Riot and Frolic

a mostly ballroom dance, but also a bunch of other stuff, blog

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I own and rock people’s faces off teaching ballroom dancing at Dancers Studio in St. Paul, MN. My husband and I compete professionally in American style and wrangle eight children in our spare time. I’ve been teaching and competing in ballroom dancing for over 25 years and have lots of opinions on it. I am an expert by any means, but there are quite a few dancers who are better than me and I have a solid knowledge of basic technique, so suck it.

Running on Thin Ice

Running is hard.  Especially for lazy people.  Especially for lazy night owls.  Especially for lazy night owls who like to be warm.

I started hibernation mode when the weather dipped below 10 degrees and I didn't have my ALL-IMPORTANT running hat.  It's cold and I don't have my hat.  I mean, it was really logical not to run- too cold, no hat.   

But then my stupid [awesome] friend, America, decided to text me her running distances every time she, you know, runs.  "Friend."  

And THEN, my ungrateful [totally thoughtful] in-laws mail me my ALL-IMPORTANT hat that I left at their house.  The nerve! 

Now I am not only do I have the constant barrage of texts (okay, daily), but it's like 35 degrees and I have my damn hat.  

FIne.  I'll run.

But it's icy.

Minnesota has had a really great winter this year, because it's not really winter.  I think we've only had three days below zero and that is down right TROPICAL.  It's snowed a little bit, just enough to cover up the grass in most places.  But then it gets all above freezing during the day, which (duh) melts some of the snow, and then all those puddles turn to (duh) ice at night.  

Since I've been running in the morning, it's been a little experiment in runskating.  I've been using Yaktrax off and on.  Those things are nice.  When I hit patchs of ice, it feels exactly the same as running on dry cement.  Score.

The problem is when I'm running over semi-packed snow.  Since those little buggers are like snow tires for your shoes, they grab the snow and kick it up and then I just look like I'm doing the Running Man to celebrate my last mile.  


 

And really, my pace is no reason for celebration.  

Are you a winter runner?  WHY?  Dear God, tell me why.  And how.  Because, baby, it's cold outside.

best picture EVER

Shouldn't he be sparkling?

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2 responses to “Running on Thin Ice”

  1. Marsha Avatar
    Marsha

    I use YakTrax for walking my dog. At almost 60, the osteoporosis means that if I fall, my hips are is serious peril. But yesterday in the fresh snow (underneath which ice is HIDING!)the YakTrax collected little snowballs. LIke the ones that collect between my dogs webbed-for-swimming toes. Felt like walking on rocks, and did not protect me from the hidden ice. So, I have no choice. The dog must be walked outside. But can’t you find a warm place to run in the dangerous and chilly winter? Like an indoor track or gym? I know it’s boring, but it’s safe. Maybe safe is more appealing at 60. :o)

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  2. Rachael (Severson) Abrahamson Avatar
    Rachael (Severson) Abrahamson

    I’m glad to see you tried the Yaktrax! Yes, they are good on ice, not as great on the snow, I concur. But better than falling on your ass because then not only are you cold but your also wet because you’ve now fallen in the cold, wet snow. And to answer your question, I am a winter runner because running on the treadmill all the time sucks (although I have to admit I do most of my running on the treadmill in the winter because I have to do my workouts before the sun comes up and there is no way I’m going out in the cold when it’s dark outside).

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