Running in -20 to -30 windchill

just another guy wrote:

This is fine weather for a treadmill run. To do otherwise would just display your blatant stupidity.

As a Michigander, I can't help but laugh at this response. Windchills in the -20s were commonplace during the previous two winters up here. I still managed to run outside everyday and never even noticed in being cold after the first 3-5 minutes of running. My training partner, running friends, and the 30-40 HS athletes that I coach all felt the same way. This has nothing to do with being "tough" and has everything to do with wearing proper attire. Here is what I wear for anything from -30 up to -10:

- 2 pairs socks

- 2 pairs underwear

- compression pants

- Heavy tights

- long sleeve compression shirt

- hoodie

- running jacket

- Under Armour facemask

- Stocking cap

- 2 pairs gloves

Usually, I need to unzip my jacket after a mile. Sometimes, I would even shed the jacket and double back to get it on the drive home. I have spent at least 20 hours running in windchills of -20 or under in the last few years and have never experienced anything even remotely close to frostbite. In fact, I never even experience discomfort beyond the first couple minutes. Anyone claiming otherwise either A) dresses like an idiot OR B) has no clue what they are talking about because they live in a warm climate

162430 wrote:

As a Michigander, I can't help but laugh at this response. Windchills in the -20s were commonplace during the previous two winters up here.

No they weren't.

well..... wrote:

Yeah. I lived in the upper midwest for a while, and that changed my definition of cold.

1, It's windchill, not air temperature. Find routes that are more protected from the wind. Don't run along the Charles. Pick a park with trees or other wind blocks.

2. Wear a balaclava to minimize exposed skin. Again, air temperature won't be very low, so you only need to protect against frostbite. You won't need to cover your mouth

3. Wear sunglasses to keep the wind out of your eyes

4. Wear a windblocking outer layer. If you're a guy, windbriefs are a must.

have a friend give you ride 10 miles straight into the wind and run with the wind at your back all the way home. then the actual temperature would be the temp you are running in, not the wind chill.

-20 isn't the end of the world, I will take that over treadmill any day of the week. just cover yourself up and run for no longer than 1h. it's not that bad. if you have a LR on tap, just split it.

A beard.

Zero Value Add wrote:

A beard.

+1

Nothing like icicles in your beard after a long run.

Run in a large multilevel parking garage. If you have access to one that is empty after normal working hours, it's a great way to avoid some if not most of the wind chill. You can make this a good hill workout too.

coach deez nuts wrote:

162430 wrote:

As a Michigander, I can't help but laugh at this response. Windchills in the -20s were commonplace during the previous two winters up here.

No they weren't.

Yeah, "commonplace" is overstating it. It was approxinately 7-10 mornings during each of the past two winters. My basic point is that between 2014-now, I have spent 20+ hrs running in these conditions with 0 negative effects.

Just an idea wrote:

Run in a large multilevel parking garage. If you have access to one that is empty after normal working hours, it's a great way to avoid some if not most of the wind chill. You can make this a good hill workout too.

Also good for snow and/or icy conditions.

162430 wrote:

coach deez nuts wrote:

No they weren't.

Yeah, "commonplace" is overstating it. It was approxinately 7-10 mornings during each of the past two winters. My basic point is that between 2014-now, I have spent 20+ hrs running in these conditions with 0 negative effects.

U da man !!!!

Boston wrote:

162430 wrote:

Yeah, "commonplace" is overstating it. It was approxinately 7-10 mornings during each of the past two winters. My basic point is that between 2014-now, I have spent 20+ hrs running in these conditions with 0 negative effects.

U da man !!!!

I know. Thanks for the recognition.

as others have noted, the key is blocking the wind. windproof pants, jacket and face protection. sunglasses. avoid exposed skin (put vasoline if there is any (e.g. near the eyes, etc.). I like to those big neckwarmers that pull up to your nose - great for warming up the air before you breath it in.

This one's easy. If there are life threatening wind chills from 4 PM Saturday to noon on Sunday, then run early on Saturday and late on Sunday. This isn't rocket science.

the problem isn't just dressing up, it's seeing the damn potholes and ice (and un-shoveled walks) with sunglasses on that may fog up if airflow isn't right with your face mask on. not a huge problem in rural areas with hard packed snow (and low to no traffic) roads, you lug up your shoes, dress in layers, and you'll be fine, city is different.

just go do a workout indoors. or, you take a couple days off (monday should be warmer). you won't lose any fitness from two days off and a missed workout (which won't be quality in those conditions anyways).

Rocket scientist wrote:

This one's easy. If there are life threatening wind chills from 4 PM Saturday to noon on Sunday, then run early on Saturday and late on Sunday. This isn't rocket science.

Due to my schedule I will be running early morning Sunday.

well... and cgray gave good advice. Dress appropriately. Have a plan B like the treadmill if you try it and can't.

Through five Minnesota winters this is how I ran without a treadmill. I wasn't alone, often there would be five to ten of us even at 5AM.

1) First ten minutes (approximately) were always with the wind at your back while the body warms up.

2) Right before you begin sweating, which will be close to that ten minutes, you then turn into the wind and run half the distance into the wind.

3) Finish the last half of the run with the wind at your back as you will probably be sweating and will want to get indoors.

4) Go immediately to a mirror before taking off the face mask / balaclava and see how cool you look with eyebrows and eye lashes frozen over. The balaclava will probably also be frozen stiff.

The biggest problem may be footing so be agile.

PS Layers of socks over the hands were better than gloves or mittens for me because fingers and thumbs had skin to skin contact.

A funny discussion, really. Skiers train in the cold all the time and it doesn't seem to be an issue to be out in the cold for them. No treadmill for cold days. Not so different being out x-country skiing or running. As others have written, layering is key both to stay warm and yet avoid getting too warm.

I wonder about all of the great runners that once came out of, for example, New England (think Joan Benoit) or Scandinavia for that matter (the flying Finns), who seemed to manage to train to world-class level despite living and training in cold climates. They ran times that few from western countries can match today still.

Yes, I live in a real winter climate with snow 3-5 months, typically with brief periods hitting -20F. Winter is a great base building season.

I live in western Canada and train outdoors year round. I will go inside on fast work-out days(Tempos/intervals, but not long runs) when the weather prohibits me from hitting something close to the right pace range for a run (colder than 5degF excluding windchill) The main factor for this is having to breathe through a facemask because it's very similar to breathing through a straw.

I don't factor in windspeed when I run during winter. I just take the air temperature. Windchill doesn't do crap if you've got a few layers on you.

For -30F, I'd wear:

2 pairs of socks

2 pairs of pants.

2 pairs of underwear

Long sleeve winter tech shirt

Thick long sleeve insulating layer

Running jacket

2-3 pairs of gloves/mitts (hands are the worst in the cold)

Facemask

Toque

No glasses or anything - they just fog up. Goggles sometimes.

Ice grippy attachments for your runners.

If you're bring fluids for a longer run, fill your bottles with hot water, and put them in a cooler in your car, or just inside your door. My experience has been water will freeze in about 6 miles even if you used an insulating bottle.

Try to run during the warmest part of the day (2-5PM ish), and if the sun is shining, that will warm you up several degrees more than if it were cloudy. It's a good excuse to sleep in on weekends.

Running can add to windchill if you're moving in the opposite direction of the wind so it's gonna be even worse for you...