Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Winter Running Annoyances

I've been a good little marathon preparer and still gone out in the bitter cold, snow and ice to get my runs in. I've bundled up in multiple layers and attempted to brave the roads. My gadgets, however, didn't get the memo.

1) I bought the Nike Amp+ a couple of months ago to supplement my Nike+/Ipod Nano obsession. I have not been impressed. After only a few months, the buttons aren't working consistently and I suspect that it wasn't made to work in low temperatures.

2) My Nike+ has completely wrong times for mileage and speed. In the snow, it said I was running 6:30-7:30 minute miles, even though I was running a consistent 8-8:30 pace. So, more than once Lance Armstrong told me that I had my fastest mile yet. Check your facts, Lance!

3) However, today and a couple of times recently, the Nike+ has dramatically under counted my pace and said that I was running fewer miles at a slower pace. Today, I ran 3.5 out and turned around. How many miles when I got back? 6.5 total at a 9:30 pace. I did at least 7 at closer to an 8:15 pace.

4) Unrelated to gadgets, I'm having a bit of a feud with drivers. They don't seem to remember that I have the right to the road as much as they do. I'm hardly running out in the road, but I do need to run off of any kinds of ice. I've had a couple choice words for drivers that of course they wouldn't hear because they're talking on their cell phones and blaring music.

5) Now I'm not all complaints today. Thanks to one blogger (who I forget), I've been frequenting the Runner's World module that suggests clothing to wear depending on weather. Take a look. Though it tends to suggest too many layers in some cases, it gives a decent estimate.

1 comment:

Maddy said...

Sorry to hear your gadgets aren't playing along in the frigid north.

You're journey is going well and your marathon is right around the corner!

w00t!