Running In Cold Weather
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Whilst some runners might face looking at a Winter running outdoors as a fate worse than death and decide that they are going to stick to the treadmill, for others running outdoors all year is no problem at all. Often the difference between those who tolerate running in the cold and those who don’t is what they wear.
Clearly running in the winter requires a change of running clothes, when compared to the summer. Shorts and a t-shirt are not really the best idea, unless you are an elite runner competing in a race. Therefore as a runner looking to wear suitable clothing for cold weather running the first thing to consider is what you will be comfortable wearing.
Every runner is unique and for some people, who run ‘hot’ they typically can get away with wearing less clothes than those who are more susceptible to the cold. Experimentation over short distances is a good idea. However, it can be normal that when you head out for a run that you are initially cold, then you warm up you start getting way too hot. Also- for those who run longer distances after a while when you settle into your run you can start to get very cold again, which can be dangerous and will hamper your running performance.
Most people know that a lot of heat is lost through a person’s head, therefore wearing a hat can help reduce this heat loss and keep you warm. Also- wearing running gloves is another great way of staying warm. Some runners still wear short sleeved tops, and running vest along with their gloves as they find this is enough to keep them warm when you run. Typically gloves and hats are relatively light weight so are easy to carry when you start to warm up, or alternatively put back on again if you start to get too cold.
Running gillets are another great way to keep some heat where it matters more, at your core, whilst allowing you to remain fairly cool. Again experimenting is a great idea here. For those runners who tend to feel the cold more than most winter running jackets or rain jackets will almost certainly keep you warm when you run.
Base-layers are another useful piece of clothing to experiment with when out running. Sometimes combining a base layer with a t-shirt will be enough to keep you warm.
Ensuring that you experiment with different clothes and running distances will enable you to prepare for most circumstances. Also it is worth remembering that when racing most people tend to run harder and faster, so wearing too much clothes in these circumstances can mean you overheat. Keeping one eye on the outdoor temperature and weather forecast is also a great way of ensuring you do not get caught out. There is an old Norwegian saying that states that there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing and when it comes to running in the winter it is proved to be very correct.
