David Wade's Marathon Training: Running In The Snow... In Shorts
I knew the forecast for last Saturday AM. I knew it well. "Temperatures start in the 30's with quick mid-morning burst of snow." Still, I wanted to wear shorts. After a winter that feels like it started early last summer, I wanted to wear shorts. So I did. It was an aggressive move and, as I soon found out, not all that smart.
My morning run from Hopkinton went something like this:
Mile 1- I can't believe how bad it's snowing.
Mile 2- (To my training partner Scott) Can you believe how bad it's snowing?
Mile 5- Boy, I really wish it wasn't snowing so hard.
Mile 7- Remember that singer Snow in the 1990's?
Mile 9- My knees are covered in snow, that has turned to ice.
Mile 10- Informer, da nana nada na… I licky boom-boom down.
Mile 18- Oh cool. The sun. My run is over.
I wore the shorts (and compression socks for a nagging shin issue) because, they served as motivation. I started this training in the dead of the snowiest winter on record, always knowing it would get me to spring and to my first Marathon. Temps in the 30's weren't going to deter me from my symbol of a new season and a nearly complete training regimen.
It's a weird story I know. And I bet you have one too. I bet you have your own superstitions. What are your motivators? What things do you have to wear? Are there things you must eat before you run? I bet you like to run at a certain time. You probably have a certain route you like best. As part of our Boston Marathon coverage on WBZ-TV, we want to hear about your training and why you are running. If you use Twitter, tweet me at @davidwade and use the hashtag #TeamRun.
Quick update—I mentioned in my last post that I'm running for Autism Speaks. The feedback has been great and I've already had to raise my fundraising goal once. If you'd like to make a donation, just click on this link.
Oh and one more thing, we spoke with the BAA Race Director Dave Mcgillivray this week. He promises the course - which looks like it has been run through a meat grinder - will be ready for April 20th. He's more worried about the amount of snow still on Hopkinton Common and at Hopkinton High School - site of the Runner's Village. The snow needs to melt AND the field needs to dry.