If you are addicted to running or jogging the winter season presents you with several challenges. Years back I would run each night or morning after work. One night I set out on my short 3 mile route and as I was rounding the first corner I my feet hit black ice. I went down and out. I found myself awakening to the sound of one our radios and a brother officer from our force peering down at me. I was transported to the hospital with a concussion. I was lucky that I was not struck by vehicle as I was lying in the street unprotected for what we estimated was about 10 minutes. I still love my roadwork but when winter arrives I do it inside during periods of bad weather.

I tried using a treadmill to do my daily workouts but it was not long before my knees began to complain loudly. My exercise physiologist friend told me that because the belts on a treadmill slip, your knee can be injured. She suggested I try using an elliptical trainer> instead. I visited our local Y and found that there were actually more elliptical trainers than treadmills. I also quickly noticed there were more people using the ellipticals as well.

After being checked out on the different trainers I took one for a fairly intense ride. It took a while to gain the muscle memory to efficiently use the trainer. The use of moving handle bars was new to me but shortly I got the rhythm down. After about 20 minutes I had a burn in muscles that I do not use when I am running. I was told that using an elliptical trainer was like running on air and to some degree I would have to agree. It was clear that using an elliptical was a lot easier on my ankles and knees. Over time the lack of impact to my joints was appreciated with less joint pain when getting up in the morning.

I was worried that I would not be training the muscles that I would use when I got back to my normal outdoor training routine. After about two weeks of foul weather and using an elliptical trainer I had a chance to take a run during our January thaw. I was surprised that my ability to make the 5 K run was actually increased. All of which has convinced me that I can stay in shape all winter long without taking the risk of outdoor training during the winter months.