Running in the winter. Who in the world would consider doing that?! Well…I would! And maybe some of you like to get fresh air even when it’s only 20 degrees outside.
This is a great thing to do, but you have to be careful. Running in the cold can be dangerous if you don’t have the right clothes on and don’t follow some practical advice.
First off, check the temperature outside. This seems simple, but I have been running before thinking I would be plenty warm, but in reality I never even checked the temp on my phone: I just looked outside. Always check the temperature before running so that you can make sure you are wearing the right attire.
Along with this, don’t just dive right in to a 10k in the winter. It will take your lungs time to get used to running in the new temperature so take it slow and work up until you can run your normal speed and distance without any problems.
Third, make sure that you have the right amount of clothes on. I don’t know the specific items that you should have at what temperature, but I do know this: layers. Always have layers. That way if it is cold, you are fine! But if you start to feel a little warm later (maybe the day starts to warm up) you can always take off a jacket and tie it around your waist.
Fourth, don’t forget the little things. Gloves are a key item, and keep them on even if they start to feel warm. Sweaty hands against cold wind is no fun, so keep your gloves on. Make sure your ears are covered too; I always forgot this important piece of gear until I almost froze my ears one day…never will I forget a good sports headband again.
And last but not least, make sure that your shoes are of good quality. They should have good traction to fight against the ice and snow, they should be warm to help with the cold, and they should be water proof or water resistant (cold, wet feet during a run can really be a pain…and painful!).
Well, those are my tips 🙂 Did I miss anything? Anything you liked or anything you would add? Comment below!
-Sarah
thefitlife2016 
I like the cold too, But it’s the icy patches that concern me most when running outside. Sometimes you can’t even see them, like when running in the early morning.
LikeLike
That is very true! It scares me as well when it’s really icy out. I would suggest staying on paths that are dirt or gravel (usually those don’t get too icy, especially if they are in a wooded area) or even on popular sidewalks because those are the first to get salted. And when in doubt, if it’s just too icy, go to a gym where there is a treadmill or an indoor track at a rec center. Anyway that you can be safe and still get your run in is the best option 🙂 – Sarah
LikeLike
Or I could just eat Cheetos on the couch.
LikeLike
Well, considering this blog is “The Fit Life,” I wouldn’t suggest that, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do! haha 🙂
LikeLike