What Happens to Runners in the Winter?

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

I have some thermal running gear and run in that. I will not, however, run in snow or ice and on those occasions, I run on my treadmill, indoors.

Me and the running group I am with switch to road running in the winter, and trail in summer. Don't wear too many layers lol, just makes u sweat more!

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

I have some thermal running gear and run in that. I will not, however, run in snow or ice and on those occasions, I run on my treadmill, indoors.

Edited to say, I do not run with a stun gun, mace spray or any other weapon.

Layer up, run anyway! I tend to run in the dark with my munchkin in the stroller, packing heat (not because of people, but because of coyotes). My time gets slower, my body doesn't like the cold at all. Look into some lightweight cold weather gear. When I was in college at Auburn, I found good layers of lightweight cold weather gear was great for running in those conditions.

Hey there,

A rugged Canadian here! :-)

Last winter was my first running outside all winter. My first half marathon was a winter run this past Feb.

First, winter running is lots of fun! This surprised me last year. I was mentally preparing myself for months of cold wet misery.

If you run outside now, keep with your current schedule. The weather will change gradually, you will adapt as the weather changes.

The scuttlebutt I have heard is that you should dress for 10 Deg C warmer than the outdoor temperature. To deal with how your body rate increases as you run. Not sure how true this is but I have run in shorts on ridiculously cold days. And been perfectly comfortable.

The important thing with cold temperature running (in my opinion) is not to over dress. My experience is that over dressing leads to excessive sweating and this leads to being cold the second you stop.

The offset to this is to invest in some form of face covering that can be taken on/off several times during a long run. It can be hard on the lungs with a cold wind in your face.

The issue of trail running might be an issue? Be careful there, up here, trails are not cleared. It is hard to run in deep snow and if you are at all off a track that is regularly used? Let people know where you plan to run and for how long.

I hope that you enjoy the winter running experience as much as I did!

I just started running this Spring and am in love with it too! I live in NS, Canada and we have lots of snow and ice from late November till March. I'm really hoping for some insights on this too. Will my regular runners cut it or do I need a specialty shoe? My husband bought me an awesome treadmill (hint, hint....'get in shape!') that I might use for interval training on nasty days, but I am definitely an outdoor girl. My local YMCA has a new indoor track which I'd like to try too. I think the key will be finding a solution before the winter starts.

Hard to say for sure... it will depend on traction and your ability to keep your feet dry.

I used to be a diehard runner and would run outside year round... love seeing the Christmas lights on the homes with falling snow, really brightens my mood. But as I get older, I opt for the elliptical at the gym.

It can be a beautiful experience running through virgin snow @ 5AM.

I guess it's like the first ski run of the day! I like it!

I run a whole lot more in the winter than I do in the summer! I live in the Virginia mountains, so in the summer, it's hot, extremely humid, buggy. Add that to all the tough hills I have to climb on my route, I typically don't run between late June and mid September.

In the winter - I wear lightweight wicking layers, a hat and gloves. If it's icy, I put YakTrax on. Running in the winter is awesome!

Layers. Gloves.

I live in NH and will run as long are the streets are cleared and dry. If not, stationary bike in the house and gym.

I started running last September, so I only have one winter under my belt. I ran outside until the sidewalks became inpassable with constant snow. Unfortunaltely, a large part of my route is on the sidewlk along very busy, streets with blind curves. Running on the street instead of the sidewalk is not a safe option.

I found I was comfortable down to about 30°f. Much below that and it became uncomforatble to breath. Covering my nose / mouth with my running scarf just fogs up my glasses, which then freezes. I can breathe, but and am now blind.

Sadly, at that point I switch to the dreadmill until the sidewalks once again are passable and/or it is not quite so freezing. .

guess I should say this, I live in Georgia and we can have some harsh winters.

Ok, after I got done laughing at the harsh Georgia winters, just keep running. I'm in Canada and I run all winter. Some days you pick whether you go out or not so I have a treadmill but if the road is clear then I layer up and head out.

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!!!

Wisconsin winters can be quite rough, sometimes we can get through most of December without any snow but the harsh, cold air can come sooner and can be hard on my lungs. I had asthma for a number of years and the cold air was always so difficult to breathe. For the winter, I have winter running apparel and sometimes add layers. Long pants, tech shirt, jacket, gloves, headband (over the ears) and for my mouth, a running cowl. I don't know what the name is, but it goes over my head and rests on my shoulders to keep my neck warm and I pull that over my mouth.

If the sidwalks aren't shoveled yet, the roads usually are. So I'll run on less busy streets too. I really enjoy running during the winter months but fortunately my new gym has an indoor track for the days I cannot run outside.

I'll run on whatever might be clear outdoors in the winter.