It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.
Today’s Topic is: Ways to Keep Warm
Unfortunately, this topic is so relevant this year. We’ve had the coldest temps since I’ve started running.
Well, one way is to stay inside and run on the treadmill or indoor track but all runners know that it’s not the same as running on the road.
So here are my FIVE TIPS:
1. Run Loops
This way you can stop if you get too cold. You can also warm up in your car and then go out for another. It is dangerous to be outside for a very long time in sub-zero temps.
I ran 2 miles in one direction and then 2 miles in the other…then QUIT!
2. Cover your face.
It’s the only place that you can’t cover with clothes but I either wear a baklava or just tie my scarf backwards and pull it over my face.
3. Wear wool.
Wool seems warmer to me. I wear a wool hat, wool mittens and wool socks. They keep me pretty toasty.
4. Use Hand warmers and/or Toe Warmers.
I just put them in my mittens and they last for 10 hours (too bad I only run for 1 lol).
5. LAYERS Everywhere
Yes, layers on top. Layers on the bottom (I wear a skirt over my tights). I even wear gloves underneath my mittens.
So you don’t have to stay inside and hunker down when it gets cold. Just bundle up and GO OUTSIDE and RUN!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Running! How about you… have you been running outside in these frigid temps? Any other tips for staying warm?
My First 5K and More... 
I’m so grateful I did not commit to a spring marathon! I’ve definitely been running loops. When it’s crazy cold, getting too far from home just isn’t a great idea plus the roads aren’t very clear around here.
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Same here. I’m not a fan of winter running. But I stupidly signed up for a March half. Hope I can run more than 3 miles outside before then LOL
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The hand warmers have been a life saver for me this year!
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This is the first year that I absolutely needed them.
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Confession: I’ve never used hand warmers for running. I know they’re inexpensive, but I’m such a recycling dork…I hate tossing something away that still has life in it. Too bad they’re not battery-powered or had an on/off switch LOL
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I know what you mean. I HATE throwing them away but with temps below zero, they have saved my fingers.
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I love running with hand warmers!! They make ALL the difference!!
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Don’t they?
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Running loops is such a great idea!
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The only negative is the temptation to quit. When you run the whole distance, you have to run back to where you started.
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I love the hand and toe warmers. But the toe warmers are so warm that they were burning my feet! So I put them under my insoles. Works great!
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I just got a HUGE box of hand warmers from the warehouse store here. Too bad I’m not running… but I know I’ll use them in subsequent winters anyway. 🙂
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This winter has been extra bitter cold. I love the hand warmers!
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I have actually never used hand warmers. And my hands don’t usually bother me when running — I guess I do get warm there. Now, just running errands & clearing snow off the car — THEN my hands hurt. It reminds me of living in VT. One of the many things I hated about living in VT.
Layers make all the difference & wool is absolutely helpful.
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This is the first winter I’ve needed hand warmers. But then again I’ve run in sub-zero temps.
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When I want to get a run in and I know it’s going to be chilly or a bit windy I wear one of those gators around my neck and that really helps. Sometimes I even pull it over my nose.
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I need to buy some of those for this winter.
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I love your dedication because 2 degrees and I would have tapped out. Amazing determination
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Thanks. It’s going be colder than that tomorrow. Ugh!
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Great tips!
Frigid in Southern California is about 40 degrees so luckily I don’t have to worry too much
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Lucky you.
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I’ve found that using aquaphor or vaseline on your face helps protect your skin too. I don’t like wearing anything over my face unless it’s crazy cold (and then I usually choose to run inside), but using aquaphor on my face has protected me a few times.
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Great idea. It has unfortunately been crazy cold here.
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Running loops is such a great idea and so easy to do, too! I can use that when the heat and humidity crank up here.
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I have definitely been running loops here in Chiberia over the past couple of weeks. I went for an 8-mile run the other day, and I don’t think I was ever a mile away from home.
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Gah! That is SO cold. Hang in there! The thaw will come.
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I know but not soon enough.
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Great tips! I am glad it doesnt get super cold down here in Florida, I def dont miss it at all.
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I wouldn’t either.
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Hot Hands are lifesavers in the cold weather!!
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Yes. I used them in my race today!
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You are brave to be out running in this cold air! I’m a wimp and have been doing a lot of running on the treadmill lately. The cold and I don’t do well together.
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I don’t like the cold. But I like the treadmill less.
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