Navigating winter’s gauntlet of snow, ice and negative wind chills can be daunting for even the most devoted runners. But shorter days and frigid temps are no reason to put your workout plans on hold until spring. Follow these five tips, and you’ll plow right through the remainder of the cold weather running season.
Layer up: Start with a synthetic base layer to wick sweat away from skin and, depending on the conditions, add an insulating mid-layer and a waterproof outer layer. This not only helps trap air to keep you warmer, but it also gives you options for fending off a variety of elements.
Don’t overdress: To avoid overheating and excessive sweating, dress as if it’s 20 degrees warmer than the current temperature. You should feel chilled when you walk out the door, but a few minutes into the run, your body temperature will rise naturally and make up the difference.
Protect feet: Pair high-traction, waterproof shoes with wool socks, which are great for wicking away wetness while maintaining warmth. If you want even more stability, try Yak Trax, an ice traction device with spikes and steel coils that’s anatomically designed for use with running shoes.
Slow down: Running on snow requires more stabilizing muscles for balance, so keep the effort easy and reduce overall mileage, as needed. If it’s super icy, use good judgment by taking a rest day or hitting the treadmill; there’s no use tempting fate only to end up with an unnecessary injury.
Factor wind: Protect any remaining exposed skin with a thin layer of Vaseline to prevent windburn or frostbite. And to avoid that mid-run, bone-chilling blast in the face after you've broken a sweat, begin your run into the wind, so you can finish with it at your back.
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