Running in Cold Weather
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Hi there, I am recently new to this group and a couple of months on MFP. Am learning to run, using the Chi method, am up to 4 k right now with a few breaks yet, planning to get to 5 k with no breaks by end of month.
We live in Ontario, Canada, the winter weather gets very cold, below -15 at times. This will be my first winter running, I am hoping to do some outside on decent days, can go to a gym and do treadmill otherwise, but don't prefer it.
Question, how cold of weather would you and have you run in and found it ok? And what kind of footwear / shoes do you use for winter outside running?
thanks,
Cathy1 -
I like in the UK so it's already pretty cold (and at times, wet!) but because I work up quite a sweat when I run it get warmed up anyway. I wear capri length jogging bottoms, a t-shirt and a 3/4 length sleeve jumper and running shoes (got some proper ones to prevent injury). I haven't felt too cold in this ensemble yet but as the winter draws in I may have to layer up a bit more.0
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@CATHYLEA: I use yaktrax pro when it's really icey or on packed snow. I can run just fine on them.0
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I will look into the Yaktrack Pro treads too but am thinking but we will be joining a gym for the winter months to keep up our running program etc. My partner has asthma and he finds the cold weather makes his breathing very difficult when running, so outside isn't ideal for him.0
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I'm glad you guys have been posting this - I've been trying to figure out what I will need going forward. Right now I'm still in shorts and a t-shirt, but I run at night (tripping over things occasionally cause I have no light) and it's getting chilly. I know it's time for new equipment, but cash is tight so I want to buy only what I absolutely need.0
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These mornings in New England have been about 45-50 degrees on average. It's perfect!!! I learned to wear a light jacket over a t-shirt, so I can take it off when I've warmed up and tie it around my waist, then put it back on when I'm doing a cooldown walk.0
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i really like wool socks to work out in, year round. they don't ever feel 'wet' so there is no rubbing or your feet getting cold.What kind of socks do you recommend? I have a feeling those cotton socks are not a great idea in chilly temps.0
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I ran yesterday and my eyes were tearing up like crazy...does anyone use any sort of goggles? It was such a distraction to keep wiping my eyes!0
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I'm finding that I love running in the colder weather. High 30's in the mornings and a long pair of running pants, double layer of running top and a zip up sweatshirt is great. I can undo the sweatshirt as needed. I also wear gloves which come off 1/2 way through. I did find that my ears got cold, and didn't really warm up, so I wear warm 'headband' around my cap that covers my ears. That mix is sheer perfection for me.
Actually looking forward to colder weather!0 -
This morning 35 deg. (F) I wore shorts, cold gear long sleeve shirt,and t-shirt. Next time I will bring along some gloves and a hat just until I finish my warm up. Everyone's different.0
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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?
I have the same problem, and I already DO run in the morning! It's still light out now, but I know by the end of the month it will be pitch dark when I wake up, and I don't get home until after 6 pm, when, of course, it is already dark.
I'm not sure what to do either. I guess I'll have to modify my route so I stick to well-lit streets where it's safer, but I really don't like running on high-traffic roads and breathing in all that exhaust! Guess there aren't many other options though.
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For running in the dark you can always get an led head lamp. Like the ones used sometimes by mechanics. Pretty powerful. Also some reflective gear so others can see you.0
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Some good suggestions here! Looks like winter is arriving right on time here in the south. Yesterday was beautiful and 70°, tomorrow it will be 40° with 30 mph winds. Don't know if I'll get my W5D2 run in today with the storm passing through. I do my day 3 run every Saturday morning and the forecast is 25° that morning with 20 mph winds. That's not typical Atlanta weather!0
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I feel like its just too cold to run outdoors. I live in Canada and right now it is -25c or -13F. I detest treadmill running, so right now I'm focusing on strength training.
Is there a point for any of you when it's just too cold?0 -
I havent hit to cold yet!! mind you its only january 1st im sure it will get colder lol
and I will bundle up more lol0 -
Is there a point for any of you when it's just too cold?
I moved from the northern US down here to the south 13 years ago so I no longer tolerate the cold too well. Probably anything below 20°F will keep me inside. Once I feel my nose hairs freeze, that's it!0 -
I also had to break down and buy a gym membership. I have asthma, so it's too dangerous to try and run when it's this cold (I also live in Canada, so...). I love the idea of putting the grips over your runners though, I use them even on my hiking boots when it gets really icy and I bought them at the dollar store!0
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I will look into the Yaktrack Pro treads too but am thinking but we will be joining a gym for the winter months to keep up our running program etc. My partner has asthma and he finds the cold weather makes his breathing very difficult when running, so outside isn't ideal for him.
if he gets a face mask it might help. i have an issue walking outside when it gets super cold so i know how it is with the asthma0 -
I feel like its just too cold to run outdoors. I live in Canada and right now it is -25c or -13F. I detest treadmill running, so right now I'm focusing on strength training.
Is there a point for any of you when it's just too cold?
Yup, just hit that point today. Did 6.3 km at -17C (feels like -23C)... in Montreal visiting family. By the end of my run, my fingers were stiff and super painful, even though I was wearing two pairs of gloves, and my iPod refused to work. If my iPod gives up, so do I!0 -
The temperature at which time I decide to hit the treadmill continues to increase as I get older. Anything less than 20F and I am indoors. The coldest temperature I ever ran is was -9F. I had to run 1 mile loops near my house to stop for water breaks as my water bottle froze very quickly when I tried to run with it.0
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When it gets cold, I usually run on my treadmill. I have a high tolerance for boredom, I guess.
I also listen to books or watch a video, so that helps.
There is a race series in Michigan that I did in 2009/2010. First Saturday of each month Dec-Mar. February was 10F with blizzard conditions. There are series points just for finishing. I wore a balaclava, sunglasses, tech shirt, jacket, gloves, tights, shorts, short Wright socks, and light running shoes. We didn't have much ice that day but what we had was rough and sticky.
I've used the Yaktrax for outside work in snow and ice. They worked very well in -30F. I wasn't running in them, so I can't comment there.0 -
For keeping your head warm, I love these: http://www.bondiband.com. I found them wandering around at an expo. They even have the beanie caps for your poneytail to pull through. They have a great & fun selection as well as the neck gators too. I have tons of them and they are wicking material and can be thrown into the washer.0
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I went walking last night - and it was 11degrees outside. I about died. My biggest issue was my thighs being so cold they were numb.
These are great ideas and solutions that I can use.
Thanks for the great info.0 -
I did a 10k on 1/1 & it was -9F out. It was my first sub-zero run & I ended up dressing just right for it! Here's what I wore:
- base layer bottoms (kinda like thermals but made for winter sports - only $9 at Big Lots!)
- wool hiking socks (Target)
- compression running pants (Old Navy)
- sports bra & compression tank (Old Navy)
- mock turtleneck (UnderArmour)
- compression running jacket (Old Navy)
- a nice warm pullover hoodie (race swag)
- the awesome sock monkey hat in my profile pic (I made it!)
- thick wool mittens, which were actually too hot once I got going (made these too)
I also slipped a couple of those hand warmer packets into my shoes right on top of my toes. At first I didn't think they were really doing anything, then one shifted uncomfortably so I stopped at a water stop & tossed it in the trash. By the end of the race I had one cold foot & one warm one, so there ya go.
Overall it was enough to keep me from being too cold at race start, but not so much I was overheated while running.0 -
Ditto on Bondiband! I have a few of their headbands. My favorite one says "I RUN SO I CAN DRINK"For keeping your head warm, I love these: http://www.bondiband.com. I found them wandering around at an expo. They even have the beanie caps for your poneytail to pull through. They have a great & fun selection as well as the neck gators too. I have tons of them and they are wicking material and can be thrown into the washer.0 -
I live in the country, so maybe this wouldn't work for you, but I have a yard light, so I just run around my circle drive. Tried the first day taking the dog on the gravel with me, BAD idea! Kind of like going to a haunted house, every noise I heard, I wondered what it was, and I never knew what was going to jump out at me! Maybe you could put rope lights outside around your house and run laps? Might work unless you have a lot of snow! Good luck!0
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funny reading all this stuff about running in the cold. even on the coldest days here i would still run in shorts and a t-shirt. maybe at most a long sleeved t-shirt.
thats because the coldest it ever gets here overnight is 1 or 2 degrees celcius. so at the times i run (in the evenings) its still going to be around 9 or 10. none of this -1393431 degrees stuff here.
what about running in extreme heat. during the summer our MINIMUMS can be as high as 30 degrees celcius. now let me tell you, that is a killer.0 -
i have to deal with trying to run from -20F up to 100+F0
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I am into week 3 of C to 5k. I have been doing it on the treadmill since it is winter in Alaska and I do not want to kill myself on the ice. I have a free APP i use at the gym. It let me know when to run or walk. I play music and let the app run in background of my phone.0
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Wow, that Alaska winter is not one I'd want to run in. LOL. Great job at getting to week 3!0
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