Snow and Ice: I have successfully completed... - Couch to 5K

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Snow and Ice

17 Replies

I have successfully completed consolidation run 2 without any issues. I have to say, i am really enjoying the post run feeling of satisfaction.

Anyhow, whilst running today my mind for some reason wandered to thinking about how people cope with winter. What happens when the snow and ice arrives? Do we stop running? Are there special running shoes, do people wear leggings etc?

I know its some way off with 25 degree sunshine at the moment but how do people prepare / continue.

Thanks,

Alan

17 Replies

I winter ai wear track suit trousers and a fleece in the dry and a water resistant running jacket that also windproof and breathable in the rain, which we get a lot of in Wales whatever the season.

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate

Extra layers. If the temperature is between 5 and 10°C I'll probably just add a couple of long sleeved tops and maybe longer socks, but still wear shorts. About 5°C, add leggings and gloves. A bit colder than that it's thicker jackets and maybe running trousers too. If the wind's blowing I dress according to the wind chill.

Looking at the replies (thank you) I'm guessing snow and ice would require a "snow day" lie in 😀

Cmoi profile image
CmoiGraduate

Depends how much snow and ice we're talking about! I've run in a long-sleeved top and leggings when it's below freezing. However I took nearly two weeks off at the start of the year when we had about 30cm of snow, followed by thaw-refreeze conditions that left thick black ice that even my dog slipped on. It would have been stupid to try running in that, especially since I live in a hilly area. You can buy snow tracks to add extra grip to your shoes, but I've not bothered yet.

in reply to Cmoi

I guess I am overthinking it imagining we will get 3 ft snowfalls when in reality it is usually very little 😂

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate in reply to Cmoi

Bizarrely, I just kept on running during the bad stuff we had back in February. It just requires you to go a bit slower and pay attention to where you're putting your feet. Soft snow is a bit like running on sand, so is quite energy sapping. Hard packed snow is like running on solid concrete (albeit with added slippiness).

Cmoi profile image
CmoiGraduate in reply to sTrongFuse

I'm in mid-mountain France and here's a photo of what I was avoiding in January: trails with snow almost up to my knees!

Dog in snow
sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate in reply to Cmoi

Wasn't quite that bad here in Scotland (well, in the part where I live) but it was still deep enough to be a challenge.

GoldenGirly profile image
GoldenGirlyGraduate

Lol Alan99, I absolutely loved running in winter! I started the program last August and because it took me til Feb to complete, most of my training was done during the winter. My favourite run of all time was in -11 temps with snow on the ground and snow falling. It was absolutely fantastic! I’m a graduate now and am finding summer running a challenge! I didn’t change a thing, I ran in a t-shirt but with a buff round my neck, I hate running in extra layers. Snow was ace to run on…ice not so much! I ran in a forest so was well protected from wind chill and the ground underfoot was free from snow in parts due to tree cover. I can’t wait for winter to return 🤣🤣

in reply to GoldenGirly

That actually sounds fantastic. Thank you for sharing your experience. Bring on the snow 😂😂

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate in reply to

I ran my first ever HM distance in November 2019, in the evening after work when it was dark and about -3°C. It was just one of those perfectly still nights you get sometimes at that time of year. I hadn't been looking forward to winter running (I'd only graduated C25K back in May of that year), but discovered I quite liked it; especially in the evenings as I pretty much had the paths and pavements to myself while everyone ese was sensibly inside in the warmth.

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate

I swap my running trunks for full leg leggings under my shorts, convert my buff from sweatband to hat, add a chenille base-layer under my t-shirt, pull on a pair of running gloves and off I go.If it's really slippy, I'll use my trail shoes instead of my road ones for extra grip, and I have a lightweight running jacket that I'll wear if it's really cold and/or wet.

Because I run in the evenings, my only absolute essentials are a hi-viz vest and a head-torch. Other than that, I just carry on the same as the rest of the year.

in reply to sTrongFuse

Fantastic tips. Thank you so much. Quite looking forward to winter now getting the paths to myself.

Frenc profile image
FrencGraduate

Hello there Alan99. The little bit of snow we had earlier this year saw me take a few days off - I just didn’t want to fall over! And it was pretty slippy where I am. I was chomping at the bit to get back out though. Cold weather I love, I think the most useful gear for me was gloves. Nothing worse than freezing painful hands! 🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻😊😊😊🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻

in reply to Frenc

Another great tip Frenc. I remember freezing fingers from riding bikes when younger. Certainly not pleasant at all.

I've been going for 11 weeks now every Mon, Wed and Fri at 6 am and have yet to experience running in rain! Quite bizarre for the UK

Frenc profile image
FrencGraduate in reply to

That is very strange you haven’t had rain yet! A lot of people find it really refreshing, it’s certainly not as bad as you’d think. Although I had one run and I literally had to wring my t-shirt out after. If you wear glasses, some kind of peaked cap is handy to stop your glasses getting too wet. All the best! 😊😊😊

in reply to Frenc

Another great tip. Thank you. I wear glasses and hadn't even thought about how to get on without windscreen wipers. I shall go and buy a hat. Nice one 👍

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