Embracing the Winter
Jeff Garmire
In Montana, winter is long. It begins with a late September snowstorm and quickly progresses to a state blanketed with snow. Even when most areas enjoy spring, winter sticks around in Montana. Going outside takes extra effort, planning, and a tougher mindset than in the less harsh seasons. I have to start each day outside with a reminder to myself that every moment I spend subjected to the elements, will be a moment of growing tougher. But it is not always so easy. So, I have developed a few tips and tricks to embrace the winter and still get outside.
1. Coffee - One day I was dreading driving up the canyon and beginning a long climb to the top of Garnet Mountain. For training purposes, I really needed to get out and go. But mentally I did not want to leave the comfort of the house, and the satisfaction of sipping a warm cup of coffee. So, I combined the two. I brought my insulated mug with me and sipped it for the first two miles. It wasn’t a quick start to the effort, but it was an enjoyable start. When the coffee was finished I simply stowed it in the back of my running vest and ran on, feeling much better after easing into the run.
2. Adjust expectations: Despite being in better shape from most of the summer, I cannot even come close to some of the splits I was hitting on clear trails and under blue skies. At first, it was disappointing, but now I try to avoid diving into the details of each activity. Instead, I focus on the vertical gain of each run, and the time per week I am able to exercise. Having metrics that encompass a whole week and celebrate totals rather than splits have helped me focus on the successes rather than the drawbacks of training in the winter. After all, nothing in the immediate future depends on the time I can run an isolated mile, so any effort analyzing that is wasted.
3. Flexibility: I go into most training activities with an idea of how far I want to go, how long, or how high. But, with the continually changing winter conditions and the lack of trail reports, I have accepted that there are times when it is best to turn around. In the microclimates of Big Sky Country, having an open mind and awareness to be able to make decisions on the fly has made reluctance to hit bad weather an obstacle easily overcome. I now enter each stint in the backcountry with a goal but have no trepidations about cutting it short.
4. Find your “Just Enough”: In my trail running vest I pack just enough to make it back to the car in even the worst weather. I typically run hotter than most people, but even so, I bring a light insulated jacket and a thin waterproof jacket. Referring back to tip number 2, carrying a bit more weight in order to have the confidence to enter the backcountry makes it a much more comfortable experience. Along with carrying these extra items, allowing myself to use them is important. I hate stopping in the middle of a downhill section as much as anyone, but when my hands are so cold that I want to throw up, I have learned to stop and pull out my gloves. It not only helps my fingers stay warm enough to pull my keys out back at the car, but it also leads to more enjoyment. Over time, with having all these extra items, I have learned the best spot for each item. I keep the items I often use accessible and the emergency items buried much deeper.
5. Go with people: If you have already adjusted your expectations, are flexible, and have enough gear packed, adding in a partner can be a fun way to get out in the winter. A partner not only is a safer option but also provides a little bit of pressure to get out in the backcountry. Lately, I have added partners to longer, sustained efforts, and have enjoyed the conversation. On these efforts, no records are broken, but vertical gain and mileage add up while being free to flexibly explore new areas with someone else.
