Making Winter Running Less Terrible

We are in the heart of winter.  At this point, we’ve experienced snow, ice, and bone-chilling cold.  Those first runs when the temperatures dropped shocked the system.  My arms and fingers went numb, my lungs ached.

I signed up for a 5K in Maine over Thanksgiving, thinking that merely wearing a few layers would make everything okay.  While my body managed just fine, my lungs were so upset with me!  For hours after, they felt like I had spent the night in a bar back in the days when people were still allowed to smoke indoors.

Over the past weeks, I’ve figured out a few ways to run in the winter without hating every moment.  I am by no means an expert, but here are a few of my insights:

Layers

I looked at getting a pair of Polartec running tights. Because I could not bring myself to spend that much money on pants, I began wearing my favorite Athleta running tights with a pair of sweatpants over them.  This worked perfectly! My legs have never been cold on a run! I’m so glad I tried this before spending a lot of money on pants I wouldn’t even wear all the time.

I bought a cheap Aeropostale vest before the 5K in Maine. Once I started sweating, it felt awkward. For Christmas, my sister bought me a nicer Columbia vest designed for working out in the cold.  I love this one!  I’m also spoiled with the pockets.  I can put my water bottle in one pocket and my phone in the other.  I will need to think about a way of carrying items when the weather warms up and I am not wearing layers.

Wearing two pairs of pants, two long tops, and the vest makes running in the cold manageable.  It was 15 degrees when we started yesterday morning.  Once we got going, many of us were just fine.  I grew warm enough to need to my hair up.

Knowing Your Roads

I tried to run around my neighborhood a few times while there was still snow on the ground but the temperatures were warmer.  This proved difficult because the sidewalks around the airport were not shoveled, forcing walkers into the main road.  The Boulevard in Providence is always well-shoved.  Because there is a bike lane, there is plenty of room for everyone, even if cars are parked along the road.  Knowing where I can safely run and stay dry makes winter running easier.  This weekend, I decided to take advantage of warmer weather and go for a quick run before taking Liam to a birthday party.  Because one of the backroads near my house was flooded due to rain and melting snow, I had to turn around and run the long way home.

Cold Weather Accessories

Mike needed a face mask while working outside during a frigid spell.  The only store around who still had them in stock was Lululemon. While there, I picked up a face mask for myself, headband-style ear warmers, and tech gloves.  Their tech gloves are the only ones I’ve tried that actually work on my phone.  I tried to find the links but, because they were on clearance, they’re no longer on the site.  The ear warmers are great for runs in milder cool weather.  My head gets too warm while running in a heavy winter hat.  The Lululemon ear warmers even have a slot to pull through your ponytail.

Not All Cold Weather is Equal

One of my better winter runs of the year happened during 17 cold.  However, there was no wind and it just began lightly snowing.  Because of the increased humidity, the cold seemed kinder.  Yesterday’s run brought the same temperature, but dry air and a sharp wind made it feel much colder.

Audiobooks

This isn’t really a cold weather tip.  My Spotify running playlists were growing old and I was too lazy to update it.  A few friends mentioned they enjoy Audible.  I borrow books on CD to enjoy during my commute but haven’t tried them during runs.  Again, I am cheap and wanted to avoid buying an Audible subscription.  Overdrive, an app available through your local library offers the same service for free.  I did find that a lot of popular books are unavailable.  I put a holds on a few books from the Goodreads playlist in the hope that they will become available as I finish the first book I borrowed.  I set out Thursday with a book and was finally able to run farther! I ran four and a half miles, my longest solo run!

Running with Friends

This is another tip that applies to all types of weather, but especially helps during the winter. Yesterday, I met up with a few of my BFG friends for a morning run. If I wasn’t looking forward to seeing people I love, I would’ve stayed in my warm bed a little longer, then made a big breakfast. Running in the cold was much less painful while catching up with friends. I am beyond grateful for my running buddies!

My New Trainer Journal

I am a planner.  Last week, I ordered a journal to track my half-marathon training progress.  I enjoyed charting my runs and other workouts.  I’m looking forward to seeing growth!