumably had everything going for her. I won't even venture to guess why this tragedy occurred but it does make you wonder about the pressure she was feeling. There are always places to turn for help and maybe the pressure she felt was ultimately self-imposed. Running is such a great outlet for my own stress but when it becomes another yardstick you use to measure your self-worth or if your goals are unreasonable, it's time for a break. Talk it over with someone-anyone and remember life is so much more than your grades or latest pr.
ReplyDeleteBeing a division 1 athlete is no joke, especially if you're at in academically challenging program or school. From what I read she was doing fairly well at Penn in her running & academics which makes me think she obviously had serious,underlying issues. Heartbreaking she couldn't see through her desperation & sadness to hang in there & follow through with getting the help she needed.
ReplyDelete-JMO
I have no more insight about this girls tragic decision that the next guy but it's so hard to grasp how suicide was her plan B. After reading a brave, post-funeral in- terview with her father, he said she was a "perfectionist and that her 3.5 gpa at Penn was not good enough for her. He said she was seriously considering quitting track because already, it felt like a job to her. Her father made it sound like she had this planned for some time, because part of her perfectionistic self would have done that-fooling everyone up until the last few moments. So hard to fathom how she could make such a final, dreadful choice.
ReplyDelete