The weather!

[Rumour]

As I have said on my profile, I am a sedentary 66 (nearly 67) year old who does not run. Well, not till now. But I want to get running in a small way to make sure I can try and maximise my time left on this beautiful planet. I can do a 5K walk/run in 40 minutes, but maybe a run is different?

So to the question.

Today is very cold. VERY cold! Is it wise for someone of my fitness or lack of to start running in very cold conditions? I did one of the C25K runs this morning, W1R1 although I did the same one last week in milder conditions. What is the general consensus on this?

[RainbowC Graduate]

I don’t think there’s any particular issue about running in cold weather. If you’re asthmatic, you may need to do something differently (or so I think I’ve gathered!), you may find it more comfortable to breathe through a scarf or something over your nose to warm the air up slightly. The big thing to be careful of though is ice. Running on crispy crunchy snow is lovely. Running on ice is dangerous!

So give it a try, be careful, and happy running!

[Hobnobbing]

Could you do it at the gym? For various reasons I am very out of shape at the minute & need to build up my strength and stamina. Ideally I'd go for a walk but think the cold weather would cripple me. Patching myself up for a very easy going 30 minutes at the gym. Good luck with the programme. I'm hoping to be able to do it again soon.

[pinkaardvark Graduate]

running in the cold is great. Just wear an extra layer that you can take off as you warm up. You will very rapidly not notice it is cold while you are running. Just make sure you finish not too far from home, so if you get a sweat on you don't get a chill.

[Rumour Graduate in reply to pinkaardvark]

I have a better idea that being near home. We have an old Talbot motorhome. I take it to our local Stanwick Lakes and the first R1W1 took me on one lap including the warm up and warm down. Then rest in the Van. Best of all worlds. Beautiful place, good paths and then a cuppa!

[pinkaardvark Graduate in reply to Rumour]

Sounds great. We just got rid of our van(caravan) shortly before I took up running. Shame as it would have been a ideal way to run lots of new places. We called her fannie as she was more of a wagon to us Happy dayz

[davelinks Graduate in reply to Rumour]

Sounds great if you keep going there, never been but may visit one day..

I layer up with hat and just watchout for any ice underfoot, and keep moving after my run staying at a brisk walk so not standing around to get a chill..

[Rumour Graduate in reply to davelinks]

Dave, Stanwick Lakes would be a fantastic walk for your wife. Mostly flat and even the inclines are gentle and short. Depending on how far you walk, you could walk into our new shopping complex called Rushden Lakes. Take a look on Google. Be good to see you At Stanwick one day

[Rumour Graduate]

Well, it is true that after starting, the cold all but goes. I must say that I do feel better that I did last week on my "practice" run. But that did have a hill on the first run session, not a good idea! I guess that as long as I am careful, do a proper warm up. I should be able to avoid any mishaps.

[Hidden]

Generally the cold is great for running. I think though that it depends on HOW COLD.

A man on the radio this morning (who I think was an arctic scientist) was saying that when the temperature is very cold, the wind chill can be dangerous if you are wet or sweaty. Lots of layers seems to be the answer to avoid hyperthermia

[RainbowC Graduate]

The guideline I use is one I saw online somewhere - for running, dress as though the temperature is 10 degrees warmer than it actually is. That seems to work well for me

[ancientrunner Graduate in reply to RainbowC]

I follow that rule as well.