Tips for cold weather running... ?

thenewmanda

I've asked this question and got some great answers from people on my FL I'm just wanting all the information I can get on running outside in cold weather. By cold I mean in the negatives with even colder wind chills. I'm so tired of the treadmill and I prefer to run outside. However, I don't want to be extremely uncomfortable....

nirvi9

I've been running in up to -26 C weather this winter. My best advice is to wear lots of layers! I found it took me some time to figure out the right combination between wearing too much and too little (for me this means more layers on the bottom than on the top). Also, try to run with your head/face covered since that's where a lot of heat escapes from. I've run with a scarf wrapped around my face and found it not only kept me warmer, but also helped me breathe more comfortably when I was running directly into the wind. It was a bit uncomfortable, but definitely worth it compared to running without. I find sunglasses also help with dealing with the wind, I hate having the wind blowing directly into my eyes when I'm running.

Otherwise, I'd say be prepared to go slow.. if you have the option and roads aren't too busy, I prefer to run on the roads in the winter. But if that's not possible, be prepared to run slower than usual on the sidewalks if they have snow or slush on them. Buying grips for your shoes can help with this, but taking it slow works just as well I find.

I know winter running kind of sucks no matter what, but I try to look at as making me a stronger runner in the long run.. if I can run in the freezing cold, then I have no excuse to run during the rest of the year

_Zardoz_

Head, hands and feet keep those warm and your made I've run everyday since October though snow, gales rain and floods . It's been around -6 plus a wind chill taking it to around - 15 C at points so not as cold as some places but cold enough. Layers as has been said a good hat and gloves. Also the right shoes. If there's snow I wear my trail shoes. A lot of its personal choice though I happily wear shorts down to around -2C as I find my legs stay warm any cooler than that I've got some pretty good running tights. A lot depends on how extreme your winter is as I've found out some people's idea of cold and mine are totally different.

BostonStrong617

Cover every part of your body you possibly can. I wear running leggings+ leg warmers, a regular work out top, a long sleeve running shirt (meant to keep heat in) over that, then another heavy winter style jacket designed for running over that. I am in Boston I think if my conversions are right the temperatures you're running in are the same as here. Most of the time unless it drops to below 0 F (or around -15 C) this is enough, I ran the other day when it was -10F or -25C and I wore an under armor t-shirt with my niki-dri fit long sleeve shirt (worth EVERY penny) over it, my asiscs running jacket over that. I wore an old non-bulky winter coat too but found I didn't need it. On my bottom half I had asics running leggings with a pair of yoga pants over those. I also wore a hat, scarf and good pair of gloves. Do not forget a hat and gloves or your hands and ears will be in excruciating pain & you risk frost bite. I also wore two pairs of socks.
Some of this is pricey so if you're just going to buy one thing I would go with the nike-dri fit shirt or something similar. I also love my asics running jacket but you could probably do just as well with a winter coat but the running jackets also come in super bright colors to be sure you'll be seen.

I also normally run on the side of the road (facing traffic) because those areas are more likely to be salted/free of snow. Although I live in the city off a veeerrrrryyyyy busy/main road with high pedestrian traffic so they are generally good about the sidewalks so if you have a road near you that is similar I recommend that. I've never had anything happen but I do sometimes worry about running on the road in slippery driving conditions. It helps that I run in the morning when there isn't too much traffic.

nathalier71

I'm in Canada and I've been running in the -30 C weather for a month now... yuck!
Layer, layer, layer! that's the most important!
I sometimes go with 4 layers of shirts/jackets and I finish with 2 layers - yes, even in -30. I wear a balaclava to protect my face from the wind- and so I can breathe. I wear longjohns and winter running pants - one pair of socks and my running shoes. Oh, I also wear a headband over my balaclava. I wear mittens but usually end up taking them off.

Go outside and enjoy some fresh air!

Chieflrg

Cold weather doesn't bother me. I usually wear shorts until it gets down in the teens, then a pair of leggings under shorts til single digits. Then I put a pair of wind breaker type on top.

I wear a good running jacket as my second layer until it below zero. In which I will throw on a medium layer in between.

10f and below I get away with only wearing a thin buff used like a balaclava and when the windchill is really bad I throw on a baseball hat & a heavy headband to protect my ears. I think most people would prefer a actual balaclava, but I tend to overheat with them.

I'm really odd as I can run with just crew style socks that offer no protection leaving my ankles exposed to the snow when I am trotting through thick(5"-10") snow. But it works for me, I've always been that way.

As someone else mentioned previously, when the roads are snowy I use my trail shoes also. They give me slightly more grip and because the snow seems to take away the feeling of the thicker sole that could be tuff on a bare road.

Drying out my shoes, I always stuff newspapers in them. The paper soaks up the moisture by the next day.

vanguardfitness

When I was in the academy during the winter period we ran in -15 degree weather sometimes. My job cutoff was at -20. We work a windbreaker suit with a skull cap and hoodie and sweat pants and sweat shirt underneath. We also wore balaclavas over our heads.

A sufficient warm up was done indoors though to get ourselves a little sweaty before we would run outside.

thenewmanda

Thank you all so much! Great advice..much appreciated!!!!

msflynnbly

Its just getting out there, once you get going its fine its just pushing yourself xx

shining_light

On top, I wear a toque, a shirt, sweater, light jacket, and a water-resistant windbreaker over top. On bottom, fleece-lined track pants and two pairs of socks. Light gloves.

I am also Canadian and I don't push myself as hard as I should with the cold. I really should, though. I'll try to get out there this week and do it.

thekyleo

I may have to use some of this advice, running on the treadmill ain't cutting it. I miss running outside