Running in the snow

deannajf4

Last summer, my sister-in-law and I got into a really awesome early morning run together...then we both got preggers, and stopped. This summer we were dealing with newborns sleepless nights and breastfeeding, so didn't get back into it BUT I would love to get going again AND we have signed up for a Warrior Dash this July that we need to be ready for.

I've never been so into running that I've had to figure out how to run in the snow and slush etc...does anyone have tips about what to wear or how to manage the cold and wet?

Thanks!
Deanna

Mtfd02

I would say dress warm depending on weather, I don't run if its below 33deg, they haven't plowed the paths here to good and I'm training for a half coming up in April along with the Army 10miler in DC, feel free to add....

One thing is to dress in layers so you can always take off when you get warm but can't add once you get going, and running during the noon to afternoon if possible so you in the warmest part of the day helps as well

CarsonRuns

Dress like it's 20° warmer than it is.
Keep the hands and head warm.
Don't overdress your legs as they are doing the work and will warm up.
You will be cold for the first 10 to 15 minutes, after which you'll be comfortable.
Make sure you wear wicking fabrics. You don't want the sweat on your body, that makes you cold.
If you are running in snow, maybe invest on trail shoes. For icy conditions, check out YakTrax. https://www.yaktrax.com/

ejwme

No cotton. No cotton. No cotton.

Synthetics or wool - materials that wick - should be 100% your bottom layer and your outter layer. You might have a lovely cotton blend jersey fleeced sweatshirt that looks so warm and perfect... leave it at home to wear when you are done. No cotton. Even socks, get just one pair of running socks, your feet will be so much happier.

Definitely dress like it's 20(F) degrees warmer - so if it's 40F, dress in what you find comfortable to lounge around in when it's 60F (but no cotton). If it's 30F, dress like it's 50F (I wear shorts down to about 30F, but I run hot). If it's 20F, dress like it's 40F. BUT below about 15F you start having to worry about wind chill and frostbite just from contact with the air, so you may have to play with the layers a bit to be comfortable, breathing, but limiting skin exposure. Below 10 be very, very careful (I admit, I don't run outside below 10F, but I train with people who do).

Sidewalks that aren't clear can be a lot to handle, my 'hood doesn't have them so I run in the street all the time - I just take a tire track through the snow and take it carefully. On snow and ice, don't go for speed, just put in the time or do the distance as carefully as you have to and know you're working your stabilizer muscles like crazy.