Are You Ready for a Spring Marathon?

Are You Ready for a Spring Marathon?

The Boston Marathon is scheduled for Monday April 20th, 2020 and if you subtract 18 weeks (typical marathon training plan) then you find yourself at December 23rd. So why is that significant? Well, if you live in a location that is in a typically warmer climate zone then there is nothing too significant about the months of December through April. If you live in an area with snow, ice, consistently below zero temperatures, and consistently covered roads and sidewalks, then you might find yourself in a completely different situation.

As I was dodging puddles, ice patches and cars on my run today I was reminded why I chose to not sign up for a Spring marathon this year. Playing the game of "How am I going to get my long run in today" or "Do I do my 10 mile tempo on the treadmill to ensure good footing?" was something I wasn't willing to commit to this year. Freezing temperatures, minimal sunlight and poor sidewalk conditions really took a toll on me last year and all for one day in April where nothing is guaranteed. I put my heart and soul into marathon training just to have a mediocre day and get my heart broken by the Milwaukee Marathon. Note - I still had a PR and a great time, however I was disappointed that I fell short of both my A and B goal. I trained for a 3:15 and ran a 3:24. Looking back I'm proud but on that day knowing everything I put myself through in the winter, I was disappointed.

Training in the winter in the Midwest is no joke. It's not necessarily the freezing cold temperatures that are a problem...in fact it can be quite comfortable to run in 35 degrees with the proper clothing. It's the snow and ice covered roads that cause a problem. Right now in Central Wisconsin we have already had a snow day from school. We have had approximately two Winter Storm Warnings, snow falls, multiple wind advisories, and sub zero temperatures. The snow falls, the roads get as cleared as possible and then the temperature drops freezing all remaining precipitation to the road in the form of packed snow, ice or both. The side roads are typically left to be cleared last leaving only the completely clear roads to the busy highways. Sidewalk clearing usually doesn't happen right away and if it gets really cold then people typically leave it until it turns to a frozen rock-like mess and only semi-push it to the side. When everything melts in Spring then it starts to rain leading to many roads getting flooded over...no seriously, to the point you can't pass through unless you're willing to wade through knee deep water in 35 degree temps.

The year-round runners are left with a sloppy, slippery, rock-hard mess to navigate while putting their lives at risk by running in the roads to avoid the unclear sidewalks. Oh, I forgot to mention if it's in the 20 degree range then you are in layers upon layers of tights, gloves, hats, buffs, base layers, and jackets to keep warm. 

This can mess with your head people.

If you're considering a Spring marathon then there are some things that you need to be ready for. I don't write this to discourage you from a Spring run, I write this as to help you navigate your training successfully.

Your typical paces will be slower

Be ready for this. Cold weather slows you down to begin with. Icy sidewalks and snow covered roads slow you down even more. You may find your easy runs to be over a minute slower than usual AND THAT'S OKAY. You may find that your tempo runs require more effort to hit paces that were a breeze in the fall AND THAT'S OKAY. Be forgiving and don't get discouraged over not hitting your times. This online calculator gives you a realistic adjustment to your training that you would expect in ideal conditions - cold, wind and precipitation ALL play a factor.

You might have to get creative for workouts

If you have a 10 mile tempo on the schedule with warm-up and cool-down then you may have a day with 14-15 miles on the schedule. You might have hill repeats on deck followed by an easy run.  You might have an 18 mile long run scheduled the day of a snow storm. You might not be able to find 15 miles of clear road or sidewalks  or even a cleared off hill in order to set yourself up for success which leaves you a few options. Your first option is to find the clearest route possible and get your workout in to the best of your ability. This could mean your pace will be a little slower if you run into a packed sidewalk or roadway. A second option is to buy a gym membership or treadmill and complete your workout on the treadmill. I don't even need to explain why this would be miserable...however you would be certain as to having a clear route. A third option is to locate an indoor track at a college or high school and run in circles - clear route but could wreak havoc on your left knee with the tight turns. A fourth option is to find a clear loop in a neighborhood and do multiple loops. Really, the possibilities are endless...it's all up to your tolerance of bordem.

At some point you will probably have to run in the dark

Today the sun came up at 7:30 AM and will set around 4:20 PM. I'm at work from 7:40 AM to 3:40 PM so I choose to run directly after work before I drive home in order to get about 50 minutes of daylight for my run. I know a lot of early morning runners that get their runs in before their families are up. Regardless of your situation, if you need to be out the door before sunrise or after sunset then get yourself some good reflective gear, a headlamp and be ready for a pep talk to get yourself out the door.

So why would you even run a spring marathon?

Boston Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, Illinois Marathon, Milwaukee Marathon, Carmel Marathon, Flying Pig Marathon...these are all excellent spring races. Most people look at the Boston Marathon as the pinnacle of all marathons; the bucket list race. There are so many good races in the spring that it seems silly to limit yourself to only fall races.

Spring weather, although variable, is an excellent time of year to run a race. Forty - fifty degrees, slightly overcast and maybe a hint of sun is the best weather you could ask for over the course of 26.2. You take into consideration that some races may end up in a rainy windy mess (Boston 2018) but that is a game you play when you sign up for a race at any time of the year.

Another reason is to have some extra motivation through the winter. Some people love winter sports. I find cross country skiing requires coordination and the last time I tried I felt the equivalent of a newborn baby giraffe with death sticks strapped to my feet.  I've tried snowboarding a couple of times but the lift ticket and equipment are expensive and I don't live near enough to a ski hill for that to be worth it. I should also mention that I've never been so sore from anything as snowboarding (my fingers were sore the next day). Other winter activities just never spoke to me. Seasonal disorders, lack of vitamin D, "cabin fever," and too much sitting are all things that plague us Midwestern folk. What better way to get through the winter then by bundling up and walking out your door for free?

In conclusion, if you're signing up for a spring marathon you have to mentally prepare yourself. It's going to be challenging, it's going to be cold, it's going to be frustrating. You will doubt every ounce of your fitness and you will more than likely miss a couple of scheduled runs. You may fall on the ice, have your eyelashes freeze and find your water bottle to end up being a frozen Popsicle after 10 miles. People will call you crazy and it's possible you will run 12 miles either on an indoor track or a treadmill and it will all be in preparation for one race where all conditions (except training) are completely out of your control. So, what are you waiting for?

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