Well the wind here this past weekend made me stop and reflect. What do you do when the wind is gusting up to 40 mph and it's 40 degrees or lower?
I think I have the perfect solution out my back door. I am very lucky to have the Wissahichon park, part of Fairmount Park, the largest city park system in the country right out my front door. There are 50 miles of trails within a 5 min walk, and a cinder road running along a beautiful creek for 6-7 miles.
When the wind is howling I can duck down into the valley and into the woods and hide from harsh bite of the frigid winds. There are times when I am stripping layers and carrying more than I am wearing. Especially when the sun is beaming in between the trees. Then I'll need every layer as a I run across the meadow at the top of the hill on the way back to my house.
Running out on the trails is one of my favorite training sessions too because of the variety that it provides. I've lived here in Philadelphia and have been running the trails for nearly 3 years, and I'm still finding new trails. Taking a different turn out there can bring you to a new view or a completely different type of habitat.
It also helps me escape from the city. You would never know that you are in the 5th most populous city in the US when you are looking at the waterfall rolling into devils pool on a crisp early morning.
The trails also give my body some new adaptations as well. It keeps me off balance and strengthens my core and stabilizing muscles in my legs. A favorite workout I have been doing lately is a long run pushing the hills on the trails. This can really tear you apart back there, because there are some good hills.
So the next time the wind is howling, don't let it chase you inside. Go to your local trail system and go exploring. You just might find your new favorite place.
Train smart, train hard, and have fun!
Greg
I think I have the perfect solution out my back door. I am very lucky to have the Wissahichon park, part of Fairmount Park, the largest city park system in the country right out my front door. There are 50 miles of trails within a 5 min walk, and a cinder road running along a beautiful creek for 6-7 miles.
When the wind is howling I can duck down into the valley and into the woods and hide from harsh bite of the frigid winds. There are times when I am stripping layers and carrying more than I am wearing. Especially when the sun is beaming in between the trees. Then I'll need every layer as a I run across the meadow at the top of the hill on the way back to my house.
Running out on the trails is one of my favorite training sessions too because of the variety that it provides. I've lived here in Philadelphia and have been running the trails for nearly 3 years, and I'm still finding new trails. Taking a different turn out there can bring you to a new view or a completely different type of habitat.
It also helps me escape from the city. You would never know that you are in the 5th most populous city in the US when you are looking at the waterfall rolling into devils pool on a crisp early morning.
The trails also give my body some new adaptations as well. It keeps me off balance and strengthens my core and stabilizing muscles in my legs. A favorite workout I have been doing lately is a long run pushing the hills on the trails. This can really tear you apart back there, because there are some good hills.
So the next time the wind is howling, don't let it chase you inside. Go to your local trail system and go exploring. You just might find your new favorite place.
Train smart, train hard, and have fun!
Greg
