Five Tips for Winter Running

Byangela @marathonsandmotivation
14 Comments

Happy Friday, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I had a very nice and relaxing day. It was the first time in years that I had not hosted the big day, so it was fun to kick back, relax, and take a post turkey nap! My family and I made a 500 mile road trip to visit family in Pennsylvania and we were fortunate to have good weather during our travels there. I knew my training plan was not doable while travelling, so I made a goal of getting my long run done and a few short ones if possible. Wednesday was the best day for the 9 miler, but it was cool and blustery out. I had to layer up and get in the right mind set to just do it! Of course, once I got started, I felt great. It was actually very enjoyable to run along the Susquehanna River and around my home town. As I was running, I started to think about the winter weather that would soon hit Maine and my best tips for training in the cold and snow. Check out these Five Tips for Winter Running.

Five Tips for Winter Running

1. Layer Up: If you are debating about your winter running weather attire, remember this rule of thumb, "it's better to be overdressed, than underdressed…Always." With this in mind, layers are best, as you can shed them as you warm up during your run. For example, a jacket you can tie around your waist after the first mile or two, but you can easily put back on if the wind picks up or you get cold. I also wear a running vest with deep pockets that I can tuck my hat and gloves into if I get too warm with them on, but they are within easy reach if I need them again.

 2. Choose Your Route Wisely: If there is snow on the ground or the conditions are gray with poor visibility, choose your route wisely. I like to run on roads with a shoulder that have been plowed or on trail paths where I do not have to worry about automobile traffic,

 3. Dress Brightly: I always like to dress brightly when running, but this is especially important in winter weather. Wear bright colors that are easily seen by people driving, especially if it is snowing or visibility may be poor.

 4. Pay Attention to Hydration: Even when it is cold out, we still perspire and need to replace electrolytes! If you are running long, make sure to continue to follow your hydration and nutrition plan.

Would you like to save this?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

5. Take it to the 'mill: I will admit that I have a love-hate relationship with the treadmill. It can be extremely painful and boring to run on, but without it, I would not be able to safely get in all my training during the winter. Times I take it to the 'mill: icy conditions, where I don't want to risk twisting an ankle, when visibility is very poor, or when the temperatures are extremely low ( I don't do under 15 degrees, unless it is a race!).

So Tell Me…

Do you enjoy running in the winter? How do you stay motivated to get out in the dark and cold weather? Are you a fan of the treadmill?

Thank you so much for stopping by! As always, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below. Enjoy your Holiday Weekend!!

 

 

More Running

14 Comments

  1. Great tips! I'm not a runner...nor a fan of cold weather lol. Which part of Pennsylvania were you visiting family? We live in Lititz, PA :-)
    Reply
  3. I think paying attention to hydration is so important for winter running. I often don't realize I'm dehydrated until it's too late whenever I run outside in the winter!
    Reply
  6. I'm just back from track, it was super icey on one of the bends so we had to take it carefully there! I don't do a great deal of treadmill running as I do prefer being outside, no matter how cold it is!
    Reply
  7. Happy Thanksgiving! I always have good intentions of running outside throughout the winter, but I live in Chicago and sometimes it's simply not safe. Layers, layers, and more layers when I do make my way outside.
    Reply
  8. I avoid the 'mill at all costs...but do have to fire it up if the weather is extreme, like sub-ZERO with wind or massive ice.
    Reply
  11. Since I live in Florida, running in winter is a bit different. This is actually our busiest season, because it's finally tolerable to be outside compared to the brutal heat and humidity of summer. We do have some cold days, where layering up is required, but we don't deal with snow or ice or the kind of poor visibility you have up north. It would be cool to experience that environment from time to time, but it's just not the norm.
    Reply
  14. I enjoy running in the winters. Cold weather and shorter days are no reason to stop me from running. Thanks for sharing these ideas.
    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *