Running in cold weather

I have always heard that if you are standing outside before your run and you aren't shivering lose a layer. Obviously this is when it is cooler out and you want to wear layers.I live in MN and the winters get pretty cool. When run outside I would wear a tank top one long sleeved running shirt and a light weight jacket and cheap thin gloves. If it was really cold I would add ear protection. If it was below 30 degrees I wouldn't run outside. I am too much of a chicken. I hope that it isn't that cold in one month up there! Good Luck!

I ran last winter, but I live in California, so temps here rarely get below freezing. Still chilly though, and I found layers to be the best for me. Light tank or tee, then a long sleeved wicking top - my favorite has a half zip so I can start with it all the way up like a turtleneck, and unzip as I warm up through the run. I bought a few pairs of running tights for really chilly mornings. If it's really cold (by California standards, so maybe near freezing AND windy ), I might add a light fleece top layer. My ears always get cold, so I have a light fleece head/ear wrap thingy, and thin gloves - those really cheap thin ones worked great for me, and some even have the special finger tips that allow you to use your touch screen on your phone or iPod - very handy.

WAIT WAIT WAIT!!!! What? Is there a Colour Run going on in Ontario? I live in Ontario an I am DESPERATE to do one... where? When?

Running in Cold weather is something I need to figure out, too! i am ok with COLD but not ICE.

I found this link very helpful for determining how to properly dress to run outside in cold or hot.

http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/whattowear/0,,s6-240-325-330-0-0-0-0-0,00.html

My biggest struggle running this past winter was my lower face. My jaw would get so cold - sometimes to the point where it didn't want to move when I got home so I could hardly talk! This year I'll be buying a half mask which will also keep my ears warm, although that's not usually an issue for me.

As for the rest of the gear, I have long running pants, a long sleeve t-shirt and a light jacket. That usually gets me through the 40's and if it's colder than that, I'd rather go to the gym.

I run all winter long; in the snow, in the hail, in the slush, whatever! My general rule of thumb is to dress as it is about 10 degrees (C) warmer than it actually is. I use a head band (something that covers my ears) and gloves which I usually take off after 20ish minutes. If it's below -5 -> -10C, I will wear tight pants that are lined with a thin layer of fleece and material that will wick sweat; something similar in a top. Good luck!

I live high up in Sweden. I have been running for 10 years. I do it all year around even in snow and ice. Its possible.

The main thing is that you have to be an addiced runner. If you have that you just gear up properly. Noting expensive.

When its above -1 to -8 C . wear long runner trousers(?) and longsleeve shirts for sports and a shelljacket. Don´t forget a cap or a hat to keep you warm in the start. Gloves are really important because the hands tend to freeze when running.

-10 C and under, you have to wear additional shirts and leggings or an undergarnment specially made for sports (nothing fancy) or a merino wool garnment, mittens and a hat will keep the cold out.

Usually the problem is not the cold its the wind, so always wear a shell jacket or a wind breaker.

When there is ice under the snow, it can be really slippery and you don´t want to strain your ancles because it take weeks to recover and during that time its not adviced to run. Wear dubbs. Either buy expensive icebuggs, they are good or buy buggs that you can put on your runnershoes. I use the latter. Some people don´t like running with those. I love the clicking sound it makes, its meditating in my opinion.

Then lastly, its lovely to run in the snowy landscapes, just fantastic. Glistening snow and the warmth of your breath. I haven´t had any issues re. the breathing eventhough its very cold sometimes, I think the body gets used to it. I know some people buy breathing apparatus that heatens the air. But I never tried them. The coldest I´ve been running in is -22 windy. That is really cold. The good thing about the cold is that stopping is not an option. You have to keep on running (to survive)!

Good luck!

Definitely layer. On a budget, I'd go with "performance" base layer (Target has decent stuff from champion, or you can go under armor or similar if you want, but I think that stuff is over priced. If you want to spend the money, go to a running/cycling shop and see what htey have. Craft, Sugio, etc beats under armor, no contenst.

Anyways... go performance next to the skin, then you can get away with cotton layers after that. The problem with cotton is that it loses most of it's warming/insulating ability once it gets wet.

After that, watch out for the wind. Dealing with the cold is fairly easy, but wind can be dangerous.

I run through the winter as well... but this past winter in Boise was unusually warm. I think my coldest starting run temp. was 25 degrees. I just wear a long sleeved shirt and an ear covering headband and gloves.

I live in Edmonton and run all winter. There's already been a lot of good advice and would agree with everyone that has said that you should start out feeling a little bit cool (the rule of dressing like its 10 degrees warmer is a good one). I think the biggest thing for me was to invest in a couple of good technical layers that wicked away moisture really well - I found this more important for winter running than summer running. I went to the Running Room and got a good pair of winter running tights and a long sleeve base layer - they were an investment but have held up all winter and I'll have them for years. I also bought a pair of YakTrax for some added traction when running on the snow and ice - they are AWESOME!! You can get them at Mountain Equipment Coop and are about $40. Winter running is GREAT - I initially thought I would hate it but I actually like it better than running in the summer - there's nothing better than running on a quite road on fresh snow!!! Good luck!

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