Runners: How cold is to cold?

freyaheart
freyaheart Posts: 220 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I do not like running on days like this. Here is Pennsylvania it is 0 degrees F. I don't like winter to begin with but I've ran on days as cold as 20 F. It was last year's turkey trot.
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Replies

  • DeeVanderbles
    DeeVanderbles Posts: 589 Member
    I have run as cold as like 35F and definitely will not run outside when it's any colder. I think it is mostly personal preference, but definitely dress for the weather. You wouldn't want to get frost bite anywhere just because you wanted to go outside for a run. I'm training for my 10K on the treadmill until it warms up more. I don't expect to get outside on a regular basis until March-ish. I live in Rochester, New York.
  • waterwaif
    waterwaif Posts: 31 Member
    I can't (meaning won't) run below 35 degrees or so. But I'm a Floridian.
  • Xiaolongbao
    Xiaolongbao Posts: 854 Member
    I'm a complete wimp. Anything under 10 degrees Celsius and I struggle to get outside.
  • scribb
    scribb Posts: 3,659 Member
    For me it is more about the icy roads. I will run down to about 0 f without wind as long as the roads are not slick.
  • layne_mat
    layne_mat Posts: 9 Member
    I've ran in -20 C, but I usually draw the line at -15 C or so. Makes me a little nervous to go colder.
  • livelaughloveandfitness
    livelaughloveandfitness Posts: 88 Member
    I don't like to run if it's under 40 lol. My uncle is a big runner he runs like 10 miles everyday and a few weeks ago when that big cold storm came through he went and ran in like -47. I told him he's crazy lol! I'm a wimp to cold!
  • TheGymGypsy
    TheGymGypsy Posts: 1,023 Member
    If it's freezing or below, I would rather run on the treadmill. I would rather be bored then miserable and cold.
  • scottyg70
    scottyg70 Posts: 388 Member
    I posted in a forum the other day that it's never too cold to run. I would like to retract that statement after this morning (-7F). I wimped out and didn't go. So I would say my limit is between 5-10 degrees F with no wind chill. Ice usually stops me before the cold.
  • sunnyskies1780
    sunnyskies1780 Posts: 24 Member
    Layers, layers, layers, and then it is fine. I ran last night and it was about 5 degrees before factoring in the wind chill. Dressing appropriately allowed me to get in an hour run. Being prepared is the most important, and even when it isn't that cold I have several different weight neck and face warmers because breathing through something, and not just the cold air into your lungs makes a world of difference.
  • fleetzz
    fleetzz Posts: 962 Member
    Disclaimer: I have lived in Florida for almost 6 years.

    Below 43. And in the 40's I wear 4 layers, sweat pants, gloves, and a hat.
  • aelphabawest
    aelphabawest Posts: 173 Member
    About "feels like" 15F is my limit, but I'm likely still going to do my long run on Saturday even though it will "feel like" 10F. I just can't do 11 miles on the treadmill.
  • andibenoit
    andibenoit Posts: 71 Member
    I've run down to about 14F... It's all about layers and covering my ears and face.
  • scottyg70
    scottyg70 Posts: 388 Member
    About "feels like" 15F is my limit, but I'm likely still going to do my long run on Saturday even though it will "feel like" 10F. I just can't do 11 miles on the treadmill.

    I'm not doing 11 miles, but avoiding the treadmill is normally my motivating factor.
  • Leonidas_meets_Spartacus
    Leonidas_meets_Spartacus Posts: 6,198 Member
    I ran for an hr yesterday in 28F, but struggled to run for 20 min in 32F couple of days back. I have a 2 hr run planned for tomorrow in 10 F weather, not sure if I can do it. I hate treadmill and prefer running outside.
  • KristiRTT
    KristiRTT Posts: 346 Member
    As a upstate NYer I have been dealing with sub-zero temps for the past month! Personally with a few layers on I have ran outside in -15F feels like temps! Anything colder and I bring it indoors, unfortunately it's been colder than that most mornings at 5am when I run! However my coworkers think I am crazy, there are quite a few runners out in these temps!
  • LishieFruit89
    LishieFruit89 Posts: 1,956 Member
    About "feels like" 15F is my limit, but I'm likely still going to do my long run on Saturday even though it will "feel like" 10F. I just can't do 11 miles on the treadmill.

    I ran a race on a day that said 'feels like 15f".
    I had a tank top, a light UA long sleeve and a light/medium weight reebok jacket.
    I very seriously considered finishing in my tank top when I overheated lol

    I dont know how cold id go since ice stops me first.
    We just had a storm and I dont feel like tanking it on the icy sidewalks. It was 1f this AM
  • jclist1
    jclist1 Posts: 87 Member
    I live in Wisconsin, so I find myself running in pretty cold temps. The last few days have been hovering around 0 with a wind chill that puts it closer to -10/-15F. It's harder to get out and run in the temps mentally. My body can generally handle it. Too much wind chill and I it the treadmill, but for the most part, as long as it isn't super icy, I am outside.
  • freyaheart
    freyaheart Posts: 220 Member
    Respect to the people that are out running everyday regardless. I was out driving in a bad snow storm the other day and someone was out running. I couldn't see one inch of uncovered skin! I'm a total baby when it comes to cold. I don't even want to go to the gym today, I just don't want to leave the house.
  • LouSmorals
    LouSmorals Posts: 93 Member
    Anything below 32F (0C) and I'm not going out. Been living in Florida way too long, I am a total puss
  • BAFilek
    BAFilek Posts: 139 Member
    This winter my limit is below zero F. Last winter I ran in below zero temperatures and my eyelashes had icicles hanging on them!
  • BigMech
    BigMech Posts: 472 Member
    I've been running 3 times this week in 10 degree weather with a windchill bringing it close to 0. The key is to dress in layers. Under Armor and Nike make some great cold weather gear. A balaclava is also a big help, covers the neck and head.
  • doug_pierce
    doug_pierce Posts: 255
    Personally, I'll go down to about 25"F. Acording to competitor.com the answer is -17"F. - http://goo.gl/ByPLOQ
  • teamAmelia
    teamAmelia Posts: 1,247 Member
    I forced myself to bike in 60-something degree weather a few months back. I'd have to think that would be the lowest I could go. If my fingers are hurting from the cold or my legs are numb, then it's too cold. If it's windy, there's no way in the world I'd do it.
  • mrslcoop
    mrslcoop Posts: 317 Member
    20F or less won't happen for me (with or without wind chill). It was a brisk -2 this morning here (normally we average 37F in central Ohio this time of year). Needless to say I saw no one out for a morning jog and my neighborhood is jogging obsessed.
  • Daisy471
    Daisy471 Posts: 409 Member
    So far the coldest I have run in is 15F with a windchill around 0F. I finished my planned run, but didn't like it. The forecast for tomorrow's 10k is 13F with 18 mph wind and a windchill of -3F. I'm planning on lots of layers :)
  • handyrunner
    handyrunner Posts: 32,662 Member
    I tend to heat up pretty well so runnin down to about 10 deg is not an issue after I get started...I HATE the treadmill. the worst part for me here in PA is not the cold its the ice and snow and having to watch i dont break my *kitten*! did I mention I hate the treadmill!
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    About "feels like" 15F is my limit, but I'm likely still going to do my long run on Saturday even though it will "feel like" 10F. I just can't do 11 miles on the treadmill.

    I'm not doing 11 miles, but avoiding the treadmill is normally my motivating factor.

    Agreed. Single digit temps is usually my limit, but I might bundle up and tough it out for a longer run, just to avoid the treadmill. Anything over 45 minutes on the treadmill is rough for me. Other things such as wind and ice also factor into the decision though.
  • livingmylegacy
    livingmylegacy Posts: 17
    I LOVE running in cold weather! And I don't get it as much as I want being in South Carolina. My favorite time to run is early in the mornings before the sun comes up when it's below freezing. I heat up so much during the run that the cold doesn't both me a bit. In fact, it usually feels really nice.

    Now, I haven't had the opportunity to run in anything much lower than 15F, so I'm not sure if I'd enjoy that as much.
  • freyaheart
    freyaheart Posts: 220 Member
    Personally, I'll go down to about 25"F. Acording to competitor.com the answer is -17"F. - http://goo.gl/ByPLOQ

    Unless I am dressed 100% head to toe like an Eskimo or have magically turned into a penguin that is not happening.
  • davemunger
    davemunger Posts: 1,139 Member
    I live in North Carolina so I haven't actually experienced a "too cold" day. The coldest I've run in here is 5 degrees, a couple weeks ago. With enough layers, I was fine. I didn't even have to break out the ski gear. I think I actually have enough clothing that I could run comfortably down to about minus 10. But I guess I'll have to wait and see if that is really true -- or take a trip to Minnesota in the winter!

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