Here in Michigan we finally got our first snow... yayyyyy! (sarcastic tone)
Although I hate cold weather, I do enjoy running in the snow. The cool, crisp air is so refreshing against your skin especially when your body temperature is raised from moving around. Before running in cold weather conditions you need to be prepared...
Two of the most important things to cover when running in the cold is your chest and your hands! You need to protect your lungs from the cold air, and if you're not wearing gloves your hands will FREEZE. I know this from experience. I wear a vest rather than a jacket when running. With a vest your chest and core are covered, but you won't overheat like you would with a jacket. If you don't have a vest than you can wrap a scarf around your neck and chest. I'd also suggest covering your ears when running. I've never ran with my ears uncovered since I wear a headscarf, but I can imagine that ears would get really cold and don't easily warm up.
When you start your run you will feel cold and it might be uncomfortable for the first 5-10 minutes, but once your body warms up you will feel amazing. Most people complain about their lungs burning when they run in the cold. As I've mentioned in a previous post, you must breathe properly... in through your nose and out through your mouth. This is essential in the cold because when you breathe in through your nose all of the little hairs in your nose warm up the air before it reaches your lungs. If you breathe in through your mouth, the cold air will hit your lungs really hard and you will feel a burn. You may even feel some discomfort breathing correctly, but if you are persistent and keep at it you will find it gets easier with each run.
I encourage everyone to try running in the snow and/or the rain just for the experience. It is invigorating and will make you truly feel alive. It awakens your senses and for me, few things can compare.
Although I hate cold weather, I do enjoy running in the snow. The cool, crisp air is so refreshing against your skin especially when your body temperature is raised from moving around. Before running in cold weather conditions you need to be prepared...
Two of the most important things to cover when running in the cold is your chest and your hands! You need to protect your lungs from the cold air, and if you're not wearing gloves your hands will FREEZE. I know this from experience. I wear a vest rather than a jacket when running. With a vest your chest and core are covered, but you won't overheat like you would with a jacket. If you don't have a vest than you can wrap a scarf around your neck and chest. I'd also suggest covering your ears when running. I've never ran with my ears uncovered since I wear a headscarf, but I can imagine that ears would get really cold and don't easily warm up.
When you start your run you will feel cold and it might be uncomfortable for the first 5-10 minutes, but once your body warms up you will feel amazing. Most people complain about their lungs burning when they run in the cold. As I've mentioned in a previous post, you must breathe properly... in through your nose and out through your mouth. This is essential in the cold because when you breathe in through your nose all of the little hairs in your nose warm up the air before it reaches your lungs. If you breathe in through your mouth, the cold air will hit your lungs really hard and you will feel a burn. You may even feel some discomfort breathing correctly, but if you are persistent and keep at it you will find it gets easier with each run.
I encourage everyone to try running in the snow and/or the rain just for the experience. It is invigorating and will make you truly feel alive. It awakens your senses and for me, few things can compare.
Running in cold is very hard. I am going to try your tips and maybe it is the breathing that is making it so hard for me. Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteNo problem. A lot of people struggle with breathing, even when it is not cold, so if you can consciously make the effort to focus on your breathing it will get easier with each run. Happy running!
DeleteThanks for the tips, Yumn! I am always super impressed when I'm driving and I see those people trucking through blizzards and sub-zero temps!
ReplyDeleteDunno if you ever had this happen to you, but have you heard about you thighs/legs tinglings and itching incessantly. It's an awful sensation that drives me crazy. Itching it won't do any good.
Zahra! Yes, I have had the tingling and itching sensation on my thighs when running out in the snow. During the run I do not feel the tingling or itching, it's more an aftermath of the run. If you are to wear more layers (i.e. leggings under your yoga/sweat pants) then it will reduce the sensations, but then you might overheat. Try the extra layers, or just allow your body to thaw before jumping into the shower if you're experiencing the tingles and itching. Unfortunately, I don't know how that can be stopped. It's a result of your body being exposed to super cold temperatures while your body is producing it's own heat from working, so you get that hot/cold pins and needle feel. You can try the extra layers, or you can just tough it out. It hasn't stopped me from running in the cold yet! I guess this is the kind of "pain" that is pleasure:)
DeleteZahra... were you referring to itching just when working out in the cold? If not, I do know of some people who itch just from sweat. if thats the case then I know that taking Benadryl has been helpful for them before they start their workout. Hope this helps !
DeleteIt's not the cold I'm afraid of, it's the snow and ice - I don't want to slip!
ReplyDeleteIt's not the cold I'm afraid of, it's the snow and ice - I don't want to slip!
ReplyDeleteI can understand that fear, but when you run in the snow you can pretty much gauge the roads whether they are slippery or not. If you are running on sidewalks or roads with heavy traffic, there usually isn't much ice at all. When I find icy patches on the sidewalk I usually start running on the grass until I pass those areas. Lots of time salt has been put on walkways so the ice melts. I would suggest running in the snow one time and you will find that you can work around ice/slippery areas. So far I have never slipped when running in the cold!
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