What Happens to Runners in the Winter?

joannadalina
joannadalina Posts: 112 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all --

I just recently started running this past summer and have fallen in love with it.

My question is, what happens in the winter? Do runners still run? I run outside. What about ice? Is it safe to run outside? Oh, guess I should say this, I live in Georgia and we can have some harsh winters. No snow but a lot of black ice, so roads can be super slippery.

I like to run on trails too, like hiking trails, is that safe in the winter?

Or do runners just run on treadmills? Not a big fan of treadmills but will do what I gotta do.

Just curious.

Feel free to add me :)

Thanks,
Joanna
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Replies

  • fitmomhappymom
    fitmomhappymom Posts: 171 Member
    I live in Texas, so its pretty much the opposite. In the summer its too hot to run outside so I use machines at the gym. In the winter its perfect running weather. I just add an extra layer.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    I run outdoors all year long. I change up my clothing based on conditions, but that's about it.
  • sfphelan
    sfphelan Posts: 53 Member
    I live in Arkansas and i run yr round. i am not a big fan of the tredmill so i tend to just layer up and hit the roads and trails.. research dressing for your area and just try it out and determine for yourself. everyone is different but i love it yr round!
  • SkinnyFatAlbert
    SkinnyFatAlbert Posts: 482 Member
    I started running last year doing the C25K right before winter started. We get some ice here in NC but it's usually not bad. I just did it inside if the weather was crappy. I will say it's 10x easier (for me at least) to run in the winter than the summer. Even now in 80 degree heat I can only do about 3 miles. My highest in the winter last year was 8.
  • mmouse90
    mmouse90 Posts: 83
    If the roads/sidewalks are clear I will run but if there is ice I move inside to the dreaded treadmill
  • JustAnotherGirlSuzanne
    JustAnotherGirlSuzanne Posts: 932 Member
    I'm facing the same dilemma. I live in Southern Ontario so our winters are all over the place and you can pretty much count on both snow and ice. I think I'll go for it and maybe run a little slower... or use salted sidewalks.
  • ademiter
    ademiter Posts: 176 Member
    I'm wondering about this myself. I'm in NC and I've been told that running in the winter is SOOOO much harder than in the summer because of the cold air and how it affects your breathing. I have asthma, so I'm a bit concerned. I too just started this summer! Curious myself!!!
  • workout_ninja
    workout_ninja Posts: 524 Member
    I live in Scotland and I still go out and run in the winter. We tend to have our roads gritted though, so although it isnt safe to run on the paths, it is safer to run on the roads. I avoid all nature trails in the winter during the ice and snow and i wrap up
  • joakool
    joakool Posts: 434 Member
    I live in the Midwest and our winters can be rough, too. The bike path I normally run on gets iced over for several months during the winter isn't even safe to walk on let alone run. Therefore, I purchased a nice used treadmill from Craigslist and I use it for shorter runs. For my longer runs, I am fortunate to have an 1/8 mile indoor track at a community center close to me. I can log my long runs there with warmth and music! LOL.

    The "other" Joanna :smile:
  • Montarosa456
    Montarosa456 Posts: 133
    I live in the UK so we are allllllll good with bad weather :)
    I just change up my clothing - I do have 'winter' trainers aka gortex and better grip for bad weather/slippy conditions
    The only thing that bothers me is the dark - So I run longer outside during the day at the weekend and the horrible treadmill during week days (when it get's really dark)
  • SkinnyFatAlbert
    SkinnyFatAlbert Posts: 482 Member
    I'm wondering about this myself. I'm in NC and I've been told that running in the winter is SOOOO much harder than in the summer because of the cold air and how it affects your breathing. I have asthma, so I'm a bit concerned. I too just started this summer! Curious myself!!!

    I don't have asthma so I can't comment on that part, but for me I find the cold air easier than the humid air we seem to get in the summers.
  • tzig00
    tzig00 Posts: 875 Member
    I got told to buy trail shoes and insulated pants. This is what my friend does...My winter running garb: A long sleeve technical t-shirt, with a snug fitting t-shirt over top of that. Lightly insulated warmup pants, light gloves and a winter hat. I've found that was plenty to keep me warm. Occasionally if it was really bitter out I wore a scarf over my face.

    We live in MI so it gets brutal during the winter. I personally haven't tried it but I will this winter. I want to get better and taking off all winter isn't an option.
  • pithole
    pithole Posts: 75 Member
    Just. Keep. Running.
    I'm in the Philly burbs and we get plenty of snow.
    Just wear the right clothes and be careful.
    It can be a beautiful experience running through virgin snow @ 5AM.
  • tzig00
    tzig00 Posts: 875 Member
    I'm wondering about this myself. I'm in NC and I've been told that running in the winter is SOOOO much harder than in the summer because of the cold air and how it affects your breathing. I have asthma, so I'm a bit concerned. I too just started this summer! Curious myself!!!

    With athsma if it gets too cold, put a scarf over your mouth. Breathing in the humid air is better for your lungs. That's what my doc told me. :flowerforyou:
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  • JillyBadass
    JillyBadass Posts: 20 Member
    Run in the bitter cold!! I have grown to love running in every season and appreciate the beauty in all weather conditions. Plus you feel like a complete badass when you run in 19 degree weather! Invigorating!!

    Oklahoma here. We get it all. The only word of caution would be for lightning and black ice.
  • jpbgrad98CHANGED
    jpbgrad98CHANGED Posts: 113
    I am interested in this as well. I just started at the beginning of August, and love it. I want to continue through the winter and was going to just bundle up, but my fear is that I will get sick and then de-rail. :-(
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    It can be a beautiful experience running through virgin snow @ 5AM.

    TOTALLY agree.
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    you buy thermal running gear, gloves and muffs and you keep running.

    I live in NC and ran through the winter last year. It's an investment, but worth it.
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    I live in Texas, and while it doesn't usually get too cold or icy, the wind can be blistering at times. On those days, I just switch up the cardio and do some boxing or step aerobics. Then the next time the weather calms down, it's back to running. Better to mix it up a little anyway.
  • glenniscurry
    glenniscurry Posts: 4
    I live in Georgia too and a few days a year are hazardous but the rest will be just fine. Besides, with all our fear of icy/snowy weather, you will have plenty advance notice. As a general rule, sidewalks ice before pavement, so be careful on them.
  • IbiH
    IbiH Posts: 250 Member
    I live in the UK so we are allllllll good with bad weather :)
    I just change up my clothing - I do have 'winter' trainers aka gortex and better grip for bad weather/slippy conditions
    The only thing that bothers me is the dark - So I run longer outside during the day at the weekend and the horrible treadmill during week days (when it get's really dark)

    Thanks for the tip for running in winter..... However, do you all still run in the rain? Rain can be the biggest issue here in Wet West Wales!!! (aka right at this very moment!!!)
  • HopeDaleen930
    HopeDaleen930 Posts: 39
    I was wondering this too. I'm worried the air might be too cold for my lungs. I live in NW PA. How do you handle the cold air?
  • daniellemm1
    daniellemm1 Posts: 465 Member
    bump. New runner here and winter is coming.
  • DaniettaF
    DaniettaF Posts: 212 Member
    I'm wondering about this myself. I'm in NC and I've been told that running in the winter is SOOOO much harder than in the summer because of the cold air and how it affects your breathing. I have asthma, so I'm a bit concerned. I too just started this summer! Curious myself!!!

    With athsma if it gets too cold, put a scarf over your mouth. Breathing in the humid air is better for your lungs. That's what my doc told me. :flowerforyou:

    This is genius. I always get a sore throat if i try and run when it's cold, so have avoided doing in winter, but this should definitely work! Thanks :D
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    This may or may not apply depending on where you live...

    But in a lot of areas, the wind is a bigger deal than the temp is. 20° is nothing compared to a strong, cold wind. So while it's important to have warmer clothes as the temps drop, it's more important to protect yourself from the wind.
  • Mtfd02
    Mtfd02 Posts: 239 Member
    I live in the U.P. of Michigan and we get about 200 inches of snow, but we still run outside, but if it goes below 34deg and wind chill of minus whatever then I go to the Dome to run in on the campus of NMU.... dress warmer and in layers

    The first 10miler I ran back in April they had to change the route because of snow not melting yet!
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    They run in the dark. In layers. Carrying a stun gun.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    I live by the beach, running in winter is not possible for me. My whole body, mainly knees do not like cold. So walking has taken over till warmer weather settles back in. Almost time now :)
  • So_Much_Fab
    So_Much_Fab Posts: 1,146 Member
    Find a safe place to run (i.e. not on dark icy roads) and dress properly. Running in the winter is great because if you're dressed properly you don't overheat like you can in the summer.

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