Outdoor Runners - What do you do when it Snows?

Hope winter is not too harsh for you!
I run outside all year long. For me, winter is a more enjoyable running experience than in the heat of the summer. (I live just outside Montreal, Quebec)
How to do it? First, don't stop in the fall. Keep up your running schedule as the seasons change. My thought is that this allows your body to adapt to the changing temperature and not be shocked by cold winter temperatures.
The next issue is when is it too cold to run outside. Personally, I have run outside in temperatures below -25 Deg C. But, I do not recommend anyone follow my example. My opinion is that running outside for 60-90 minutes at temperatures down to -15 Deg C is safe for most people who take the time to acclimatize during the fall and early winter.
The next issue would be the snow. If you are primarily a road runner. Invest in trail shoes. These will give extra traction to help you avoid slipping on ice and snow. There are also many different types of grips you can put on street shoes during the winter. I have a set but use them only after freezing rain. My experience is that they clog up with snow and slush quickly and become uncomfortable.
Last thought, adjust your clothing as the seasons change. You will certainly need to add layers as the temperatures get colder. And, because your heart rate will increase despite the cold. Once you finish running, get inside quickly. When it is really cold out, sweat turns to ice in seconds! Take it from my experience, this is not a pleasant situation.
Hope this helped and hope you have fun running all year long!

...as it should have been the hottest summer in the last 30 years

I'm concerned as well, not for the temperature, rjust a few degrees below 0, but for the snow

footpaths and roads will be full of melting snow, difficult to walk, impossible to run on!

I actually prefer running in winter than summer. In Ottawa it gets very cold and snowy, just like the Layering properly is definitely key and good footwear. For my preference, the Asics 1000 G-TX are the best for winter runs. They are Goretex with extra traction. I also wear smart wool socks. Snow isn't as much as a concern as the ice is I run in my neighbourhood with the Running Room and prefer the road to the sidewalk as it tends to be clearer.

KyleB65 wrote: »

Just in case there was any question about my running in the cold! ;-)
A picture from last January. A Saturday morning 10K @ -26 Deg C (A selfie while waiting for a train to go by)

Nice to see I'm not the only crazy one around here!

There's no such things as bad weather only bad clothes and equipment. Get the right stuff and you'll be fine.

If you have an old pair of sneakers you can make screw shoes! They give you better grip on icy/snowy sidewalks, and it sounds like you're tapdancing when you run.

Cold weather running is fabulous once you figure out your layering needs. I personally need to cover my face with a balm for skin protection and always wear eye protection.
I use trail running shoes most of the winter season and like another said above the smart wool socks. Probably my craziest moments have been running in freezing rain but if you're careful with foot placement it's a blast.

The only time winter kept me from running last year was in February when the temps in my area of the US were below zero F when just stepping out the door took your breath away.

My recommendation is if you run now just keep on running and add layers as needed. You'll either like winter running or you won't no harm is trying. If not, run inside and get a pair of snowshoes for some good leg workouts in nature.

As a new runner (4 months now) I am REALLY looking forward to winter running in Minnesota. I love winter and think that running in the snow and cold will be a blast.

I complain. Where I live, we rarely get snow, so when it does come, everything grinds to a halt. No plows, no salt. I don't have appropriate shoes, and it's hilly. The last time I went for a run when it was frosty, I slipped and got reeeaaally lucky. That took care of my runs on any pavement that isn't wet or dry.

I use the Yak Trax and just run more slowly in snow and ice.

I have a coworker (ultra marathoner) who uses screws in his shoes.
http://www.competitiverunner.com/screwshoes.html

KyleB65 wrote: »

Just in case there was any question about my running in the cold! ;-)
A picture from last January. A Saturday morning 10K @ -26 Deg C (A selfie while waiting for a train to go by)

If you get a hood made out of wolverine fur it wont gather frost

Try this idea if you have an old pair of running shoes you recently retired...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us82woC7RMM


Or they also make something call yaktrax
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=yaktrax+for+running&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=35049542004&hvpos=1t2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2317202743279073875&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_w33v3ehbb_b

The problem with snow in the UK is it melts and re freezes into ice very quickly, and we don't have the infrastructure to keep pavements clear. I'm planning to hit the treadmill if it's icy or snowy, it's not worth falling over and getting injured

lporter229 wrote: »

Sometimes you have to get creative and be flexible about where and when you run. Most of the running paths are not cleared around here in the winter, so I tend to do more running in neighborhoods without a lot of traffic since there isn't usually much room for running on the shoulder of the road. For long runs, I try to meet up with the group at the local running store. The owner there always has a pre-planned course of various distances and he does a very good job of routing it so that the area is safe and as free of ice and snow as possible. It really isn't as difficult as you may think. We had a very cold and snowy winter here last year. I ran almost every day and I think I only resorted to the treadmill a half dozen or so times and that is due to blizzard conditions or extremely icy roads.

ETA: I do not have trail shoes. I run in my regular road shoes. I have debated investing in Yak Trax, but I really have not had the need, so I have not yet bought them.

I do the same thing. I find places where I can run on the road relatively safely, so quieter subdivisions or areas with wider roads. I also live near a secondary highway where they plow the shoulders really wide so I can usually run there. And since it's a highway, it is often cleared quickly.
I bought things to put on my sneakers but hardly ever wear them. I don't think I wore them last year and it was a bad winter. I wear my regular ones.
The trick is learning how to dress. Every year it takes me a few runs to get it figured out again.