What Happens to Runners in the Winter?

My question is, what happens in the winter? Do runners still run? I run outside.

Around these parts (Colorado) there are two main strategies for runners in the winter. The first is to keep running where ever they like to run. The second is to stop running for the ski season and ski, because hey, ski season!

What about ice?

Great for ice skating, but harder to find large stable smooth patches than you might expect. If it's post-ice-storm ice (you know, everything coated in several cm of ice, top and bottom) then it's a decent idea to stay in for a day or two till the ice develops some texture or snow freezes on it.

Is it safe to run outside?

Watch where you put your feet. Even in winter, fresh dog poo is still slippery. And watch out for cars, drivers seem to pay less attention in the winter.

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

What kind of condition are the trails in? Flooded? Don't run. Smooth ice? Skate. Patchy ice? Run carefully.

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

Some do that during the summer to. I don't get that at all.

Some serious advice:
Wear layers... and it's better to be chilly than sweaty. Keep your clothes dry, remove layers before you sweat.
Water: you still need it.
Sunblock: sunlight and sunlight reflected form snow double the sun exposure, sunblock can make the next day way more comfortable.
Shoes: runners and trainers usually still work, but it's OK to run in boots if they make you feel better. But you still have to watch where you put your feet, whatever footwear you wear.


TL/dr: Q: How do you run outside in the winter? A: Go outside and run!

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

Some do that during the summer to. I don't get that at all.

Lack of area's to run.

Heat

Humidity

Safety

Mine personally....It was much easier and I was much better at tracking my intervals and splits on the treadmill when I was still a competitive 5K'er and in training.

I'm in Colorado. We rarely get heat and humidity at the same time (yeay!!!!), and safety.. well... I've been unsafe indoors and out (and out has much better "run away" options, in my humble opinion - but I have an upper body with the musculature of pipe cleaners). While I don't get it, I presume that the people who do run indoors do get it. Not holding it against anyone if they do. But if you want to race me, expect to go to the park or the mountains. Sometimes when it's been really rainy, I have used an indoor track. It was OK, except.... it was indoors, like work is.... not so much fun for me.

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

Some do that during the summer to. I don't get that at all.

Lack of area's to run.

Heat

Humidity

Safety

Mine personally....It was much easier and I was much better at tracking my intervals and splits on the treadmill when I was still a competitive 5K'er and in training.

I'm in Colorado. We rarely get heat and humidity at the same time (yeay!!!!), and safety.. well... I've been unsafe indoors and out (and out has much better "run away" options, in my humble opinion - but I have an upper body with the musculature of pipe cleaners).

Safety isn't just attackers...... Safety as in, lack of safe areas to run. Not sure how many times you've had a car not notice you on the shoulder inside....

I'm in MN and run all winter. Layers, you usually need less than you think! I find it easier to run in the cold as well!

As long as it's in the high 30's or above I'm running outside, I just have to bundle up a little extra.
We had a really mild winter in ND this last year, so I started running outside again in February.

This is one of the reasons why I joined a gym. I live in Detroit, and there will be many days when it is too icy and dangerous to run outside. I hate treadmills! But I'm trying to get used to them and other machines for my cardio. Running outside is my preferred method of cardio though.

I live in Canada. Our winters are certainly harsher than Georgia.

I ran outside all winter, except for a week or so when the temperature was well below -20C (well below 0F).

I dress in layers, I choose my running days based on the road conditions (I don't run every day). The roads don't stay icy for long (the salt trucks are out regularly). If it was too much of a problem, I would get those 'yak trax' to put on my shoes.

If you really want to run outside, it's do-able.

Unless it's black ice, I run. I'll break out the wool running socks for sure, but I'll still run.

I'm in Colorado. We rarely get heat and humidity at the same time (yeay!!!!), and safety.. well... I've been unsafe indoors and out (and out has much better "run away" options, in my humble opinion - but I have an upper body with the musculature of pipe cleaners).

Safety isn't just attackers...... Safety as in, lack of safe areas to run. Not sure how many times you've had a car not notice you on the shoulder inside....

Hey! That was on my very short list of serious advice! They pay even LESS attention in the winter. : )

When I've run in winter and the option has been available, I tended to aim for the snow. Fewer cars, less ice. Take high steps and wear gators if warranted. For that matter, wear snowshoes if warranted. A lot less traffic in the way on those days!

I live in California and also run. I run on the treadmill because I work out at 5:30 in the morning when it's dark and because drivers on the streets here don't pay that much attention to pedestrians, even if they're running. Sometimes on the weekend I might take a run outside, thought, on a trail or on a safe course I've created for myself.

So, for me, whether I am outside or on the treadmill, I wear shorts and short sleeved tee shirts year round, even when it's raining.

I wear sub-zero running tights and warm wicking layers, a toque and gloves. I also have cleats that I throw over my running shoes, which work really well on compact snow... less so on ice. It hovers a few degrees below freezing most of the winter here.

Georgia has harsh winters? LMAO! No, I'm in Ohio and while we have bad winters its nothing compared to Wisconsin or Minnesota. I've ran when its 0 degrees, on ice covered roads, in 1/2 foot of snow, etc. I adapted as most do and loved it. Also invested in spikes that slip on my shoes.

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.

Sorry to sound super ignorant, but you guys in Texas have a WINTER?!? I'm from Canada, I always assumed that south from New York state, there wasn't such a thing anymore. Good for you. Winter's awesome.

I cant believe when I see the faithful joggers, here in Chicago by the very icy cold Lake Michigan, still running, and there are sheets of ice on the ground, they dont fall! amazing. they are out there in wind, rain, sleet, snow, everything.