How I Got Over My Fear of Running on Ice

Like many of you, we had our first snow of the season last week. While it's mostly gone now, it is snowing like crazy in the mountains and I know winter is not far off.

I feel there are basically two types of winter runners - the runners who retreat indoors to the treadmill or cross training till the spring thaw, and the ones that embrace the snow and cold like school kids on a snow day. For a long time I refused to run outside if temps went below 32 degrees unless it was for a race, but since moving to Colorado I've learned to love running in the winter. There's something so calming about it and I now see it as a challenge!

The only aspect of winter running that I continued to struggle with was actually running on snow and ice.

Here in Colorado, snow tends to melt pretty quickly thanks to the strong sun, but as soon as the snow gets packed down it becomes pretty slick and sticks around. I'm a natural klutz so the snowy and icy patches have been my kryptonite.

Last winter I'd watch in awe as a group of much faster runners did laps around Wash Park practically gliding over the ice and snow as though they didn't even touch the ground. I on the other hand, would practically slow down to the pace of a turtle every time I'd get near the stuff.

The big secret to how I got over my fear of running on ice? I just kept running and didn't think much about it.

The good thing about the first snow is that it's a fresh start. So when I came up on this icy snow packed section of trail, and the others after it, I just went for it. And guess what? I didn't fall. It's a miracle!

All jokes aside, it wasn't that bad. A little snow is better than sheer ice, but loose snow can be a bit like running in sand. I just kept going without slowing and practically glided over it like those other runners. Or so I'd like to think!

I have been working on my balance and core a lot lately, and have added some agility work to my routine, which may help me stay light and balanced on the ice. I am still nervous about black ice and I won't be running in the dark on icy days, but I'm feeling much more confident in my ability to run on ice and packed snow.

Now, if you still just don't like running in the cold, here's my advice for that: bundle up and you'll be toasty in no time. Layers, warm mittens and a hat will do the trick. Be in the moment, enjoy the fresh air, and a hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate when you get home!

Do you love or hate winter running? * The Runner's World Run Streak starts Thursday! Are you taking part?

7 Tips for National Running Safety Month

With November as National Running Safety Month and the sun setting much earlier now, it's easy to equate safety with darkness. However, and unfortunately, it's much more than that.

You may recall back in August hearing the deeply sad news of three women who were killed while running. I know of at least one other incident around the same time period of a woman who was seriously injured when hit by a car while running. Not to mention the harassment and physical assaults women have regularly reported over the years. It's not just women either, men also are at risk out on the roads.

And let's not forget, dangerous situations aren't always caused by someone else. We are running, and with that can - unfortunately at times - come injuries or other situations that require us to seek help.

We run to find peace; to clear our heads; to connect with friends; to go after tough goals. I'm going to take a wild guess that based on the millions of people who go out for a run every day, the vast majority end without any incident. But, that doesn't mean we should take precautions to be safe.

Here are my top running safety tips that I hope all of you will adhere to.

Tell someone where you're going and how long you think you'll be gone. Then let them know you've finished. Matt and I don't always run together, but we always tell each other where we're going. Whether it's someone you live with or a friend several states away, it's good practice to have someone you trust keeping track of where you are.

Mix things up. By running the same route day-in and day-out, not only will you get crazy bored and probably start to loathe running, but you'll make it easy for others to know when and where you'll be. Mixing it up is good for your safety, your mind, and your body.

Run with someone. Power (and safety) in numbers. It's as simple as that. Bonus: it's a great way to catch up with friends and plot out your next running adventure!

Be aware. This can be hard to do listening to music or deep in thought, but it's important for us to be aware of our surroundings. We have a better chance of protecting ourselves if we are alert and not caught off guard.

Take your phone & list someone as ICE in your contacts. I know, a lot of people don't like running with their phones, but especially if you're running somewhere new, far from home, or will be out for hours, it's good protection in case you get in any trouble. Did you know ICE stands for "In Case of Emergency"? Having an ICE contact in your phone is helpful for first responders. Let's hope you never need it, but good just in case.

Wear a Road ID. This is even more important if you refuse to run with your phone. Road IDs are inexpensive and can save your life. There are several styles to choose from and mine is so lightweight I usually forget I'm wearing it. Go here to get one.

If you're running at dawn, dusk, or in the dark, wear lights & reflective gear! I would be rich if I got a dime each time we saw runners at dusk that were hardly visible. If you're at all questioning if you need reflective gear or a light(s), do yourself a big favor and wear them. It's incredibly difficult for drivers to see us during these times of day, and they're not often looking for us, so just don't risk it. A hand lamp not only makes you visible, but also helps you see the way and avoid cracks and holes that could derail your training.

You can find many more great tips here. Please, use your common sense and enjoy your run!

How else do you stay safe on the run?