joggers/ runners - What do you do this time of year?

clover5

Snowshoes! It's not that cold here yet, but snowshoeing is fun. It's slow going but a good burn and uses the same muscles so keeps me fit for spring running.

ilovemyboysx3

I hike and run and LOVE this time of year! It's wonderful here in Phoenix! Still in shorts and tank tops although I will put on a light jacket for the ride to the mountain. Yep. I'm bragging.

UpEarly

I take it you don't live in Florida where it was 68 this morning...But on days it is too cold to run(50F), I go to the gym.

Seriously?:huh: Too cold to run at 50F? It was 33 on my run this morning and I was SWEATING!

Haha - I was thinking the same thing! I think 50F is practically spring-like, and I'll run in short sleeves at temps like that. Honestly, I dont typically let cold temperatures stop me. I said in an earlier thread... there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing decisions. :-)

ChristyRunStarr

I run til I can't run anymore-just a lot slower than usual so I can have better footing.

s_waser

Run on the treadmill, take advantage of the unseasonably warm days or workout on the elliptical

puckers82

Thanks for all the replies!

I live in the UK.

Its not the cold that's my problem, i like it like that, its what to do when the paths are slippery. I don't have a treadmill, the gym is expensive and i live in a flat, hence my starting to jog. Im really enjoying it and only go out 3 times a week and know if i had to stop due to weather id miss it lol guess i better start thinking about my other options for when the weather really turns!

Thanks again :-)

1holegrouper

This is the time of year that most running injuries happen. One; its cold and muscles that are not warmed up properly are more likely to tear or strain. Two; its probably dark when you are running and its important to have gear that allows you to be seen and to see.

I have the slip on spikes as well but usually don't need them if my path is well lit so that I am more sure footed. (thanks to my dorky looking but handy Petzyl head lamp).

I encourage everyone to at least try winter/night running. It is very different but its a lot of fun. You are somewhat anonomous since its dark and/or you are bundled up so no matter what kind of stuff you wear and how it looks- who cares. It has to be below zero(F) before I would even consider a treadmill. Treadmills are so incredibly boring and are just not the same. There is no electric motor out there on the road helping me run. Yet, they are better than nothing I guess.

deecapuano

It isn't the outside temps that sideline my outside running so much as the dark! I have a very early window in the morning to exercise so running at 4:30 in the morning outside at this time of the year is not an option. I would run outside if my schedule allowed for a better time of day but that is not an option. So until the skies brighten a bit more in the morning, I will be training on the treadmill. I find it boring and tiresome but it gets the job done. Good music really helps when I run indoors.

Time2Thrive

Thanks for sharing the link. Definitely will be a help with the group I have that just started running. Encouraging them to stay out there this winter.

Yaktrax and dress appropriately, this site has never failed me: http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/whattowear/0,7152,s6-240-325-330-0-0-0-0-0,00.html

You can run in almost any temps, cold weather doesn't cause long term damage to your respiratory system. Layer up appropriately, take time to do a good warm up with walking and stretching and you should probably be fine. I was running in MT in about 25 degree F weather last winter and it felt pretty good.

agbaeb

I take it you don't live in Florida where it was 68 this morning...But on days it is too cold to run(50F), I go to the gym.

Too cold at 50??? lol I just ran this morning at 20-something, and it was wonderful!

bboogle

Winter is a great time of year to run. I live in Saskatchewan (Canada) and our winters are very cold. Plus they last half the year so we can't let them go to waste....er, I mean waist!
Just layer layer layer! The dry wicking materials are so thin you can wear several layers.... and if its really cold (say -30 to -40 C) add a fleece layer to the top and bottom. I also love the fleece mittens that turn back to expose the fingers if you need to cool off, neckwarmer and toque, A light jacket, wind proof if necessary. Yes and trail runners for traction.I Its exhilarating to run in the cold, the only tough part is getting yourself out the door!
I do have a treadmill, which is great when the wind chill is high, but much prefer running outdoors.
Dress so you start the run on the chilly side and when you're done you'll be glad you did! So let's just get out there and do it, eh?

skopp18

I PREFER to run in the cold. The colder it is, the better. Not if it's snowing or if there's ice on the ground (I try to avoid slipping and injuring myself). I actually intend to just start running again tonight.

I just bundle up in layers so I can slowly start unzipping as I get warmer. I have gloves that have the ipod touch tips and I have ear warmers with headphones to connect to my ipod.

I just remind myself that your body needs to burn more calories to keep you warm in the winter, so running in the winter is better than running when it's warm outside.

RunnerLisa1

I bundle up in layers & head out! Usually it's not as bad as I thought it was going to be & cool/cold weather runs sure beat the 104+ days we had in Nebraska this summer. When the ice & snow are really bad, I hit the treadmill & grumble my way through it adding incline. It's not safe to try to run on ice, the last thing I need is a fall & risk breaking something. If I had access to an indoor track I'd use that for sure.

lporter229

In the winter time I avoid paths and run on the streets because they tend to be less icy . Try to stay off of busy roads, always run towards traffic so you can see it coming and wear a reflective vest at dusk and dawn. Avoid streets with no shoulder also. If there is a lot of snow and slush around the street sides, I resort to the treadmill.

Jessamyfrm

Brought myself a Wii Fit for the winter!

emtjmac

Git yerself some yak trax and suck it up!

Kamnikar64

I take it you don't live in Florida where it was 68 this morning...But on days it is too cold to run(50F), I go to the gym.

Seriously?:huh: Too cold to run at 50F? It was 33 on my run this morning and I was SWEATING!

LOL..I am a native Floridian and though I have live in a lot of cold states, I have been back home for the past 12 years and my blood has become thin again, so anything lower than 50 is considered bone chilling...lol.

I agree on the cold. I grew up in IN, IL and CO; 25 years in Alabama and I need a sweater when it's 70 degrees. Have not progressed to running outdoors yet. The humidity is a killer, I think someone already made the point that it's like breathing peanut butter.

AddieOverhaul

Where I live (Vancouver, BC Canada) it is mostly just cold and rainy in the winter; snow and ice is minimal, but it rains ALL THE TIME. I just bought waterproof trail runners and a lightweight breathable waterproof jacket so I can keep running. Someone else mentioned the trail runners too, and they have better grip. If you get a lot of ice and snow then I would also suggest the yaktrax.

I just have no interest in running inside on a treadmill. Half of what I've come to love about running is the fresh air and pretty outdoor sights

simplyeater

I've added an extra layer and gloves but that's about it so far. As it gets icier, I'll probably add some yak tracks and maybe some ear muffs..Looking forward to winter trail runs!

californiagirl2012

I went out on my little jog this morning at 6am it was nice, frosty and only 1 degree, the first path i went down was fine but when i turned into the next street it was very slippery under foot, i kept going but at a slightly slower pace so not to hurt myself.

Im new to all this jogging stuff so my question is how do you deal with this weather and the slippery paths?

I keep going like you. It snows here and gets icy so I have to be careful too. Some days I go to the gym and run on the treadmill and even though I hate it compared to outside I just enjoy the warmth and the fact that I can listen to music. I don't block my ears when running outside, for safety, but use that time to enjoy the fresh air and mountain sounds and smells. Sometimes I drive down the hill where there is no snow and run on a less slick path.

Oh yeah and good trail shoes.

Joreanasaurous

I take it you don't live in Florida where it was 68 this morning...But on days it is too cold to run(50F), I go to the gym.

Seriously?:huh: Too cold to run at 50F? It was 33 on my run this morning and I was SWEATING!

I am in So Cal. Anything below 65 sounds freezing. Lol

msbeeblebrox

I'd join a gym or pick up another sport that is indoors (rock climbing is fun, and I'm a fan of yoga as well) for the winter. Luckily for me, I live in Florida - where winter is the best time to run. I really do pay for the fantastic weather now with our six month long humid summer temperatures.

WAMarathoner

I find that temps in the 30's or 40's (zero to 10 C) are actually ideal for running. Internal body heat keeps me warm. At some point I'll put on a cap and maybe gloves for the extremities. I also love to run in the rain, and a little bit of snow is best of all.

However, common sense requires that you take some precautions for slippery surfaces. You shouldn't try to run as fast, especially going around corners. Just go into it knowing that your time may not be as fast and enjoy all that fresh air!

kathijen

I'll tell you what you do this time of the year. LAYER! I run in anything above 0F, as long as I can manage the ice. Treadmill, biking, swimming, lifting, pilates all are nice winter activities. For good treadmill boredom beaters--look at Another Mother Runner website. They have a list of 10 runs in 60 minutes or less that are pretty entertaining.

PixieGoddess

there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing decisions.

I LOVE THIS! I'm stealing it, just FYI.

But I can't help much on the ice problem: I run in the grass and wear Vibram Five Fingers. When it snows, I switch from VFF Sprints to VFF Treks. Maybe add some toe socks if my tootsies are cold. Along those lines, I would second the suggestion of trail shoes.

puckers82

Thanks again everyone!

I'll look into the Yaktraxs and trail shoes!

Sharon_73

I am a Canadian girl! Today the temperature is 1C (about 33F) and it is great running weather I think. The key to staying warm is dresing in layers. I don't do any more than 3 layers plus a hat and gloves.

If it is too cold, I agree that going indoors is the best plan!

ejwme

if you can switch from first thing in the AM to lunch time, often by then the sun has melted the frost, and if it's actual ice people will have cleared their sidewalks, and municipalities will have salted the roads. In the dead of winter, waiting until evening might get you re-frozen or a new layer of ice, so lunch can be pretty ideal. I swing my runs to mid-day or afternoon in the winter when it's warmer, but early or late at night in the summer when it's cooler. 100 degree F (100% humidity) summer days and 5 degree F winter days don't stop me. I've even got goggles I run if the wind chill is super ridiculous. Best part - everybody else stays inside, so it's super peacefull.

I second the comment on preparation. They sell long sleeves, hats, gloves, all that jazz online - if you're tropical and all adjusted, just layer up sooner than us northerners. Unless you like the indoor hamster-wheel thing, to each his own. I find my little neighborhood 2 mile loop monotonous enough as it is.

Angellaree

Lol. Love the "glare angrily at the treadmill" comment :laugh: :laugh:

love22step

I'm in Texas, and this is the best time of year to go out and run.