Stephanie Snyder
Staff Reporter
Runners have been layering their athletic attire for the winter weather for the past three months, but with the sub-zero temperatures bystanders may question how they stay motivated with the icy streets and sharp winds.
A typical runner will train all year so they can adjust to the changing seasons.
Some seasons are easier to get in their workouts than others, but the extremes, like summer and winter, can be a challenge.
“In the winter it’s really cold, icy and snowy,” said senior Bobby Mette. “Going out there every day and just battling the elements makes us so much tougher and stronger for indoor season and then moving to the outdoors.”
Fighting against mother nature can prove to be difficult while training outdoors. For runners looking to beat the rain and snow, setting goals and staying in the battle is important.
“The first couple days are going to be kind of rough because you’re going to be sore and you’re going to be tired,” said senior David Weber. “So just write down (your goals) on a piece of paper and put it somewhere where you’ll see it. Even if it’s just a mile, don’t get discouraged.”
A lot of prep work goes into preparing for the competitive season and runners do not let the weather get in their way. Some runners wear tights and jackets, but it ultimately depends on what they feel comfortable working out in.
“We like to stay warm but then again we also want to be able to run the best workout we can,” Mette said. “Usually the first couple miles it can be pretty cold but then once you get going you work up a sweat.”
With the Chicagoland area reaching its record number of 20 days below zero reported by a CBS Chicago news weather report back on Feb. 10, it has become critical for people who run outdoors to prepare themselves for the chilling environment.
“As long as you don’t stop you’ll be fine for the rest of the run, but if you do stop all that sweat just freezes instantly and the rest of the run can be pretty brutal,” said Mette. “It’s always cool when we get done with a run and the sweat on our faces has turned into ice, so we have some pretty awesome ice beards -at least for those of us who can grow facial hair.”
For the athletic runners at North Central College, it is important to work as a team and make the time spent out on the icy streets a motivating practice.
“We try to make it more fun in the winter just because it’s so cold,” said Weber.
