Cold Weather Training

krisiepoo

I posted this elsewhere but wanted to see if anyone here had some advice for me, too.

I will be running a full marathon in June *gulp* which means training over the winter, a Minnesota winter.

I've been calling various places to see what their tracks are like and how many laps equal a mile as I anticipate much of my training will be done in one of them.

However, I would LOVE (not said tooooo sarcastically) to be able to do some outdoor running and have some questions.

What do you wear when it's 10F outside? I will set some parameters, probably around any windchill below 10 and I"ll be indoors, or if there's packed ice I won't risk getting injured, and i"m sure I'll come up with a few more as time goes on (LOL)

But for anyone who has run longer distances (10+ miles) outdoors in the winter, i would love some of your advice!

ps, I'm still quite slow, averaging 11 mins/mile so realize that when my 17 mile training run comes up I will be outside for a LONG time!

BrianSharpe

I run all year 'round outdoors (except when there's freezing rain) and it gets cold here in winter (-35C is not unusual in January & February).

Top to bottom:

Toque - preferably with a fleece liner, wicks perspiration away (yup you still sweat when it's cold)

Jacket - running shell
Polar fleece layer
Half zip (only on really, really cold days)
Wicking base layer (merino wool base layer on really cold days)

Running tights
Wind briefs (really cold days - it's a guy thing....)
Thermal/wicking (merino wool is best) base layer

Warm gloves

Merino wool running socks

My running shoes (when it's slippery I use Yak TraXX)

The key is to dress in layers and you should feel a bit chilly at the beginning of the run; trust me, you'll warm up.

krisiepoo

Thank you! That's the temp we get too more than I'd like to admit!

I'll look into these things so I can be successful this winter!

drgndancer

Check with local running clubs. Often they train through the winter and have any combination of advice, indoor facilities, and outdoor routes that are kept clean of snow and ice by the city/county. You may have to travel to the nearest decent sized city (the closest one to me that has an outdoor route they use regularly is Boston), but driving to the city once a week for your long run would be OK if it's not too far. Last year was my first winter in New England and it was ridiculously mild so I didn't need to worry about it, but once the snow starts falling this year I plan to call these guys.

bostongeek

ooooh, I went to school in Minnesota. You are a braver man than I. (so to speak.)

I started running properly in spring of this year so this will be my first Boston winter on the roads, definitely taking notes as well.

drgndancer

ooooh, I went to school in Minnesota. You are a braver man than I. (so to speak.)

I started running properly in spring of this year so this will be my first Boston winter on the roads, definitely taking notes as well.

http://www.communityrunning.org/index.shtml

These are the people I'm planning to talk to in Boston. They have an indoor facility, and the route they use along the river appears to be maintained all winter. I'm pretty new to the area, and fall pretty firmly in "geek" and "running" territory. Mind a friend request?

bostongeek

These are the people I'm planning to talk to in Boston. They have an indoor facility, and the route they use along the river appears to be maintained all winter. I'm pretty new to the area, and fall pretty firmly in "geek" and "running" territory. Mind a friend request?

Not at all! And thanks for the tip!

krisiepoo

Brian, I have been scouting round the internet for some of these things, do you have a store/site that you order more often from?