It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.
I must say that I HATE the cold. I much prefer running in the heat but living in the Northeast, the cold arrives too soon and lasts too long. And although, it’s ONLY December 11 (and not even officially winter) …it’s COLD!!
I think that about sums things up.
So here are my top tips to make it through running in the winter:
1. Layers keep you warm but remember not to dress too warmly. If it is 20 degrees, dress for 40. The bottom layer should be breathable. You will sweat no matter how cold it is. My middle layer is usually a fleece vest and for the outside layer, I wear a windbreaker or light jacket.
The infographic below is very helpful:
or use this tool that will suggest what to wear, based on the info you input – http://www.runnersworld.com/what-to-wear
2. But wear enough to stay warm. I always wear tights with a skirt over them (keeps my butt warm). I wear wool socks, gloves/mittens and a beanie. My head, hands and feet are what gets cold first.
if you are properly dressed, you can smile in the cold.
3. If you run when it is dark (yes it gets dark so early), wear light colors, carry a flashlight or wear a head lamp and run where there are lights.
I prefer knuckle lights
4. If it is snowing, wear Yak Trax or put screws in your shoe bottoms, go slower and watch for icy patches.
love my Yaks but always hope I never have to wear them
5. Don’t worry about fashion.
I usually care what I wear in the warmer months. But in the winter, not so much. I try not to spend much money on winter running clothes. I wear old race shirts and vests and jackets from Target. I buy gloves at Dollar Store. I use $1 cut off knee socks as arm warmers.
The important thing is to just get out and RUN! And talk your friends into doing the same. Misery loves company LOL.
Remember:
Happy Running! Do you like running during the cold weather months? Any other tips? Has it already gotten cold where you live?
My First 5K and More... 
Although I’m not super fond of running in Winter, I’d much rather run when it’s cold (well, within reason) than when it’s hot!
I love wool for winter (yes, even running — and hiking, too). It dries so quickly!
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That’s great because we have such a long cold season!! And I prefer the heat which is not too often.
I think only socks are what I have in wool. Lots of layers is what works best for me. You can’t layer socks.
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I am not a fan of winter. I hate that 4-letter S-word!!! (snow) I love your cute beanies. Right now I am wearing a hat I won in a race over 10 years ago. It’s time for something new – something cuter like the one you are wearing with the pom-pom. Thanks for the good info!
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I’ve gotten quite a few beanie from races and they seem to fit the best.
I love to look at snow but not run in it!!
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I actually much prefer to run in the cold! I forgot how hard it is to run in the heat. Not complaining at all but it’s harder for me to move in humidity.
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Humidity is hard but I hate wearing ALL those clothes. So jealous of you right now!!
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It hasn’t got too cold here yet, but I always dress way too warm! I have a hard time getting out the door when it is cold and I forget that I will heat up very quickly!
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Getting out the door is my biggest problem esp if I am running alone which is most of time.
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I much prefer running in the heat as well. The hotter the better. I seem to always bundle up too much in the winter bc I like to be comfortable when I start but forgetting that you quickly warm up while running.
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Exactly. Always on my part.
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I detest running in cold weather. In the winter I’ll often wait until the warmest part of the day to run. On that chart, if it’s <20F, there's no way I would choose to run in that! I've run when it's been around freezing and it wasn't terrible but again, not something I would choose (I was in Ohio visiting relatives).
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That’s why I rarely run before work – too cold!! Of course, after work, it’s too dark ugh! The curse of the working runner.
I have run when it’s below zero but rarely and only if I am training for a big race and need to do a long run!
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Can you recommend any good running gloves? I have yet to find any where my fingers aren’t popsicles by the time I get home.
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Mittens!!! They work best.
Or two pairs of light gloves.
My hands get cold too.
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^^Same question as Wendy on gloves. I really love running in moderate cold. But if it’s below 30, that’s too much of a good thing, so I’m probably going to opt inside. I also won’t run in the dark or if there is ice so…treadmill to the rescue.
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If I didn’t run under 30, I wouldn’t be running all winter. It’s dark when I finish work. I won’t run on ice though. And I really hate the treadmill.
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