Best winter running tips... what's yours?

Hopi wrote:

Nano spike pull-ons. These will beat even black ice. I've run on glazed ice and, while not terribly pleasant, is at least possible.

Thanks for the suggestion. I was planning to use the xc spikes if we get ice here, but I think this is a much better alternative.

Don’t over dress.

Wind is always my nemesis in the winter.

My awesome trophy wife drives me out so I can run point to point with the wind behind me.

I am an african, I have been living in Canada (Quebec) more than 20years now! I always ran outdoors even in winter..,I don't get what you fussing about...you guys are so weak ;)

I just finished a 12km tempo run and it's 12degrees (Farhneit)...it's warm actually! Sometimes it goes down -4 clothing is key!

Be sure to run on the coldest, windiest day of the winter. Then you will know that every day after that will be more pleasant.

xbcnxnc wrote:

Plan for the wind. Start your run into the wind if you are in an open area. If you are in a sheltered area, try to change direction often so you never get too cold or begin to sweat.

Great advice! I know someone who would ride a train/bus into the wind and run home with the wind at their back to avoid the wind all together.

Also... Socks as gloves, tuck in your shirts, and double up on underwear.

ClaytonHammer wrote:

Angelo Mysterioso wrote:

There is no such thing as bad weather.

Only bad clothing.

My former coworker said the same thing. Then he slipped on black ice. Still hasn't run 11 months later.

There is no such thing as black ice. All ice is clear.

Pascal wrote:

Don't overdress!

This^

If you are comfortable when you step out the door, then you need to shed a layer or two.

Yaktrax

A godsend

Living in Southern California

coachkritter wrote:

Be sure to run on the coldest, windiest day of the winter. Then you will know that every day after that will be more pleasant.

This is true....if unhelpful. I start dreading it getting cold in early Sept. When the bitter-est cold finally arrives, I am a LITTLE happy when I note that it won't get much/any worse.

I've lived in cold and snowy areas the vast majority of my life, and have run outside year-round. Everyone has different sensitivities - and levels of HONESTY about what bothers them, especially online, of course - but don't think that you're missing anything if you don't enjoy winter running. And feel free to dismiss the largely-BS/smarty pants comments about perfect dressing.

First off, if it's windy (and you're not running one direction all run), or the weather changes during the run, or you're doing anything that involves less and more effort through the run, or if you just guessed wrong about the exact conditions and/or just screwed up on what you wore (easy to do at least a few times a winter)........there is very often no such thing as perfect dressing.

Moreover, even on a perfectly-dressed run, if it's cold - and especially if you add dark - it can still simply suck to be out there. Yeah, you dressed right, but......it's cold and dark and 8pm on a work night (but feels like 11 !) and you just want to be inside !

The vast majority of my winter runs (especially at night during the work week) are motivated by nothing other than not wanting to be in bad shape in the spring !!

Instead of doing core work to warm up before going out to run, just sit in a warm bathtub for 20 minutes, just to the point where you feel you are going to break a sweat. Then get out and immediately dress in the appropriate clothing for the day. Blast off out the door and you won't have that cold first mile before you finally warm up and start sweating.