When I started down the ultra-running rabbit hole, I knew it would come with some tradeoffs especially with my time. Now that I’m training for my longest distance yet, it will take up even more of my time.
It’s winter now in the Northern Hemisphere, which means sketchy conditions for at least another three months. I spend a lot of time on the road driving to the mountains for much of the year. By the time the snow begins to fly, I am ready for break from all the driving.
Don’t get me wrong, you know how much I love running on trails and climbing in the mountains, but I must weigh the benefits of driving an hour to the mountains or staying close to home to train.
Sinister 7 is no joke. I need to get in solid runs and distance. While winter running in the mountains can be amazing, there can be some downsides including safety risks on the road and on the trail, logistical issues, and unpredictable weather.
I am not giving up running in the mountains – I am just being smarter. I’ll check the weather, review trail reports, and choose the best days to head out. I don’t do well with winter with it shorter days and unpredictable weather.
Cutting down on travel time will help me focus on quality training, consistency, and recovery. I am in the base building phase now so I want to ensure I have enough time to find in strength and mobility training.
Focusing on consistency, strength, sleep and recovery now will pay off when the miles get longer and the days get brighter. The mountains will still be there, and I’ll be ready to tackle them stronger than ever
What is your winter training like? Do you focus on strength and mobility? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.