So I live in Boston, where the snow is wicked crazy right now. I mean we have gotten 75 inches of snow in 30 days… less than 30 days even! Let’s face it, there is more on the way.
Despite some closures and delays, the world doesn’t just stop because of large piles of snow blocking the way. Work and school still happens, and as a result, I still have to get to BU.
After one of the large storms, I recall vividly waiting for my beloved 57 bus. It stops at the end of my street and goes directly to BU on it’s way to Kenmore. I waited for ~20 minutes, and then a full bus crests around the bend! Such joy emanates from my face along with the 4 others at the stop– but alas that joy is soon replaced with sheer agony as the bus, full like sardines, cruises right by without stopping. Next thing I know, there are 10+ people at my stop and 2 other full busses have passed. I’ve been waiting for a bus for an hour.. once one stops it becomes a battle to get a spot on the bus before the driver decides it is too full and turns us back into the cold. Soon the bus environment turns hostile, lawless even! People shoving and shouting to get a spot on a bus, no lines, no order! Luckily my childhood growing up in New Jersey has prepared me for such an “end of the world” scenario but nonetheless, it is far from ideal.
As much as I love the MBTA, during the winter is it a nightmare. Trains & busses become horrifically unreliable. Many people walk instead. I would walk, I live approximately 3 miles door to door from my office. However, I am not a walker by nature– I am a runner! Thus, I have begun to perfect the ‘run commute’.
How can I run commute? Well first, you should think about your work week and plan ahead. For me, as a student with an office and computer at work, I don’t really need to carry much to the office so a run commute becomes very easy. In the past, I have left a spare change of clothes in my office so I can change when I get in. It is also a good idea to leave a real coat or something warm in your office as well, as you don’t typically run with a large, heavy coat (or maybe you do, I don’t judge!)
So planning ahead is essential. Do you need to carry textbooks, binders, large files, computers, animals, vegetables, heavy equipment? If yes, then maybe that is not the best day to run commute!
How can I plan my run? This is important. Just like going for recreational runs, we know that not all roads are safe to run on. A run commute should be no different. In fact, I would take extra care in picking a runner-safe route, because morning commuting drivers may not be the most forgiving. I do my run commute in Boston approaching Kenmore Square. Running on Brighton Ave and Comm Ave is an adventure. Drivers will hate you for crossing when they want to turn, bikers will destroy you for entering their lane (and typically rightly so), and pedestrians will not share the sidewalk, especially during snowy conditions and will scoff angrily in Bostonian fashion when you politely say “excuse me!” to get around them. Yes– the run commute is not really any friendlier than the public transit or drive, but at least you are running.
What should I wear/bring? Well. Like always, clothes. Dress for the weather and be prepared in case you have to stop for some reason. My run commute is only 3 miles each direction so I don’t need to bring water or anything, which is great. Boston lately has been particularly nasty– in fact, these were the conditions of my run this morning:
Not uncommon to also add snow to that as well. Thus, I wear running leggings, a long sleeve shirt, a thicker long sleeve top, a vest (essential!), gloves, and a buff. I also wear a runner pack instead of a large backpack, but obviously not all run commutes will need this. Some may require no pack and others may require a large and more stable bag for bigger things (like a laptop).
Nathan Intensity vest (for her), just remove the bladder and you have so much room for activities!
These are all the things I manage to fit in my pack. A rolled up shirt, rolled up jeans, keys, lotion & makeup, cell phone (not pictured), hand towel (not pictured), and occasionally an apple (not pictured). A change of underwear can also fit if you so choose to. I also bring with me credit cards, ID, money, and my CharlieCard (in case I get injured and need to take that 57 back home).
I wear a Columbia nano puff vest while running. It keeps me insanely (dare I say overly) warm during the run itself but I think it is also a great piece of transitional wear. After I change into my work/casual clothes, I do not have a coat lying around to stay warm and the vest works great. It transcends the run-work attire barrier! Basically, buying one would be a great investment.. har har har.
One last thing to think about is your shoes. I haven’t worn my road shoes on the road since snowfall. Sidewalks are slipperly little death traps and I have been wearing my trail shoes instead. They provide just a little bit of extra traction that helps keep me focused during these runs.
So final question. Why try a run commute? Sure, during these runs, you are probably not going to be training hard or breaking any personal speed records. Sure, you might have to wake up and go in the cold and do all this before you breakfast or coffee. Sure, you may get a bit sweaty and feel a bit uncomfortable at work. But there are so many benefits as well! First of all, who wants to wait in the cold for a bus, then wait on the bus for 3x the typical commute during this shitty weather? It typically takes me an average of 20 minutes to ride the bus from my street to work, and it takes me 25-28 minutes running time to make the same commute. Not only have I recently been making better time, but I also get some miles in. Double win if you ask me. Plus, doing the morning run thing means 1. I feel awake and refreshed when I get to work instead of groggy and still quite tired. and 2. I have been getting some fasted-cardio miles in, which I would never just wake up and do unless I had to (such as for a commute). and 3. Your coworkers/friends/boss/advisor/random people you pass/everyone on the T will think you are hopelessly BADASS for saying “hey, screw you!” to the cold Boston winter. And you should also think that you are a badass, because you are.
Get bored running the same route every morning? I know I am starting to… to help combat that I have been listening to podcasts but not with both earbuds in at the same time. I stress that I keep one ear out because the run commute can be dangerous with lots of other cars/bikes/busses/train/angry pedestrians hanging about. You should divide your focus between the physical task at hand and the podcast that you are listening to!
Another tactic that I find fun is counting the amount of 57s that I pass on my way in. So far the record is 3 packed 57 busses, where I would otherwise be stuck on if I weren’t inclined to run to work! That not only is a nice way to decide how many beers to drink that night but it’s also a great reminder of why you are doing the run commute!
But Tess, don’t you look tired and ugly when you get to work after the run commute?? Hmm… I sometimes think so but I don’t sprint, I take it slow (so I don’t sweat too too much) and I clean up once I get in. So you tell me–how do I look?
The answer is HAPPY.
48 peaks 