Running out in the cold

melkithall

So, I stepped outside this morning to run, and wanted to go back inside and curl up under a blanket. Brrrrr. Of course I didn't, but I did shorten my run considerably. How do you manage the cold weather when running? How cold it too cold to run in? And, sometimes the only time I have to run I have to take my two youngest with me. We used to just bundle up and I'd push them in the stroller. Eventually, I won't be able to do that, when the snow is thick on the ground. I want to keep running, but this weather is throwing up so many blocks!! Help!

pdchemist15

Just remember after 5 minutes of running you will warm up. Of course you have to be properly dressed..

Tips for cold weather running...Thin layers are good..NO COTTON....A nice cold weather running jacket might be needed for very cold. Gloves/mittens are a must have as are ear protection. Head bands that cover ears are popular with the women in my run group. My feet and hands get very cold easily. I use a pair of gloves that convert to mittens and they come with a flashing LED (hint). Absolutely love them. I don't know about mentioning name of products here, so I'll err on the safe side. Mittens will keep your hands warmer. You can manage the cold except when the temperatures/windchill drops too low. Then you may have to treadmill..ugh! Below 30 F you may want to use runner tights also..Of course you may want to use them below 40 F..Depends on how sensitive you are to the cold.

For me the most important things to keep warm are ears, hands and feet. They say you lose a lot of heat through the top of your head so you may want a runners toboggan/cap.

The biggest worry would be the kids in a stroller. Just sitting in the stroller with the wind blowing against them would be much colder than you will be.

thirtyandthriving

Arg! I am running into this problem as well. I haven't had a problem until today due to the snow and ice in the ground.

Classalete

I wear running shorts, a cold gear underarmour mock top, and a t-shirt...Nothing really special. The important thing is that you stay in motion, you're body temperature will heat up quickly after you get moving.

If it's below freezing I wear running gloves, a beanie, and cold gear leggings.

maddymama

I'm in the same boat as you.... running in the cold with the kid (sometimes kidlets). I dress my two year old in many, many, many layers, and wrap her up in a blanket and go for a run. She is toasty warm and usually falls asleep mid-run. Me, I'm cold, but she's fine. I have her in a long sleeve shirt, sweater, jeans, socks, shoes, puffy coat, hat, mittens, scarf, and thick blanket in the jogging stroller.
I have a few layers on myself, but I think I need a better hat for running. I got really cold.

My tip- warm up in your house and then hit the streets running. Finish your run at your doorstep..... I wear a pair of pants, socks, shoes, jog bra, tech long sleeve shirt, running jacket, gloves, and a hat. I'm tempted to add a scarf for the first mile or two until I warm up a bit.

fionat29

Can I just ask? What happens once you get too hot?? Do you take it all off or do you keep running hot and sweaty?
I ask because I started running only this summer so I haven't a clue. It's bad enough when it got chilly enough to wear a jacket, I have to stop to tie it round my waist, but if I'm wearing scarf, gloves, hat and all the other stuff, what do you do with it all? Stuff it in non-existent pockets? Help!

maddymama

Can I just ask? What happens once you get too hot?? Do you take it all off or do you keep running hot and sweaty?
I ask because I started running only this summer so I haven't a clue. It's bad enough when it got chilly enough to wear a jacket, I have to stop to tie it round my waist, but if I'm wearing scarf, gloves, hat and all the other stuff, what do you do with it all? Stuff it in non-existent pockets? Help!

Once I get sweaty, I take a bit off and throw it in the back of the jogging stroller.... If I'm by myself, I put my gloves in my pocket, and unzip my jacket but still leave my jacket on. I rarely get much hotter than that... usully I'm still bundled up at the end of my run as I was at the beginning if it's cold enough out.

melkithall

Thanks for the tips. I'm not too worried for myself now. Just the kids. My husband is up and out by 3 in the morning, therefore he's in bed by 7 ish. So, to run by myself without the kids is not possible during the week, only on sat. I have a double stroller with my baby in his infant carrier, bundled with a blanket and under a car seat cover. Not worried about him. It's 2 yr old I worry about. Even with a coat, gloves, and hat, I worry he's too cold. ???????

maddymama

Could you wrap a blanket around your two year old, too? My two year old loves the blanket on top of all her other stuff. She usually has a stuffed animal or a babydoll in there with her, too, and end up falling asleep, so I assume she is comfortable. If she whines alot, I tend to cut the run shorter and get her home quicker.
Or keep the runs shorter on the coldest of days (25 minutes or so), to keep it short enough that they don't get toooooo cold.

jacksonpt

Dress in layers. Do a quick warm-up indoors if you need to, but once you get a good sweat going you'll have no problem staying warm (as long as you keep sweating).

NiciS72

Thanks for the tips. I'm not too worried for myself now. Just the kids. My husband is up and out by 3 in the morning, therefore he's in bed by 7 ish. So, to run by myself without the kids is not possible during the week, only on sat. I have a double stroller with my baby in his infant carrier, bundled with a blanket and under a car seat cover. Not worried about him. It's 2 yr old I worry about. Even with a coat, gloves, and hat, I worry he's too cold. ???????

I would try getting one of those thermal blankets that has the silver lining that reflects the heat back to the body. That should keep them toasty warm since they are not exercising. You could also try those hand/feet warmers they sell at the sporting stores. I'm not sure how long you are gone, but a hot bottle might keep them warm for awhile too.