Questions for cold weather runners

I don't know about slower, but I can definitely run farther. I live in Georgia where they have a lot of trees, so I can breathe better in cold weather (though i hate cold weather). I am freezing when i am finished too, i just run to my car and turn the heat on.

I just started running a few months ago, currently only run 5k 3 x a week and then mostly do a brisk walk with the dog for about 2 or 2 1/4 mile after I finish (energetic dog, she did the first 4 weeks of the C25K with me without problems but during week 5 she had trouble at the end, she is older, 9 or maybe close to 10 years old so now I run, walk the last block home, get her and we walk at a roughly 3.5 mile pace, sometimes a wee bit faster). I live in WI, some days run in 25 degree temp, occasionally wind to go with the cold I start out feeling chilly, usually comfy up to pretty warm during the run and OK for the walk as long as I don't slow down too much. It helps me to take a hot shower after and most days after run and shower I'll go do 1 hr Yoga. That combination seems to keep me from havong sore legs and feeling chilled. I've noticed that my calves feel pretty sore and I seem to feel chilled and stiff in the evening if I skip the dog walk and/or Yoga. So I try to get at least one, best both exercises in after my run......Drawback is that I often end up in Yoga class at 8 pm......... Still worth it though! Don't know if this would work for you?

I tend to run faster in the cold, and getting cold after a run is sometimes an issue after a really long run (1.5 hours plus), but I take a long hot shower and dress warm afterwards and I am fine. Make sure I blow dry my hair at least some - because it is hard to warm up with wet hair!

You may be running slower because you are increasing distance. Your pace will catch up eventually.

I feel like I'm slower in the cold - the extra layers are constricting - but time-wise it doesn't seem to make as much of a difference as I think it does, other than the additional time it takes to get out the door. I have Raynauds, so I have to be sure to be smart about what I wear and about warming up immediately afterwards - so when I'm done I'll do a quick stretch, shower and get into warm clothes and then finish stretching.

I enjoy running in the colder weather (around 25-35 F). I tend to run farther and a little faster. And what warms me up is a nice hot shower and a cup of hot steamy coffee!

More than likely just fatigue from increased mileage. I find that I run faster in cooler weather. I've also found that as my weekly mileage increases (or the intensity of my workouts increases), the overall pace of my easy runs gets slower. No worries though, it's still building aerobic fitness.

I am much slower AND I am chilly all night too! I put on my warm PJ's after my shower and cozy in with thick socks on...lol

I don't find that I'm running slower but it does seem to take more of an effort. Legs feel heavier when starting out. We're already running in temps hovering around -12C up here. Don't really feel the cold (except on the face) if you dress in layers. Actually I'm almost over warm by the time my run is over.

I definitely run faster, the more miserable the conditions the faster I want to be done! haha. I've found that I'm not cold at the end of the run. My first mile might be a little chilly but I've usually build up a decent amount of heat by the time I'm done.

This never fails me either: http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/whattowear/0,7152,s6-240-325-330-0-0-0-0-0,00.html well dangit this link is broken. I'll put up the "What To Wear" site as soon as I find it.

I run better in warmer weather. The cold literally makes my body ache and i do tend to run slower as well since my legs ache. My fingers usually have trouble keeping warm and the extra layers makes me feel stiff and heavy. But I do it anyway because I love my long runs and do not wish to do them on a treadmill.

I love cold weather running & find that my I feel better during my runs than when it is warm. As for afterwards....a long, hot shower followed by warm clothes. That's about the only way I get warm after a long run in cold weather.

Keep up the great work! Your slower pace may have to do with increased mileage Which is also a good thing!

I notice for me and a lot of other athletes that I train with when in cold weather a tendency if I'm pushing it and inhaling deeply for my chest (lungs, throat) to close up a little bit if it's really cold outside. So of course that would slow me down and cause me to wait for things to open back up. Also, it takes longer to fully warm up in cold weather. I think it's especially important to go out slow and not worry about the pace on your first miles so you can properly warm up. Good luck!

sounds like fatigue to me, I run faster in colder weather. And a hot shower afterwards always helps to warm me up. Under Amour and gloves are a necessity in cold weather.