Running and exposure to cold??

Wear a hat and gloves and you will be absolutely fine.

This site will help you determine appropriate clothing for the conditions. Good luck!

http://www.runnersworld.com/what-to-wear

Do you usually run indoors on a treadmill? Have you done any outside running in the cold? I don't have experience with temps that low, but would say in addition to a hat and gloves, maybe a mask or balaclava to keep your face warm, which you could always pull down if you are too warm. Wicking layers with zippers so you can vent as you warm up. Wool socks are nice for keeping your feet toasty.

Good luck!

Question for all of the runners....what do you know about running and exposure to cold? My husband and I are registered for a 5K tomorrow and are rethinking the race. But if it's safe enough, we'll do it. Thoughts??

Temps at race time will be 4 with a wind chill of -10.

35° TO 45°F AND CLEAR- Wear tights or thin running pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and a vest. You may also need gloves when the temp gets near 35°F.
35° TO 45°F AND RAINY- Slim-fitting tights fare better in rain since they won’t get as droopy. A wool base layer will keep you warmer than a synthetic top since it retains warmth when wet. Wear a waterproof outer layer.
10° TO 35°F AND CLEAR- Wear technical underwear under your tights or pants and a long-sleeve shirt under an insulated jacket or vest. Wear gloves or mittens and a thin beanie.
10° TO 35°F AND SLEET- Wear tights, a water-resistant jacket, and a cap. Add water-resistant mittens to keep your hands from getting damp and cold.
–10°F AND CLEAR- Wear wool underwear and thick socks, tights, and running pants. To keep your core warm, go with a long-sleeve base layer under an insulated vest and windproof jacket. Wear a beanie and mittens.
–10°F AND SNOWY- Use the same cover-everything strategy as above for the bottom half. On top, wear an insulated vest and a water-resistant or waterproof hooded jacket over your base layer. Wear water-resistant hat and gloves.

From runner's world.

In addition to stuff mentioned above like layers hat and gloves I wear a Pearl Izumi bacalava. In addition to keeping the air off my face it helps warm up the air before it gets in my lungs.

I think with the distance only being 5K you'll be unformfortable at the begginning but once you get going you'll be fine. You may have some cold hands and toes when you get back in your car but nothing close to frostbite if everything is covered. Your freinds and family will think you're nuts, but that's about it.

I did a trail race two years ago that was 10 miles in similar conditions. They couldn't keep the water at the aid stations from freezing and anyone with facial hair had iceicles hanging from it. It was sureal and awesome. When you're running you forget how cold it is until you stop.

Question for all of the runners....what do you know about running and exposure to cold? My husband and I are registered for a 5K tomorrow and are rethinking the race. But if it's safe enough, we'll do it. Thoughts??

Temps at race time will be 4 with a wind chill of -10.

Is this celsius or farenheit?

If farenheit that is ridiculously cold. I was raised in the north and have never run a race at those temps. I have no idea what your goal time is, but I'd just focus on finishing or hope the race gets canceled.

If celsius, then not really much of an issue. Essentially 40 degrees. Light hat, gloves. Long sleeve dri fit and you would be fine.

Layers.

I did a series of 10ks last year in January, thankfully it was multiple laps. I bundled and overheated after the first "lap" I just started shedding cloths every lap and throwing in at my car. It worked out well actually.

Question for all of the runners....what do you know about running and exposure to cold? My husband and I are registered for a 5K tomorrow and are rethinking the race. But if it's safe enough, we'll do it. Thoughts??

Temps at race time will be 4 with a wind chill of -10.

Is this celsius or farenheit?

If farenheit that is ridiculously cold. I was raised in the north and have never run a race at those temps. I have no idea what your goal time is, but I'd just focus on finishing or hope the race gets canceled.

If celsius, then not really much of an issue. Essentially 40 degrees. Light hat, gloves. Long sleeve dri fit and you would be fine.

I think its a question of how you dress and what your comfort level is. It was -29 degrees Celcius here last night with the windchill and I still went out running. That being said I dressed for it and have the equipment which is the great equalizer. I run winter races frequently and can't say I've ever met one that left me truly cold. I've run Half Marathons in February when it was below -30 Celcius. I ran 5 K once in Edmonton on a dare... temperature was -55 with the Windchill (ok, that one actually left me cold and before anyone asks NO my lungs did not freeze)

What I would suggest to the OP is that she warms up for a few minutes before her run. Muscles don't like racing cold. There is a somewhat greater chance of injury in the cold. Also dress as though its 5-10 degrees warmer as multiple layers typically will trap heat and you can overheat. Releasing heat is just a zipper away.

I typically take a layered approach to winter running.

For the Torso;

Base Layer -> Technical fabric to wick moisture. Think Underarmor
Outer Layer -> Wind resistant shell
Mid layer -> for colder weather is a polar fleece jacket (provides an insulating quality)
For Exteme cold I will double up on the fleece or inner layers.

For the Legs;

For milder, I will run in technical fabric tights
For colder, I add a single layer wind resistant pants
For extreme, technical tights, and dual layer wind resistant pants.

For the Feet;

Socks -> Smart wool or dual layer socks (or in exteme both)
Shoes -> normal shoes but will add Yak Traks for the cold

For the Head;

Keep in mind that 50% of your body heat is lost thru your head. I typically will wear a hat, a scarf and occasionally ski goggles for extreme weather.

Dual layer or convertable mittens will help as well. I run hot and rarely have cold hands. Its not uncommon for me to take my gloves off after 10 minutes even when its minus 20. Just keep them handy for when your run is over.


Hope that helps. Have a great run!

For a 5K with that temp I'd wear:

- cold weather tights and another layer of pants - wind pants?
- long sleeved cold weather top
- a jacket
- a wicking hat
- neck warmer thing
- gloves

... but I also probably wouldn't run below "feels like" 0F. Bbbbrr.