Running during winter?

When I can I prefer running outside, I just make sure it isn't raining when I do.

The cold usually pushes me inside a gym, i find I have more difficulty breathing in the cold air

This will be my first winter so we will see, but yesterday it was north wind and rainy (horrid) and the day before north wind and snowing (not as horrid)

I posted about keeping warm whilst running in the cold as I sweat profusely (regardless of the temperature) and on tuesday it was bitterly cold and I got really cold coz my hair was dripping and the neck of my top too, any ideas people.......? I dont have an indoor option so it is outside or not at all :grumble:

I Live in Minnesota...I am definately inside on a treadmill

I prefer to always run outside. The only thing that forces me indoors is ice & snow, and as soon as that is plowed away, i'm back outside. The indoor track that i use has too many turns per mile(52) and they are banked, which is hard on my ankles and shins. I have cw-x thermal tights for cold weather and i layer wicking clothing on top, so as long as the temps are 20 degrees and up, i'm outside.:happy:

I run outside all winter. Use moisture wicking fabrics (NO COTTON), reflective vest, flashlight, headlamp, and yaktraks for my shoes if it is slick. The coldest I ran was -10F last winter, with no issues, and could have gone colder. I wear a balaclava when it is below 10-20 degrees b/c the cold air hurts my lungs, too, and that helps.

HTH.

I live in Minnesota and have run many times in the deep of Winter. It's SO worth it just for the crazy looks people in warm cars give you. =D. I'll avoid icy and windy days and head to a treadmill instead. One tip I would offer besides layering without cotton and wearing hi-visibility clothing plus flashy lights if it's dark, is to pick up one of those neoprene half-facemasks that skiers & snowboarders wear. The have breathing vents and will not only help to warm the air going into your lungs, they'll help you avoid frostbite.

Watch your step and good luck!

Dang auto-correct!! That should be 'WEARING' not 'eating' hi-viz clothing...


Is there a way to edit a post after it's been submitted?!?

i did a double-take when i read your first post :laugh:

This is a great article on night running, which is what I do most winter. I stick to the irrigation ditches to avoid vehicles.

http://www.marathonnation.us/marathon-training/night-running-how-to-get-stay-fit-with-daylight-savings-time/

I live in the Phoenix area in Arizona and this is absolutely the time of year to get outside, then come June it's indoors or in water! I don't know how people who live in snowy areas manage to even get out of bed in the morning let alone run in it :noway:

Just a couple cents worth.

There are many mental blocks to running, it can be night, cold, wind, rain, or whatever we want to imagine. With proper gear and caution there are few conditions that can't be managed (lightning for example). I live in Iowa, been running for 15 years and have learned to enjoy the winter running (mostly for crazy looks as mentioned above). I have cleats to run on ice, and plenty of layers and gear to stay warm. Including a way to store water under my jacket so it doesn't freeze at -20F

Beside running, yes, I even bike all year with studded tires. Riding at night and on snow have been a phobia for year, not now, and yet another example of attacking the mental block and discovered it is a lot of fun!

One simple "trick", when the hands get numb due to the cold. Here is how to help.. It is due to poor circulation because all the blood is going to the legs doing the work. This will look dumb, but works. Do some fist clamps, then wave the hands down, then up, fist clamps again and repeat a few times. This gets some fresh circulation to the hands, and heat is transfered by blood flow. They will perk right up again.

So... knock em out, no worries.

Ray

It takes some getting used to but cold weather running is fun! Like everybody said, be sure to layer (with wicking material as your base next to your skin), and stay hydrated. You will warm up pretty quickly.

Bump: Haven't ran when there was snow outside, but going to try colder weather this year..