Too Cold for Running!

[tjjazzy]

I'm having a really hard time jogging now that summer is over. It's so upsetting to me. I have enjoyed training myself to run. I don't like all the extra clothes and the fact that my muscles feel "cold." I had the worst run at the track tonight and I think it's because it's chilly now. I need it to be hot or warm out. The worst thing is that it's only fall!! It's just going to get colder. I am scared of treadmills (I'm not even great on escalators-I have a hard time getting on and off smoothly LOL) and I don't know if I could learn to run on one. I can barely walk on the one I've tried. I can't let go to even walk at a speed of 3.5.
Any tips???

[bec]

Get yourself a good pair of technical cold weather running tights and top. Underarmour makes some good ones. They are a little pricey, but worth it. Get yourself a hat and gloves to wear.

Also, try warming up inside. If you have a hard time with the treadmill, do jumping jacks or burpees or something similar to get yourself warmed up before you head out into the cold. I ran in really pretty frigid weather last winter (under 5 degrees), and had a lot of good luck with layers, good cold weather gear, and, occasionally, the chemical toe warmers (those were the bomb!).

[1jooj]

You may also need to adjust goals and expectations for cold weather running. You may find yourself going slower, but there are still great benefits to getting out there. Some people like yaktrax for snow; I have not gone there yet.

I think the coldest weather I've run in was around 0 Fahrenheit. Covered the face, wore layers, etc. But the 50-ish degree range (where we're at right now) is, IMO, the most perfect running weather. I just love it.

But I think for me, it's as much about getting out these days as it is the run itself. Winter outdoor runs just can't be so much about speed/performance when there is snow and ice and the air is bitter cold.

[KJoslyn78]

Where I grew up, the local high school was open in the evenings during winter for walkers and runners. Since the school was usually open anyways for some sporting event - or even local community groups/DMV classes, it wasn't a big stretch. It's something you can maybe call around and ask about, and if they don't maybe suggest it as a way for the community to have warm, healthy winter excersize options

[bec]

Oooh, I forgot about the yak-trax! I love my yak trax for snow! I agree that 50's is the perfect running weather!

[spughy]

Do you have snow yet? You could always switch to cross-country skiing. When I was in high school that was the training routine - run in summer, ski in winter. Running in snow is hard and frequently resullts in injury.

Snowshoeing is another option.

[ParisApril]

I'm happy it's not hot so now I can really run! In the summer it's too hot for me I have trouble running in high humidity so I prefer the fall, winter and spring for running.

I find at the 5-10C we are at now during the day I'm only chilly for the first few minutes of the run which is totally bearable. I'm still wearing knee length tights, no pants yet. Halfway through I've been taking my sweater off and tying it around my waist.

DH and I have been talking about figuring out a route that allows us to run past the house mid run to ditch all the hats, sweaters, coats and stuff when it gets even colder.