Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup. Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!) They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!
This week, the theme is Cold Weather Running Tips.
It’s starting to get cold. (In fact, there was a dusting of snow on the ground when I got up today.) I know it’s going to get worse. So there are decisions to be made:
that’s a fake smile. I hate cold weather!
1. Run in the morning. It is may be colder in the morning but it is lighter outside. I try to drag myself out of bed and run in my neighborhood before I go to work. You will definitely wake up when there’s a chill in the air.
there are lights in the park this time of year
2. If you run in the evening, run where there is light. That being said, it is warmer after work but it is already dark when I leave. So I always run where there are lights. That’s means that my neighborhood, the bike trails and the rail trail are OUT 😦 I don’t have a head lamp and even if I did, I prefer to run where there are street lights. So I choose to run near work or in the town where I live when I run after work.
iPad & water are my 2 necessities on the mill.
3. When conditions are bad, use the treadmill. When it is raining, snowing or too icy, I run on the treadmill (even though I hate it.) I use the one at work or at my “free” gym.
4. Invest in winter running clothes.
- Layers are important – coolmax breathable shirt, fleece vest, windbreaker (I try to wear light, bright colors in the evening)
- Tights (I usually wear a skirt or shorts over them – I am self-conscious about my thighs & I feel warmer)
- Gloves (I wear cheap light ones until it gets very cold, then I wear thermal ones.)
- Smartwool socks
- Hat or headband
You don’t have to spend a lot of money. I buy most of mine at Target.
5. Wear YakTrax if there is snow on the ground. You won’t slip or slide.
they really work on the snow.
No matter what the weather, you still have to go out there and RUN!
Happy Running! Any other tips for running in the colder weather?
My First 5K and More... 
I do not like the treadmill either! It bothers my Achilles. But, sometimes it is a necessary evil.
LikeLike
My favorite tip for cold weather running is to wear more cushioned running shoes, because cold temps stiffen up running shoe materials, which is harder on the feet. I try to do everything I can to avoid injury!
I have never used YakTrax. Do they completely change your gait? I’m considering trying them when I visit the mountains over the holidays. I usually just go to the gym there to run on the treadmill, but I’d like to try running in the snow.
LikeLike
Good idea about the shoes.
I don’t think so but I don’t wear them for long runs and I’ve only done a 5k with them. I use them for extreme conditions since I hate the treadmill.
LikeLike
Great tips! There’s no shame in running the treadmill on a rough snowy day!
LikeLike
Your comic strip is funny:) I guess some peow are like that. But I can’t say I am one of them. I grab my ipad like you and get on the treadmill. Makes the time go by fast.
LikeLike
I love me some smartwool! I rock smartwool base layers and their socks are on my list to get this winter, such great gear for the winter!
LikeLike