Surviving the Blizzard of 2026
Download MP3Welcome to Spoken and Sole, a community built around two things that keep us moving, cycling and running. Whether you're chasing miles, hitting new routes, or just out there for the love of it, you have found your crew. We're here to share stories, tips, and anything that keeps us motivated. So lace up, clip in, and let's get moving with your hosts.
Terrance:Welcome to the Spoke and Sole podcast, home of the essential athlete. I'm Terrance, and I'll be your group leader for today's session. Before we start the clock on today's miles, hit that subscribe, follow, like button. It keeps you in the draft for every road review and athlete spotlight we have lined up. Now, let's roll.
Terrance:This is officially our first episode. We've released a trailer and a bonus, but now we're getting into the nitty gritty. So today we're gonna talk about what's been happening in New England over the past month or so. Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably noticed that conditions outside are better suited for the Winter Olympics rather than running or cycling. Let's be real for a second.
Terrance:The past few years have spoiled us. I honestly forgot what it used to be like back when you had to debate if the juice was worth the squeeze before you even opened the garage door. March is literally a day away. In most parts of the country, people are talking about spring training. But here in New England, we just broke the 1978 record, 38 inches of snow in one storm.
Terrance:Many of you listening weren't even born when the '78 Blizzard set the bar. Now you're living a new record. In my neighborhood, the rows are barely two lanes and you can forget about seeing around the corner over those six foot snowbanks. If you're feeling the exhaustion from the snow shovel, you aren't alone. This has been the hardest week of the year.
Terrance:But today, we're talking about the tactical reality of surviving this specific transition. That transition that you only get in New England. Let's first address the freeze thaw nightmare. Around two in the afternoon, the sun's gonna come up and it's gonna start to melt that snow. That melting snow is gonna cause puddling.
Terrance:But then overnight, when the temperatures drop, but then overnight, those temperatures drop. And if you're an early riser like me, you'll notice that the road has turned into a skating rink. Yes, that invisible nemesis, black ice. Speaking from experience, if you don't want a runner down situation, you need to adjust. So here's some tips.
Terrance:First, slow down. Reducing your pace will not only help you spot possible spill spots, but it will also help increase your reaction time. Second, adjust your stride. Short choppy steps help keep your feet directly under your center of gravity which will help with stability. And lastly, these two tips I'm gonna lump together.
Terrance:When running, keep your arms slightly wider than normal to help with balance and try to adjust your feet landing to land flat as opposed to landing on your heels or your toes to maximize surface content. Now, some things to consider from a gear perspective. Before you head out, depending on the temperature, you may wanna consider tossing your socks and your base layer in the dryer for about five minutes. It's gonna give you a little bit of warmth out there in that cold before your body has a chance to actually warm up. Also, if you find that you're sliding out there, it's time to break out the Yaktrax.
Terrance:For those who don't know, you need to find out. Yaktrax are designed for traction. They slip right over your running shoes. They specifically make versions for running. Now, I'm not sponsored by Yaktrax, but I have years of experience running with them.
Terrance:And in conditions like this, I wouldn't leave the house without them. Let's talk about those brave individuals who choose to cycle when the weather is like it is outside. If you are outdoors riding right now, I gotta say, you're a little nuts. Earlier this week, on two different occasions, I saw a person walking their bike through an intersection in the snow. Now, yes, they were walking their bike through the intersection, but you're not gonna be out there with your bike if you're not riding it.
Terrance:Crazy. They did have proper gear on, but with these conditions, you're just not gonna find me out there. It's an entirely different game battling the ice, slush, and the plow drivers who seem to wanna mow you down every opportunity they get. But seriously, if you are riding in these conditions, the following. Lube up.
Terrance:Make sure you either use wet specific lube or wax on your chain and related components. Just be sure to give your bike a proper cleaning after each ride. Spray on. Apply anti corrosion sprays or wax to your frame to protect it. Doing so can prevent rust on metallic surfaces, drive out moisture and provide an easy layer for your bike.
Terrance:A couple of things to consider when we're talking about the gear when you're riding in conditions like we have over these last few weeks. You wanna consider switching to a heavy wet lube right now. It stays on when the salt and all that other junk out there tries to wash it off. And since your outdoor hose is probably frozen solid, you may wanna consider keeping a two gallon pump sprayer bottle in your mudroom or somewhere else in your house with lukewarm water in it. This way when you get home, you can use it to blast that salt off the drivetrain before it gets a chance to pit the metal.
Terrance:Also, New England is known for cold dampness out there at this time of year. If your toes are going numb, try wrapping aluminum foil over your socks. It reflects body heat and it blocks that biting wind better than most high end covers. It's the difference between finishing and saying I'm done. Now, while out there on the roads, whether you're running or cycling, remember that currently these snowbanks are extremely high and the roads are narrow and sometimes you know how drivers can be.
Terrance:I'm not saying all, but some of them. To some of them, often you're quite invisible. So it's important to remember to be safe. And a big part of that is planning. Here's some tips when it comes to making sure that your ride or run is safe.
Terrance:First, make sure you're draped in the appropriate gear whether you're running or cycling. This goes without saying, but you gotta make sure that depending on the temperature, you're doing your best to make sure that, you know, you stay dry, whether that's with a layer for the wind, whether that's moisture wicking, you know, all those things you wanna make sure you have on when you're out there doing whatever it is that you're doing. Also, try to pick routes that you know that are cleared more frequently and have wider shoulders. It's also a good idea to assume that roads will be slippery. Again, as part of the planning, if you know there are particular places where the roads are gonna be a bit more cleared, you wanna take advantage of that.
Terrance:And also, assume that the roads are slippery, so whether you're running or riding, your pace can adapt to what's necessary to try to keep you upright. And lastly, you may wanna consider keeping your session short. It's great that you get an opportunity to get out there. I know, sometimes out there, it's a war of attrition and you wanna win the battle when it comes to the weather. But keep in mind, conditions can cause events that you cannot predict.
Terrance:So the less time you're out there, the less of a chance that you have of something going wrong. These are some quick survival tips to keep you safe while you're actually out there in these type of conditions. Just some things I wanted to share with you so you can continue to do what it is that you actually do out there. Before I close, I wanna mention just a few things. We're still getting warmed up when it comes to this podcast.
Terrance:We have yet to actually introduce the video piece of it, and that's coming. And, also, we got some other ride leaders who will eventually be on the show. We just gotta get them warmed up and get them on here. So all that stuff is coming. But I wanna close with this.
Terrance:Why do we do it? Why do we go out when the roads are narrow and the air hurts your face? Because this is where the essential athlete is made. Anyone can train when it's 65 and sunny. But going out when the conditions are fighting you, that builds a catalyst mind that you can't get in the gym.
Terrance:It teaches you that you can be uncomfortable and still perform. You can be cold and still execute. That mental toughness, it's a tool. You put it in your pocket and you carry it with you to the job site, to the office, and to the starting line in the spring. When everyone else is melting down because things get hard, you won't blink.
Terrance:You'll adjust your stride and keep moving. As I said before, March is just a day away. The light is staying longer, but the weather still a little mean. Stay disciplined out there. If you found value in this session, do your group leader a favor.
Terrance:Subscribe to the channel. We're on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram. We're also on Facebook. When we get a chance, we'll be posting some clips and some hacks that may not make it on the audio show.
Terrance:But we're working on adding, like I said, the video in the near future. Also, again, Spoke and Sole is home of the essential athlete. If you get a chance, go check out some of the stuff that we have on there at shopessentialathlete.com. Again, you can listen at listen.spokensoul.com. We're also on Facebook, all these socials and things like that.
Terrance:So this has been winter preparation briefing briefing. Keep the wheels turning and your feet moving. We'll see you on the road.
