Any Winter Runners?

quitmakingexcuses
quitmakingexcuses Posts: 906 Member
edited October 3 in Fitness and Exercise
As we all know, October has come and where I live, that means snow is only about a month away. I'm wondering if anyone runs during winter months (and I'm talking Alaskan winter months, not Florida winter :tongue: ) How do you go about it? It gets icy and can get below 0 degrees.

In short - any tips for winter running?

Replies

  • jeffrodgers1
    jeffrodgers1 Posts: 991 Member
    Yup... pretty much run year round from 100 degrees Fahrenheit all the way to minus 40. Live in Winnipeg, its a guarantee that I'll experience most types of extreme weather (except Tsunami's and Hurricanes)

    Winter here usually lasts from late November to mid March. The harsh months are January and February.
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    Have you ever been snowshoeing? It's great fun and a fabulous workout. They make snowshoes for racers/runners that will let you keep your intensity up. (although just *walking* in snowshoes is a lot harder than walking on a road or trail)

    If you want to run on packed or icy surfaces, there's no need to use snowshoes. Just make a few modifications to your gear - get something like YakTrax or STABLicers. They slip right on over the sole of your shoes and give you excellent traction.

    Oh... and add a headlamp to your gear. It's so dark in the winter and a lamp helps you see, and makes you more visible.
  • lawtechie
    lawtechie Posts: 708 Member
    Not one now but perhaps next year. Check out this link for tips.

    http://www.active.com/running/Articles/Winter-Running-Tips.htm
  • UrbanRunner81
    UrbanRunner81 Posts: 1,207 Member
    I run year round. It is pretty cold here in Pittsburgh. Gosh it is only 40 out and rainy today when I went running.... big change from the 78 degree weather I had last Sunday.

    I guess tips layer up! But don't go too crazy. I find usually tights are good enough for my legs because they warm up fast. For tops, I wear long sleeve wick away layer, a lightweight jacket most days, maybe a fleece over that if it is super cold. A fleece hat, sport wool socks and some kind of gloves.
    Oh this year I am getting these: http://www.yaktrax.com/pro
  • quitmakingexcuses
    quitmakingexcuses Posts: 906 Member
    Those are all awesome ideas. Thanks everyone, looks like I've got a new goal this winter. And snow-shoeing sounds awesome! :)
  • clioandboy
    clioandboy Posts: 963 Member
    Yak trax for your running shoes, layers of clothing lots of warming up and stretching. And enjoy! I live in mountainous France we have severe winters here but I do manage to get out regularly and in the winter visibility tends to be exceptional so I see mont blanc in the distance fabulous. I prefer winter running to overheating in summer!!!!
  • quitmakingexcuses
    quitmakingexcuses Posts: 906 Member
    Yak trax for your running shoes, layers of clothing lots of warming up and stretching. And enjoy! I live in mountainous France we have severe winters here but I do manage to get out regularly and in the winter visibility tends to be exceptional so I see mont blanc in the distance fabulous. I prefer winter running to overheating in summer!!!!

    I have always wanted to go to France!! My boyfriend and I are going on a Euro trip next year and France is my #1. Running in the mountains would be amazing! :)
  • gbelltx
    gbelltx Posts: 142
    Wish I could help. I live in south texas and winter is when it gets below 70.
  • silkysly
    silkysly Posts: 701 Member
    I'm a tready runner in the winter. Brr to the Grr!!!
  • themyriadthings
    themyriadthings Posts: 225 Member
    Alberta runner here. I find the shoe spikes work really well, better than yak trax because they can also handle ice, not just snow. It gets down to -40C here, although I don't run outside when it goes below about -20C. As long as my ears, fingers and feet are warm enough, I'm fine! I'm hoping to try the running snowshoes this winter as well - I've heard good things about them!
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