Running in Cold Weather

CaptainGordo

It's that time of year.

Tips? Questions? Links to info?

sherrirb

On another C25K website forum that I belong to, this link was a well used and highly suggested site to help you figure out how you should be dressing for runs based on the weather and your body.

http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/whattowear/0,7152,s6-240-325-330-0-0-0-0,00.html

I'm in Wisconsin. If I continue to run outside, I may consider buying some of these for when the snow starts coming down: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Surefoot-Everyday-Ice-Aid/16637220?findingMethod=rr

sgoldman328

That's great, thanks for sharing!

whiskey9890

gloves. when it starts to get cold a pair of running gloves are a godsend,

stubbysticks

I knit myself a neat ninja ski mask for my Thanksgiving Day 10k & it turned out to be warm enough that I didn't need it. But I've got it if I feel like getting out there when it DOES get really cold, & I knit matching mittens too (profile pic :bigsmile: ).

Layers are the key, on the day of my race I wore sports bra, long-sleeved technical shirt, & a wicking long-sleeved running hoodie that had hand warmers. Compression workout pants, regular socks & my running shoes. Temp was probably around 40 degrees F, so it wasn't super cold.

If it had been below 30 I would have worn my Under Armour mock as the bottom layer & worn my ski mask around my neck in case I needed it, plus mittens.

20 deg or less I would have worn an extra layer on both the bottom & the top.

fitplease

What kind of socks do you recommend? I have a feeling those cotton socks are not a great idea in chilly temps.

beautifulbeast11

Clothes aren't an issue for me... I layer and have a lot of under armor. My question is shoes.... I don't want to fall in slick, snowy conditions.

debstanley4

bump

stubbysticks

My feet tend to get hot when I run & I haven't run in cold enough weather to need special socks. I just wear regular sport socks, though I do kind of like the ones that have a little compression around the middle of the foot & a thicker sole for extra cushion.

@Cmarieleep, look up Yak Trax, they're available at Sports Authority or online. They're these contraptions you strap over your shoes that provide traction, & are ideal for ice & snow. It's the equivalent of putting chains on your tires.

Primalgal

My feet never get cold either. I just wear the same old short socks I wore all summer. The coldest I've run in so far is 19F. I have cuddleduds silky long underwear top(turtleneck) & bottom, a Mizuno thermal top and Mizuno thermal tights plus an Under Armour hooded sweatshirt that is Coldgear Storm....it repels moisture instead of sucking it up like a normal cotton sweatshirt would. I wear a Polartec turtlefur gaiter around my neck, a polartec hat with ear flaps & of course, gloves. I am perfectly warm(actually a little too warm) even when its in the teens. Tomorrow it will be in the 30's, so I'll wear all the above except the long underwear! Will probably ditch the turtlefur gaiter too.

The biggies for me are keeping my ears and hands warm. I'm only out for 30-45 minutes, so I suppose it would be different for long distances?

Good luck!

Lacey99

Face cover and gloves:)
I love running in the cold! The cold air numbs my lungs and makes everything effortless!

chattywalnut

I'm in Wisconsin too and I highly suggest getting some yaktrax pro for your shoes. Granted they make them a little heavier but definitely help to not slip on the snow and ice. I just got some this weekend and I think they work great!


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cantobean

Underarmour. Gloves. Hat. Layers on top.

Also, I've found I need to apply moisturizer to my face after a really cold and windy run, or my skin will chap.

BRFMcKay

I definitely need to invest in a face cover. My face gets so darn cold, I can barely get myself outside!
Any suggestions? Can I go to a sporting goods store (it blanked out the one store's name I put here!) and get one there?

cmoorefully

I have just started recently too. I was wondering if a face mask, at least over my nose, will help with my nose running like crazy. I'm finding it terribly annoying.

coatsie79

Lots of vaseline/lip balm on my lips to stop them getting chapped.

Runny nose....I just used my sleeve or gloves...haha Everything gets chucked in the washing machine after a run anyway so what the hell.

fitplease

Runny nose....I just used my sleeve or gloves...haha Everything gets chucked in the washing machine after a run anyway so what the hell.

I've been known to use my gloves. I have extra pairs, so it's easy to toss one pair in the wash.

erisfreenici

For the person who asked about socks, I have a pair of SmartWool socks that are nice and toasty warm.

stubbysticks

I just bought some YakTrax the other day...LOVE. THEM. Can't wait to get more snow. Seriously.

Dorianlg

Admittedly, I bike in the winter more than jogging, but I love the Patagonia balaclava. It breathes, it's light, it comes in two sizes, and you can very easily adjust it to cover your mouth and nose or not, depending on how cold it is. Smartwool running socks are great. They're not the cheapest but they are worth every penny. Chemical warming packs also actually work, to put in your shoes or the packs you put in your pockets but could carry in your hands, if you're determined to go running when it's 0.

mom2tek

My biggest thing is running in the dark. I get home from work and it's dark out and I don't like to go out then. I can layer for cold and not a problem. I want to try this program but the lack of light is an issue for me. Any suggestions? What is everyone else doing?

ppilkington

I don't have this problem yet (I'm in Australia and it's summer) but I'm wondering too how well I'll go with c25k and running once the days are shorter? I guess the only solution will be to do it in the morning before work but I'm really not a morning person!

chaniray

i wear gloves, a long sleeve shirt, a hoodie and a neckie. i find that my nasal passages start to burn from breathing in the cold air so i just pull the neckie up and breathe my own warm air and then bring it down.

mom2tek

I always seem to get head congestion or colds after running outside when it's cold. I wear a hat and neck gator also. I've been trying to run more outside but feel rotten starting about a hour later when my head begins to fill up.

secretlobster

Leggings, and I still wear a T shirt usually

It's 96 degrees right now and I am DYING for 40 degree weather again!!

GypsyWillow22

A gym membership. lol

sarahspears11

When you run in the cold weather, you want to layer at first, the more you warm up and start sweating is when you want to lose a little layer at a time! Sweating with lots of layers on can give you a cold!! Thats what we did in soccer practice!

perryspearman

I had the same concern about cold weather running today here in New Hampshire. Just joined this group tonight. The shared info is a great resource for me. Thanks everyone!


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tacticalhippie

I will try to not complain about winters in NC anymore. lol

cutiepieinchi

Thanks for the Yaktrax tip everyone! I thought I was ging to have to give up running out side when winter starts Ordering me a pair now.

CATHYGAYM

Do any of you who run outdoors in winter buy / wear a special shoe for ice and better traction, if so what have you bought? I know we need to be careful in winter as sometimes ice is hiding under a skiff of snow etc. I may look for something that is a cross between a running shoe and a hiker for this reason.