Today’s topic for Tuesdays on the Run is cold weather running. Since both Patty and April are from warmer locations, I can’t wait to see what they write LOL. I, on the other hand, am a Wisconsin girl at heart and refuse to embrace my inner southerner. I am totally going to ignore the fact that I’ve lived in the south for nearly 30 years. (Seriously? How did that happen?)
I’ve written about how to keep active in the winter before, but we are being told that we have another Polar Vortex winter heading our way, so here we go again. Last winter was wicked cold, like “living in the north” cold, and yet, I managed to run a lot of my runs outside. So, here are my best tips for running outside in the winter on cold, cold days.
1.Warm up inside. When it’s cold outside, you are likely to want to wear more clothing than you should. Too much clothing = too much sweat = getting really damp. Being damp is not a good thing if the sun goes behind a cloud or your turn into the wind. So, you should dress as if the weather is about 20 degrees warmer than it is. But who wants to start running when they are already shivering??? A handful of burpees, a few mountain climbers, or a few trips up and down your interior steps will raise your heart rate and warm you up and that first mile of a winter run will be a lot more pleasant.
2. Zippers are your friends. Even if you dress appropriately, you will find that wind and clouds can greatly affect how warm you feel on the run. In the coldest weather, I wear a zip up jacket from Sugoi
3. Wear layers on your hands and invest in good socks. Personally, I very seldom need more than a single pair of gloves and I very seldom make it through an entire run with gloves on. For some reason, my normally very cold hands get hot on the run. Some people swear by mittens because it keeps your hand all together. For your feet, I’m a huge fan of Smartwool PhD socks
(affiliate link). I ran in some seriously cold weather last winter and my feet were never cold. (I’ve also had friends cover their shoes with duct tape to cut down the breeze, but I’ve never tried it.)
4. Wear a hat or some other form of head covering. If your head is warm, the rest of your body will stay warmer. I have a couple of winter hats, but I also run with a baseball cap with a Bondi Band. It’s a bit lighter, so as I heat up, I don’t end up too warm, plus it’s easy to uncover my ears.
5. Have an escape plan. This is perhaps the most important tip I can give you. When it’s cold outside, it often doesn’t take much for the weather to go from a really cold run to a dangerous run. Know where you can stop and warm up. Have a cell phone to call for a ride home. Or run near your car or house. Hypothermia is no joke. Frostbite is painful. You don’t want to go there.
I’m a firm believer that with the right clothes and the right preparation that it is possible to run outside for the majority of the winter. As one of my friends says regularly, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices. And when it’s below freezing? Check out these tips for super cold runs.
[inlinkz_linkup id=458965 mode=1]
I like the tip about warming up inside–I’ll definitely have to keep that in mind this winter!
It really helps me on those days when I’m having a hard time getting motivated to go outside in the cold, especially if I’m already cold inside the house.
These are great tips, although I am really hoping we don’t have another polar vortex winter! I ran through most of the weather last winter but when the wind chill was -15 I took it inside. I also planned my runs close to my gym so I could get there easily if I needed to, and never went too far from home.
I did a lot of loops of my neighborhood. I’m kind of over seeing the same streets over and over again.
What a fun linkup! I hate the cold, HATE IT! So I tend to run on treadmills, hence the link I shared, haha!
I only run on the treadmill when I absolutely have to. (And mine is dying, so I’m trying to make it last at this point…)
Good tips!! My best one – change out of cold wet clothes immediately!!
Ooh, yes! Totally need to do that!
Great advice! Warming up can be tough when you just don’t want to go outside! An an escape plan is so essential. I really hope you’re wrong about another Polar Vortex…I can’t take another one!
I hope I’m wrong too. I don’t mind cold, but if I really wanted to freeze, I’d move back to Wisconsin.
I’ve lived in the south for almost 6 years and I’m still stubborn about some things. I see girls in UGGs in September and there’s no way I’m bringing mine out until it’s below freezing.
Ha. Yes!
Great tips! The zippers really do help and I was surprised at how much of a difference it makes to zip up or down a bit. I joined a training group last winter and I’m doing it again because that was often the only thing that got me out the door for those runs in the cold!
With the big buildings around here, I end up running into wind tunnels and need to zip up, but as soon as I turn a corner I’m too hot. I’ve pretty much replaced all of my long sleeve shirts with half zips.
I love the warming up inside tip. I try to run up and down my stairs a few times before heading out. I do want to buy yaktraks for this winter though. and maybe a running vest of some sort? I resolve to run more this winter even if it’s cold!!
I love my Yaktrax – they are awesome when it’s slippery. I’ll run in just about any weather.
These are great tips and a reminder to prepare for what’s to come! Yikes!
I know – I’m fine with fall weather staying…
Great tips. I am such a wimp when It comes to running in the cold. As long as I am dressed properly I should be good. I am going to try and run more outside this winter.
I find it hard at the beginning of winter, but by spring, I’ll run in just about any temp.
I have absolutely no idea what it would be like to run in a cold climate. Last winter I wore a long-sleeve top twice – and only because it was new and really cute. I could easily have gone the whole winter in short sleeves. And as for gloves – they didn’t even make it on to my hands.
I can’t imagine never being cold. The thought is just beyond me.
Great tips! I actually get HIVES when I run if the temps drop below 50 degrees! It is some kind of allergy triggered by cold plus exercise, weird. Luckily I do live in Florida so it doesn’t happen very often that the highs don’t break 50. I guess our winters are when we get payback for slogging through the tropical heat of the summer!
I couldn’t survive the summer there…
I hate running in the winter. If it’s under 35 degrees you can find me on the treadmill at the gym 🙂
35 is my perfect temp. I’m good outside until single digits if the wind isn’t too bad. I hate wind.
An escape plan sounds like a great idea-where should we go?
Ha! Love it.
Just about to start running outside for the first time in my 5 Alaskan winters – eek! Thanks for the tips! Pinning this link-up to come back and read them all later!
Gosh, I’d never thought to warm up inside – great idea! These days I usually walk my dog before I run, so I get warmed up doing that.
the other thing i would add is handwarmers in the coldest weather. they are amazing and a must have for sub-freezing temps!
You are right on with these – especially the gloves and socks! If I can keep my fingers and toes warm, I’m a happy girl.
Great tips! Super impressed that you run outside in such challenging conditions! Makes me glad I moved to California 🙂 #wowlinkup
SUCH great advice for winter running! I sprained my ankle last winter running in winter weather for the first time in a few years. It’s easy to forget these tips even when you should know better! I’m glad to have the reminder as I’ll be running up north again this winter and don’t plan on any injuries 🙂 #wowlinkup
Last year I made the silly mistake to run while it was snowing. Wrong answer. The side walks and street started piling up very quickly and it became slippery and then with the wind blowing the snow – very hard to see. Never again. If it is too cold to run outside I will force…yes FORCE myself to run on this treadmill I bought last year because I am NOT gaining Winter weight. Refuse! Great post as always. #wowlinkup
Great tips. I love the warming up inside. Oh and covering the hands and feet. I find those are the most important things for me to keep warm…they get so cold so easily #wowlinkup