How to Run in the Cold?

[mrrun]

Difference between running in the cold and running in the hot? Temperature, I guess. Just like back in the summer when it was sweaty, I now read about folks who are hibernating because it's too glum, cold, wet, (wet & colder), dark, etc, and all that can push some amongst us into considering the option of staying in and not running. But why? There are factors out there that can be looked into and, believe me, all is not that bad. People do run in the cold and people do enjoy it. Tips about clothes, motivation, hydration, stretching, all play the part.

In my latest blog I also used the unbeatable experience and advice from our own SaskAlliecat and the special mention inevitably goes to the inimitable Lordi .

Check out my running tips and see if you can recognise our intrepid runners.

runmrrun.com/mr-runs-tips-f...

[Buddy34 Half Marathon]

I love running in the cold mrrun. This is my third winter running. I think if you want to run you just get used to it. 😊👍

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Buddy34]

If I could run in the tropical heat all year long, I'd do it. That's my element. But then, the solace and quiet of a winter run is also something to cherish. The key is to enjoy the outdoors and prepare. The body will be comfortable, and the brain won't complain. Basically, we are genetically designed to do it anyway. 😀

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon in reply to mrrun]

I think I actually prefer cooler runs to hot runs. I can always put more on but can only take so much off (and not get arrested or scar innocent bystanders 😂). But by the time winter is over, I am definitely looking forward to running with less gear and hitting the much beloved trails.

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Someone who refers to anything below zero as 'cooler runs' from me gets nothing but unmitigated respect. 👍

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon in reply to mrrun]

😆. Thanks. But it really comes out of necessity. I'm not willing to give up running all winter, or be relegated to inside on a treadmill - that would be torture.

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Just as l said. Unmitigated respect.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

The cold hasn't bothered me too much yet, but slippery underfoot is something I will avoid. Ice or snow are likely to drive me indoors but thankfully we don't get much of that where I am.

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

Slippery underfoot is plain danger. If I run and there is no firm grip, I stop. I once slipped and fell on icy surface (back when I was an innocent pedestrian) and the results were no fun. Running slowly on a soft snowy trail is definitely better than powering downhill on some ice covered asphalt though. 😉

[Hillrunner2201 Marathon]

For me one of the biggest joys of running is being outdoors in all weathers and seeing and feeling the change in seasons in way I wouldn’t appreciate otherwise. One bonus of ‘bad’ weather is that the more attractive places to run are not overcrowded!

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Hillrunner2201]

Some of us would say 'no such thing as bad weather, weather just is'. Except for violent storms, that is. Those guys can fall trees, let alone us. I always run alone, never do races so finding places where there are less humans is part of my job. And that's always outdoors.

[Larry46]

I'm in London , so it never gets that cold. I've only started running in April, so not got much experience to base it on but I've actually just been wearing the same in the summer as I do now - shorts and a shirt. I'm not a great fan of the heat though, so it may be that!

I did wear a longsleeved shirt on top on a 2 hour run recently, but although it helped at the start, I would have been happy without it. I took a water bottle for that one, but don't in the winter if I'm out for an hour or less.

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Larry46]

Yeah, London never gets too cold for too long, odd wind here and there, nothing major. I normally run around my gaff in sarf Landan but one thing you should worry about is running around the river when it's cold with fog. Or wet, cold and windy. That HM I wrote about in the blog where I nearly froze to a statue, was done by the river. Watch out for that surprise chill factor.

[Katnap Marathon]

No such thing as the wrong weather. Just the wrong clothes!

🎄🐱 Xmas Katnap 🐱🎄

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Katnap]

Absolutely! 👍

[misswobble Marathon]

I got very cold and wet a few weeks ago I don’t mind cold or wet but not together 🤨. It was rotten 🥶. I was going to turn back but pressed on in the hope it would improve. It didn’t 🙄

I should have stayed in There’s always another day 🙂

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

I know the one. London fog by the river and tiredness can stop you in the tracks. No matter how hard you try to run you'll freeze. And yet, we go and do it again.

[C3PO Marathon]

Good article. I’d add that running in the winter makes me feel smug - in a good way.

[Magellan Marathon]

Thanks for sharing. I was hoping for some advice on shoes: I know how to wear a pair of trousers and all that, and if I get it wrong I can always pop back and add or remove a layer, but what to wear on your feet in ice seems like it might be a good thing to know in advance. Getting it wrong might mean a fall, and people who might be perfectly happy to try running in a jacket to see how it goes might not be happy to try running on icy pavements to see how it goes.

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Magellan]

People running in the snow often attach cleats onto their trail type shoes, as I mentioned in my blog. Running on icy pavements is a different proposition which I simply avoid at all costs. Cleats on ice covered asphalt is not my idea of fun although I see people using them. Ice and gale force winds are the only two obstacles to my outdoor running.