Still running in the cold?

I certainly should be. But I haven't run in rather a while. I do admit I'm a wimp about cold, especially if it's windy too.

It's harder to get the gumption but never regret it when I do. There's a line from Joyce: "The cold air stung us and we played till our bodies glowed." That's a February running sensation.

I suppose cold weather is all relative. Here in New Jersey, it has been a mild winter. So far all my running has been outside. The temperatures have been in the 30s and 40s. The coldest temperatures that I run in has been the 20s. That isn't bad for running, assuming that you're dressed in layers.

The hardest thing for me is running in the dark. I'm looking forward to more sunshine.

Watch out for holes and dips in the dark! I've hurt myself that way.

Interesting stuff! Here in the temperate UK, I learned to run last year in the cold and damp and rain - so I freak out a bit if it's warm and sunny when I'm out there!

Just did my 8.5 miler in ideal conditions (for me) - phew!

It's getting colder again! Yesterday I ran in tights for the first time this season. I probably could have gotten away without wearing them (it was almost 40*F), but it was windy too and I just don't like to be cold.

I'm sad every winter because I do not work well on treadmills :(. Though, I may have found an indoor track I can get to once a week this winter. Maybe I should take the time to get good at swimming?

I run 2-3 times a week cold or hot. I just don't when it is raining when I start to run. When I am running, I am hot enough to not bother if it starts to rain.
I have to say that it hardly freezes more then 5 degrees here in NL

I do the treadmill in pretty much year round. I try to get out about once a week when the weather is good. I work in a school and it seems like if I do anything which lowers my body's ability to fight illness, I immediately get sick. So, I don't do cold or rainy unless I have to... (treadmill breaks, preparing for a public run, running in a public run, and such)

I like running in the cold and wet but then again I'm in the UK, so it isn't ever that cold.

I'm excited to have discovered these fleecy bands that go round over your ears (to stop them getting cold) but leave the top of your head free to radiate heat!

Yes. I'm training for my first 5k on Thanksgiving Day. It will be earlier than I'm ready for, but if I wait now, I'll be waiting until spring.

I'm in Kansas and it is cold here although it is supposed to warm up the rest of the week. The worst for me has been running when it is really windy.

Any thoughts on how I should dress for my first 5k? Now I run on a track a lot of the time, so I can fling my down vest off when I get hot and pick it back up on my walk home. I either am freezing when I start, or hot after I get warmed up.

I ran in the kansas city marathon a few weeks ago, so I know what you mean about the wind and temp issues. For that race I was ICE cold when I started, but a few hours later I was glad I went light. If you are sure you will be warm before the end stick with light clothing. For runs like 5k's you will not be out there for ages so you know the temperature is not going to alter too much. I always do a few small warm up jogs, and get an idea of how quickly my body heats up... You should be able to judge your need based on some light running, the morning of.
Good luck!

Krolik that is a beautiful line from Joyce!

Yesterday was the first day of snowfall in my Ohio hometown and it was terribly discouraging. All summer I was diligent and recently read Haruki Murakami's What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, which gave me even more inspiration to run.

But I went out the other evening (with no hat or gloves) and turned back after a block. I'm going to need to get used to it or hit the treadmill!

I think layers are the key. An underlayer to wick away sweat, then stuff you can take off and tie round your waist. I often start out with gloves then shove them in my pockets.

Blissful - you may well underestimate how warm you'll get. All the excitement may push your heart rate higher. I started my first 5 miler in Feb this year with a jersey jacket and hat on - by 500 m I had the jacket round my waist and the hat in my hand!

Have someone waiting with your fleece at the other end.

Ooh - in the half-mara on Sunday I got one of those foil things for the first time - made me feel like A Proper Runner!!

The rule of thumb I go by is that I should be chilly the first mile. If I'm warm during the first mile, I'm overdressed because I'm going to get hotter the more I run.

I popped out for my first post-half-mara run this morning (a spritely 4.3 miles in 48 mins or 11.1 min miles - not at ALL bad for me even on a normal run!) and I wore a short sleeve running top and a long sleeve fluorescent running jacket - the sleeves stuck to my lower arms in an unpleasant manner!

My local cheap source of running clothing has closed so I'm actively seeking new ones! Anyone in the UK have any website recommendations?

I finally broke down and bought actual "running clothes". Running in a long sleeve tee-shirt and fleece vest is no longer cutting it for me now that it's dipping down in temps. I sprung for some layering gear at my lrs and am really glad I did.

I'm getting over a cold so yesterday I ran on the treadmill instead of heading outside (it was rainy, cold and yucky here in Kansas yesterday). Wish someone had warned me how BORING running on the treadmill is. When I'm outside, I usually feel like I can go on for a while and hardly ever look at my watch. When I was on the treadmill, I had to force myself not to look at those little red numbers moving up. Only three miles, but it felt like an eternity!

lol, annie, I run marathons outside but I don't think I've ever run more than 2 1/2 miles on a treadmill because of boredom. Even if I put on a movie or something.

The real running clothes make a big difference, don't they? So much more comfortable! And warmer!

Oh yes and you don't get all cold and damp with your sweat being nicely wicked away! I really really want those tops with the little hole in the sleeve to put your thumb through!!

#19- That's what I bought! I bought a little light undershirt thing (long sleeve) with that whole wisk thing you were talking about. I also bought a pink long sleeve jacket with the little thumb holes. I love it! It was worth the money (which by the way, was more than I've ever spent on any type of jacket- running is expensive!).

This is the time of year for me to boast. Our mornings are 60 degrees (15 or so in celcius) and our days are still 80 degrees (26 or so in Celcius). I run in a warm-up pants and a long sleeve t-shirt in the mornings or just t-shirt and shorts in the daytime. : )

Oh OnceARunner - I am jealous! It's 9 out at the moment but really raining. I am completely paranoid about slipping on wet leaves at the moment, esp as the areas round here have a lot of ups and downs. I'm afraid I'm letting the side down and doing an hour on my cross-trainer instead this morning.

Once the leaves have finished falling and been swept away, I'll be out again happily (till it gets icy!)

It was all of 35*F today with an icy wind blowing, making it feel even colder. I did not run. I really don't like wind!!

#23- Yesterday was my cold day. About 30 with a lot of wind and even snow flurries. I ran 5 miles. Today was actually nice. Sunny and around 35 when I ran in the morning. I normally don't run two days in a row, but I had a cold for a couple of days last week, so I missed a lot of running.

Actually I like the cold. When you'll really hear me complain is next summer. I HATE hot weather and am already dreading running in it.

Mmmm, hot weather ... that is my favorite. :D

I hate the hot weather too - yuck! I am just hoping the leaves all finish falling soon and get swept up, so I can get out in the nice brisk cold again!

I did do an hour on my cross-trainer yesterday and walked the 3 miles to or from work 3 times last week, so have not given up on exercise completely!

87 degrees here today (30.5 for you Brits out there). I waited until right at sunset to run... and injury my left calf. I will do what I always do nowadays. Take three weeks off and then gradually return to running...and injury something else.

Ouch! How did you injure it?

Still v leafy here, we were slipping just walking in!

Walked to work this morning and walking home this evening, so not doing too badly for the week so far...

I don't need a "how" to get injured. I ran marathons from age 12 to age 29 and then took time off. Unfortunately I have not been able to return to even modest running without getting injured just by thinking about it. Hence "OnceaRunner."

Oh, I see, yes... well I hope you have a trouble free rest period and get back out there soon.

I managed to get out and about in the cold last night - it was chilly, windy and a bit of rain but, buffeted around like anything, I managed 4.1 miles in 50 mins. I wore thick cloth tracksuit trousers and a normal tshirt with my running jacket over the top so was warm and visible - so I can manage for the time being but do need some wick it away tops. Hopefully we're going to the cheap store this week to look for some!

So I've broken my winter fear of running in the dark and am all set up to do at least a couple of runs a week now. hooray!

I just ran a 5K this morning. Stiff Northwest winds and with windchill the temp was 8 F (-13C). I took it slow and was plenty warm after the 1st mile!

Bloomin eck!!

I have to say I'm going on the cross-trainer today, it is 0 degrees out there with icy rain and the promise of snow. I really don't want to get a few miles out and get in the snow, or go in tiny circles round the house! So 75 mins on the cross-trainer it is (and believe me, I would prefer to be out in icy rain really!)

Well, I just ran a 4.75 mile (Manchester - CT - USA, that is) "Road Race" with about 11,000 others. Think about that distance with that kind of crowd. To call it a road race is a bit of a stretch. My brother had a pass to get into the 35 minute section. He found the hill at the beginning to be really grueling. I was so far behind and so bunched up in the pack I didn't even notice the hill. I'm no veteran runner but I barely broke a sweat. It was obviously elbow-to-elbow the whole distance. But what a festive and cool experience!

I'm glad you were able to find the CHAOS "festive and cool." Happy Thanksgiving from Phoenix, Arizona.

Sounds fun, Sandydog!

I've got a week off work, I did an hour on the cross-trainer on Wednesday (I had a small medical procedure on Tuesday which left me a little sore and wobby but am fine now) and am planning to go out for an hour today and an hour of something on Sunday.

It is annoying living somewhere cold, wet and slippery!

But I bought some long-sleeved tops from Decathlon on Tuesday, plus some flourescent arm bands with flashing lights, so feel more kitted out now at least!

I managed to go out even though it felt REALLY cold!

5.2 miles in 60 mins (pace 11.4 mins per mile)
First mile 10.25 mins
First 5k 31.5 mins

Weather - cold (1-2 degrees) and sunny
Wore new long sleeve top (good) and new bottle (tricky)

>36 LyzzyBee:,

'Sounds like everyone will definitely be able to see you coming, LyzzyBee!

today didn't even reach 70 degrees for us, but it will get back to the 70's tomorrow.

>38 Sandydog1: yes indeed - although I enjoyed the luxury of going out in grey and purple yesterday, as it was in the daytime!!

>39 OnceaRunner: Bah! Must get really boring being so warm and dry all year round... maybe... warm... dry... (looks out onto a misty freezing garden with a few damp birds flapping around disconsolately)

Sandy, that doesn't sound like much fun to me, but I'm glad you were able to enjoy the festivities! :)

Lyzzy, new clothes are always fun! New clothes put me in a running-crazy-phase just so I can use all the new gear.

OK, now it is even cold in Phoenix. This morning my wife and I ran a couple miles together and it was barely 50 degrees and the high today only reached 68 degrees. We ran in sweat shirts, sweat pants and my wife had ear muffs and I had my hands tucked inside my sleeves to stay warm.
The sun never really came out all the way today.

OK - that is getting cold - today here it was hovering around 30 to 40 though!! Then again I didn't go out today as I'm still congested after the cold I had in the week...

We have snow and ice on the ground and it only got up to about 25*F here today! I think I would run in shorts where you are, OnceaRunner. Though I suppose it has a lot to do with what someone is used to. ;)

I didn't run today. I've actually been rather lazy the past two weeks. I really need to get on my layers and get out there!

Edited to add: Sorry you're still congested, Lyzzy! I hope you get better soon!

I had a great runof about 6 miles yesterday. It wasn't bad at all, 25 F; you warm up eventually. But tomorrow will be about 7 F; that's without the NW winds windchill. I'll see how I feel about those temps when I go out to run in the dark prior to dawn.

I agree with Lefty; I'd be wearing shorts in Phoenix!

44 - thanks Lefty! I'm doing OK - I'm feeling almost completely better, but I am Queen Of Snot when running at the best of times (hayfever in the summer, cold nose in the winter) and I don't want to be more uncomfortable than I have to be. I'm walking to and from work tomorrow and will hopefully do a gentle run on Sunday.

I have to say though, that while I was annoyed I have had 3 colds this year so far (but I'm so much FITTER! why still colds???) I realised that I have got over each one very much more quickly than I usually do, and with no months-long hacking cough as an aftermath...

Being sick for less time is definitely a plus, Lyzzy!

Indeed!

Now the problem I have is this: Running in the cold, no problem. Running in the ice, problem. I am not confident about going out when the ground is frosty. It was scary walking to work the other day, let alone running on it. So what to do? Just now, it's OK in the evenings, so I can go then, but today for example it's been hovering around 0 degrees all day, so there would still be icy patches. Dark and icy - no thanks!

I did a lot on my cross-trainer last winter and we have just got a rowing machine but I will miss going outside.

At the moment my weekly programme for the winter looks like this:

- walk home twice (3 miles each time)
- 1 hour cross-trainer or rower
- 1 hour run on a Sunday or another hour cross-trainer/rower
- 2 free weights sessions

I might add that I'm not training for a race at the moment and need to shift 14 more lbs... but I will miss going outside! Any tips for ice?

Ice is a tough one! I'm afraid of it too. Usually the roads are less icy than the sidewalks, so I tend to run on the roads in nearby neighborhoods. Of course, if you only have busy roads around you that doesn't help a whole lot unless you're okay with the traffic.

LyzzyBee,
I would freak trying to run on ice. Personally I wouldn't do it because it sounds too risky to fall, but I live in a desert so it is easy for me to talk.
As far as that "stone" you say you have to lose I would hit the cross-trainer or rower more often during the week and avoid a fall injury outside.
Good luck. Aim it at the tv and the time will pass by quicker.

Yes, good point -- indoor exercise is certainly a safer option!

Unfortunately, running on the road is not an option - I live in a heavily populated residential suburb situated on a main road out of the city!! Cyclists tend to ride on the pavement here, if that gives an idea...

Well done OnceA on the "stone" knowledge!!

Oh well, a winter of indoor exercise beckons, and I'll just have to get out there on a weekend if it isn't icy!

Thanks for the support chaps!

It warmed up to 43F so I put on my trail shoes and rubber-strapped fisherman cleats and ran 2 miles through 3-7 inches of water/slush/snow. It was great to get out for a few minutes; I hope my knees and back forgive me.

Season's greeting everyone!

Goodness me - well done SandyDog!

I am indoors for the foreseeable - my glasses fell apart while I was on the exercise bike, one lens disappeared COMPLETELY and I am in my old, heavy, slipping down the nose, if I break these I am in my sunglasses, glasses, so no running around outside for me till the new ones come!

Season's greetings, all!

Well I went out on the canal with my running partner (she's very pretty, blond, has an enormous nose, droopy ears and a constantly-wagging tail). There was a town pick-up truck with plow, driving back and forth over the paved walkway, in a totally futile attempt to remove the ice. Futile, but I did appreciate the effort.

I'm getting ready for a local 5K on January 1. We have a 90 year-old running this race so I've got to support that! You should see this guy. 65 year-olds crowd around him at races like he's some kind of high school superstar!

Husband and I did a 5K run today. (Not an event or anything. Just a normal run.) It was about 30*F, which wasn't too bad, but it was a bit more windy than I prefer. Oh well -- it's over now and I've survived! ;)

I scratched on that January 1 5K due to a minor power outage at home, but am doing a 5 miler next week, so I'd best get running again. Today was a balmy 9F. The cold is ok, but those icy surfaces sure get me a tad nervous. For the past 2 weeks, teh ice and snow has stopped me... er..."cold."

79 degrees for today's high. Tomorrow is the Rock'n'Roll marathon and half marathon in town and the weather should be great in the morning for the race. No wind, no hills, and starting temperature of 50 and finishing temperature of 65 to 70.

It hasn't been so icy here the last few days. But unfortunately... well, I got my hospital appt for my one leg longer thing that I wanted, but he moved all my leg joints through all their range of movement and MAN have I been creaky and in pain ever since!!!

(good news is I am fine, fine to keep on running, and I will be getting an insert to put in my shoe, in which case my calf muscles should equalise in size again. Phew!)

I am considering the Dudley 5 miler in Feb but will have to see how I go really...

I went for a run this morning! It was mild and sunny and even though I haven't been out for ages I managed 3.33 miles in 40 mins which is just about my usual pace.

I am encouraged to apply to do the 5 miler on 22 Feb that I did last year...

Great to hear you are on the mend. I ran a 5 mile race today and it was a balmy -8C (17F, did I do that right?). Road surfaces were no problem; that's what counts.

Do it Lyzzy!

Sandydog1? Where do you live? That's bloody cold.

I tried to run without my wife for three miles and I made it 2.25 before my pulled my right calf muscle. I will go for acupuncture today after work to see if that can mend me.

Oncearunner- ouch! Hope the acupuncture helps.

I ran 5 miles last night in about 40 degree temps. I thought it was nice out. Running again tomorrow and Sunday.

I am in training for a half marathon on April 19, but I've been slacking with the workouts lately. Trying to get back on track...I just started a new job last week, and a new relationship recently, so it's a lot all at once!

I hope you're feeling better, OnceaRunner!

Congrats on new things, Annie! :)