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You are here: Home / cold / Tips for running outside in the winter

Tips for running outside in the winter

November 3, 2014 by MCM Mama 36 Comments

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.

tips-winter-running

 

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(affiliate link) over a half zip.  This offers me two zippers that I can pull up and down as the need dictates (and trust me, I’m constantly adjusting).

photo(199)

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.

riverboat-bondi-band

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.

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Comments

  1. Stacey says

    November 4, 2014 at 4:58 am

    I like the tip about warming up inside–I’ll definitely have to keep that in mind this winter!
    Stacey recently posted…TotR: Cold Weather RunningMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 4, 2014 at 9:17 pm

      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.

      Reply
  2. Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says

    November 4, 2014 at 7:43 am

    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.
    Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine recently posted…Training FlashbacksMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 4, 2014 at 9:16 pm

      I did a lot of loops of my neighborhood. I’m kind of over seeing the same streets over and over again.

      Reply
  3. RFC says

    November 4, 2014 at 8:04 am

    What a fun linkup! I hate the cold, HATE IT! So I tend to run on treadmills, hence the link I shared, haha!
    RFC recently posted…10 Pros and Cons of Treadmill RunningMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 4, 2014 at 9:16 pm

      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…)

      Reply
  4. Smitha @ FauxRunner says

    November 4, 2014 at 8:12 am

    Good tips!! My best one – change out of cold wet clothes immediately!!
    Smitha @ FauxRunner recently posted…Cold Weather Running – Just Do ItMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 4, 2014 at 9:15 pm

      Ooh, yes! Totally need to do that!

      Reply
  5. Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says

    November 4, 2014 at 8:15 am

    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!
    Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Tuesdays on the Run: Cold Weather RunningMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 4, 2014 at 9:15 pm

      I hope I’m wrong too. I don’t mind cold, but if I really wanted to freeze, I’d move back to Wisconsin.

      Reply
  6. Lesley says

    November 4, 2014 at 8:57 am

    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.
    Lesley recently posted…Cold Weather RunningMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 4, 2014 at 9:04 pm

      Ha. Yes!

      Reply
  7. Chaitali says

    November 4, 2014 at 9:12 am

    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!
    Chaitali recently posted…Armpocket review and give away!My Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 4, 2014 at 9:04 pm

      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.

      Reply
  8. Patty @ Reach Your Peak says

    November 4, 2014 at 10:29 am

    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!!
    Patty @ Reach Your Peak recently posted…Tips For Running UphillMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 4, 2014 at 9:03 pm

      I love my Yaktrax – they are awesome when it’s slippery. I’ll run in just about any weather.

      Reply
  9. Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says

    November 4, 2014 at 10:31 am

    These are great tips and a reminder to prepare for what’s to come! Yikes!
    Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Cold weather running=beast runningMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 4, 2014 at 9:02 pm

      I know – I’m fine with fall weather staying…

      Reply
  10. Lacey@fairytalesandfitness says

    November 4, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    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.
    Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…The Race Shirts That Will Keep You Warm ( and a Discount Code)My Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 4, 2014 at 9:02 pm

      I find it hard at the beginning of winter, but by spring, I’ll run in just about any temp.

      Reply
  11. Char says

    November 4, 2014 at 4:45 pm

    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.
    Char recently posted…One Of THOSE RunsMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 4, 2014 at 9:01 pm

      I can’t imagine never being cold. The thought is just beyond me.

      Reply
  12. April @ RunTheGreatWideSomewhere says

    November 4, 2014 at 7:58 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 4, 2014 at 9:01 pm

      I couldn’t survive the summer there…

      Reply
  13. Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says

    November 4, 2014 at 8:04 pm

    I hate running in the winter. If it’s under 35 degrees you can find me on the treadmill at the gym 🙂
    Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Intro to Yin Yoga: Runner’s Recovery posesMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 4, 2014 at 9:00 pm

      35 is my perfect temp. I’m good outside until single digits if the wind isn’t too bad. I hate wind.

      Reply
  14. Deborah Brooks says

    November 4, 2014 at 8:39 pm

    An escape plan sounds like a great idea-where should we go?
    Deborah Brooks recently posted…Warm Fall Vegetable Salad w Lemon DressingMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 4, 2014 at 9:00 pm

      Ha! Love it.

      Reply
  15. Katie@Run Wild in Alaska says

    November 5, 2014 at 2:30 am

    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!
    Katie@Run Wild in Alaska recently posted…Abstainers versus ModeratorsMy Profile

    Reply
  16. Coco says

    November 5, 2014 at 7:49 am

    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.
    Coco recently posted…How To Keep Warm Running In Cold WeatherMy Profile

    Reply
  17. Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

    November 5, 2014 at 10:59 am

    the other thing i would add is handwarmers in the coldest weather. they are amazing and a must have for sub-freezing temps!
    Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…Butternut Squash and Sausage Frittata RecipeMy Profile

    Reply
  18. Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says

    November 5, 2014 at 5:25 pm

    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.
    Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Cryofreeze: My Real-Life Frozen + WIAWMy Profile

    Reply
  19. Amanda H says

    November 5, 2014 at 11:21 pm

    Great tips! Super impressed that you run outside in such challenging conditions! Makes me glad I moved to California 🙂 #wowlinkup
    Amanda H recently posted…I’m A City Fit Girls Ambassador!My Profile

    Reply
  20. Catherine | Fit Armadillo says

    November 7, 2014 at 2:18 am

    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
    Catherine | Fit Armadillo recently posted…Can’t Grow a Movember Mustache? Celebrate MOVEember!My Profile

    Reply
  21. Diatta @ Femme Fitale Fit Club says

    November 8, 2014 at 1:29 pm

    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
    Diatta @ Femme Fitale Fit Club recently posted…#FitnessFriday – Turn UpMy Profile

    Reply
  22. Heather @ Divas Run for Bling says

    November 9, 2014 at 3:29 pm

    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
    Heather @ Divas Run for Bling recently posted…16 Water: Naturally Purified Through Volcanic BedrockMy Profile

    Reply
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Who is MCM Mama?
A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath, and has a minor addiction to the Marine Corps Marathon.

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