Tips for running in the snow and cold icy weather ❄️

[ju-ju-]

So for those of us in the UK it looks like we are in for a cold snap and snow in parts.... so I thought I would share some of my knowledge gained from running in the snow. I am not an expert but as an every day runner I have been out in most weathers. There are different approaches for different types of snow:

Newly laid: if you can stick to off road, pavements can get slippery

Overnight frost with added new snow: I think this is rather lethal as it can look all fluffy and nice but underneath it’s really slippery, and can be rocky and uneven. This is hard work, and again trails are best, and very careful and sure footing watching the path closel

Thawing snow: this is also AWFUL. careful footing, very slow and very brief is my suggestion. I was in this at my dads 2 years ago and halfway I couldn’t feel my feet as they were so wet and starting to freeze... like running in a vat of slush puppy. Wear waterproof socks if you have them.

What to wear:

Lots of clothes.... thermal socks, gaiters if you have them are fabulous as they keep your ankles warm in the snow. A warm hat or balaclava if you have one. Thick running leggings or 2 pairs with thick knickers/ pants as the bum gets really cold. Trail shoes are great, or good grippy runners....

Please do add anything you may have found helpful as I am no expert!

Pic is me and my son and pics from our runs in the snow a couple of years ago.

Juju

Xxx

And have loads of fun.... it’s just magical.

[damienair Administrator]

Firstly, you could have said that your pic was of you and your brother, you’d have got away with it.

I run in all weather too, driving wind and rain, freezing cold 🥶 and everything in between. I don’t run in snow. Thankfully I don’t see much of it on the east coast of Ireland. But when it does fall on very rare occasions I take a couple of days off.

Damien

[ju-ju- Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Thankyou... hes a big 18 year old, and my dear running buddy. We started C25k together when he was 12!! Theres something very special about running in all weathers... thunderstorms are just fantastic.

[damienair Administrator in reply to ju-ju-]

I run on my own during the week but love doing parkrun with my 10 year old Son, on the mornings I manage to drag him out of his bed.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Wonderful advice from you Ju-Ju, the thing is we in the UK haven't had much of a winter, apart from some frost at the end of November last year the temperature has been seldom below freezing, as far as snow, the first snow of the winter fell last night at around 11 o'clock and had all melted by 1PM on Tuesday where I live in Central Scotland, anyway if the winter weather does begin, perhaps at the end of March, the seasons being all crazy now, your excellent advice will be remembered. 😊 🏃🏾

[ju-ju- Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

I noticed yesturday that Somerset had snow and I thought it must be coming but now I am not so sure. Its lovely when we do get it tho

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

Thanks for your post ju-ju-. I'd put post up last night about the snow fall which was lovely. But thank goodness today wasn't a run day , I walked the dog for about 40 minutes and the snow had turned to thick slippery slush. Wouldn't even have attempted to run , i would've broke my neck. I'm hoping with the thaw and rising ever so slightly temperatures I will get running tomorrow 😊

[ju-ju- Graduate10 in reply to Buddy34]

Slush is really unpleasant to run in unless you have waterproof socks/ shoes, and can be really slippery.. Have a great run today, I thought it seemed really cold out but was 5 degrees. I saw the first promise of sun too, I am fed up of running in total darkness...

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

A little ahead of the official start of your Magic10 for me ju-ju, but where I live and where Buddy34 lives the snow has completely gone, this morning I ran for exactly 35 minutes as part of your plan, last Wednesday it was 30 minutes, the run went very well indeed, just a hint of ice, I did not fall.

I am a Graduate10 but have not ran a 10K since November 2019, so come Friday I will officially begin your plan.

[linda9389 Graduate10]

Wow! I'm in awe! I ran in slush/freezing slush just once last year - about this time actually - and was terrified. I thought then, never again. That's the only time I think a treadmill might look attractive to me! Real fluffy snow? Nah, I'd chicken out at the thought of cold wet feet! Respect ju-ju- - you're amazing and I'm a self confessed wimp 😍

[ju-ju- Graduate10 in reply to linda9389]

Yes it does feel so cold... I think you would change your mind if you'd come to the woods with me and my gorgeous boy- everything was really quiet and still in the woods, and we were running in fresh snow pretending we were antelopes ( it was knee high). It was a really special run.

[linda9389 Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

You do make it sound a lot of fun!

[ju-ju- Graduate10 in reply to linda9389]

see - you would love it!

[lexi6 Graduate10]

Fab photos and wow! running in that, but I’m with linda9389 and I couldn’t run it. You are amazing.

[ju-ju- Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

I am really lucky to live near woods, so its just magical to run in snow there, its not so much fun by a main road etc....

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Thanks juju. Top tips, if you are near a college or university campus they are usually well gritted - May have to do a few circuits but very safe. I got a lovely 7k run our local campus today which was packed with runners, dog walkers, students and staff enjoying frosty sunshine. If your hands get cold - mine freeze quickly, invest in little reusable hand warmers - they have a metal tag you click to trigger chemical reaction to heat hands, just boil when you get home ready for next run. Happy running everyone 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

[ju-ju- Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Oh yes they sound great, a good idea if we do get some snow, and for when its so cold. I am going to Iceland with my mum in March and I have been looking into running there, apparently the pavements are heated.....!!!!

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

Iceland is phenomenal I went midsummer last year and they had unexpected hot dry weather short and tshirts. Fantastic scenery but very expensive £7 coffee £12 soup £6 icecream enjoy

[Hidden]

Great tips Ju-Ju

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Thanks Ju.. a timely reminder... and I am about to order my first pair of waterproof socks ! I am tired of cold soggy toes!

[ju-ju- Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

oooo can you let me know what brand they are- I will do a saved search on Ebay for some ( keeping in the loop year!!)

[Hidden]

What Fantastic advice from a seasoned runner 👍.... My only thought is if it's too warm with a hat, too cool for a cap go for the multi functional buff,

Happy running out there

[ju-ju- Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

absolutely, buffs are so versatile, I am wearing two for my runs lately, one on the neck and one on my head!

[Vegout25]

Thanks for the advice ju-ju-. I’m a soft southerner 5C here with icy cold wind. Wrapped up warm complete with bobble hat as about to enjoy my run 😊

[ju-ju- Graduate10 in reply to Vegout25]

Me too! I am in Bristol, but I remain hopeful we may get some snow. It was 5 degrees out this morning but it felt really cold.

[theoldfellow]

I was going to add 'lypsyl' to stop getting chapped lips - one of my banes in the winter - but looking at Ju-Ju's pics maybe lipstick works too.... ❤

[ju-ju- Graduate10 in reply to theoldfellow]

yes I take a tin of vaseline on long runs, lypsyl is great too.... I always wear my lipstick on my runs, its like my trademark!!!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

It’s gone all mild and muddy here in the south. but good tips to remember if ever we get the white stuff

[Dalmorangie]

Snow yet to hit Yorkshire but sage advice thanks JuJu, will refer back to this should the white stuff land!