Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Dealing with Weather

It's been cold - as in 'high of 21 Fahrenheit' cold. It's hard to run when it's cold - as in 'my face is about to fall off' hard. So, what is there to do about it?

What to do about the cold? Not much.

What to do about the suffering of a late-November/early'-December run? Tons!

1. It's All About the Layers! Yes, you've heard it half a million times... but, yes, it's true! Wear a long-sleeved sports shirt (give New Balance's a try!) and slip on a full-zip jacket with attaches gloves/hand covers and a soft, but light, fleece lining. Stack an Under Armour Storm Hoodie on top for a run for a stylish run full of warmth. 

2. Fingers Need Warmth, Too! Although they might not seem as important, it's surely no fun getting your fingers so cold that they became numb. Consider investing in some authentic cold weather running gloves, like these from Under Armour

3. Love Your Head! To keep your head from turning into an ice pop, put on a cold-weather headband for a stylish finishing touch and/or a warm knitted hat.  

4. Safety First! I know, I know, you've heard this even more times than the 'layering advice'. But, it's every bit important.  If the conditions include extreme temperatures, snow storms or icy streets, you need to reconsider your run

5. Alternatives. Head over to the gym or an indoor track to make up for a cold-weather run. Although, in my opinion at least, these are no where as fun as running outdoors, you can improvise! Bring along a friend, make a special playlist and look forward to running in much less bulk.

I'm going to be doing the Santa Run 5k next month with my cousins, which really, REALLY excites me. I'll be following these tips myself, so remember that winter runs are not automatically a bad thing... they're just chilly! 

From Saucony