Insider Tips to Master Winter Marathon Training 

Hey Jane. As a runner from Minnesota, I feel very qualified to comment. lol. You are 100% correct that the first mile or two is the hardest. I often have to run in well below zero with windchills in the minus 20 to 30 below and you'd be surprised on how little I have to wear. I wear my running tights and if really cold will put on a pair of running pants over that. I wear the same socks and shoes I wear year-round. I have three long sleeve running tops I rotate and my running jacket. My running jacket is made of slightly thicker material. Not super thin but not super thick. Just right. I do wear a black Gator. The only place air can touch my skin is around my eyes however usually have 2 miles I pull the Gator under my chin because I am warm. I usually wear a pair of thin gloves but on those super cold days I have heavy gloves I use for Ice Fishing. The hardest part is literally getting out the door. Mind over Matter. For those slippery days. I put hex head screws into the bottom of my trail shoes. They grip the ice and do not add weight to my shoes. I live about 15 minutes north of town and the nice thing about Rochester is they keep the running trails plowed all winter. Sometimes the trails are plowed before the roads. I only use my treadmill during snowstorms and even then, it is hard to keep me inside.

Coach Jane is a badass in a toque! Love it! My favorite part of cold weather running is the long hot shower afterwards. I just bring my recovery shake in the shower with me and it’s the best.

Living in So Cal Winter does not exist and I can run during the day while in the Summer I have to go out very early especially for long runs. That said seeing these picturesque photos of people running through a snowy forest makes me homesick.

It's all about layering. Marino wool makes a great base or mid layer. You know you overdressed when you first step outside and you already feel warm. You dress for 15 to 20 degrees warmer than what the actual temperature is.

Thank you so much for this video! The past few winters I always wondered if I was dressing correctly since I'd come back with my inner shirt soaked in sweat. I thought I might be wearing too many clothes and maybe I shouldn't be sweating so much. Thanks for explaining everything; your videos are so helpful and I've learned so much from you! 😀 BTW - love the hat!

A compression base layer (chaffing stopper), then a merino wool layer, then a wind/water proof but breathable outer layer fabric can take me to -25C windchill. Balaclava is a MUST, since it can convert to whatever you need based on the weather. Mitts with hand warmer inserts will help on even the coldest days. A run belt/vest which can easily go under the wind proof jacket, yet is easily accessible, is enough to protect your soft flasks from freezing. And the final piece, shoes which don't have tons of air flow. Running with cold feet is the worst.

I have seriously improved my Montreal winter running practice, but will look at some nuggets. It's not much of an option to keep moving when you are mostly a city runner as is my case, but instead of standing at the exposed corner, I keep a little away, tuck close to a hedge or bus stop for the long traffic lights (avenues). When there is a lot of snow, I chose an option which the running coach Jane may not like: I switch to cross-country skiing. I don't get the specific running training, but it spares my knees and I can actually stay much longer at a relatively high heart rate (saying this although for the first time in 15 years, we haven't had a white Christmas).

In Northern California it still doesn’t get so cold the bottle freezes, but I love using a heated bottle of electrolytes to warm my hands and with asthma/allergies my throat feels better and doesn’t contract drinking warmed liquids.

20 miles in 20 degrees today. Was sorry I didn't have mittens. Gloves didn't cut it. But that warm shower after

I wish I had cold marathon training runs instead of hot august runs in Texas.

It is not related to this subject, but I just want to thank you for the nutrition plan you shared for the Houston marathon. I finished a 26.2 race yesterday and it was my 1st that I was not tired thru the whole race, got PB by 7 minutes. I researched and decided to follow your running gel plan and it perfectly worked and finally beat 3:30 (My goal was 3:29 but crossed the finish line 3:25:12). I was not that tired. So,I felt that I could have aimed for 3:20 with this nutrition plan. It was a weird feeling since I was always bonked and had to lay down for 10 min after 26.2.......Again, thank you SO MUCH for your tips!!!

Great advice! A lot of people around here (Northern KY), wouldn't make it up where you live. Running group attendance drops significantly when it's below 25. Glad you mentioned mitts over gloves. Coming from Canada, I've been trying to convince people around here that Mitts are far better. Heated seats and steering wheel for drive home feels great.

What a great channel… I want to be a full time runner.

Totally agree with point #6, it's so easy to get chilled when you finish. If I'm driving to my start point, I keep an extra jacket in the car to change into for the drive home. Thanls for all the great content!

That was another great video Jane, and I love your hat! One thing I always pay a lot of attention to is the wind. It does suck going into the wind to start, bit it's nice having it at your back on the way home.

Nice video, Jane! I'd suggest Gorewear. Get it. Wear it. Enjoy your very cold winter weather running. Get the R5 infinium stuff. It's awesome! Don't be cheap. Very cold/windy days? Ski goggles and a buff/gaitor, windproof beanie, R5 infinium coat and pants, underarmour base layers, glove liners, gloves. I'm a cold running pro. AMA. ;)

#5 Don't stop. This.... so much this. Never stop if it's cold. lol

Appreciate all the solid running info! I know your focus is marathon/half, but any chance you might sneak in a video with more emphasis on 5k/10k tips in the near future?

Oh wow, the Grinch Cap with the Pom Pom on it, looks so incredibly cute, and with your great tips and smiling face Coach Jane, it brightens up any cold drab winter's day. Nice video clip on the treadmill, even that was a great reminder to keep the posture correct and upright when running. YES!!! getting out the door is the hardest part for me. Coach Jane the "badass", I love it, LOL. Have an awesomeness day and a Merry Christmas to you and your family as well.

I’ve been really lucky in Kansas City and been able to do most runs in 35-40 degrees so far. I know the real cold stuff will be here soon enough

Some salty sports drink (Tailwind, Skratch, or LMNT) will also keep your hand-helds ice-free and I don't need to heat or warm up the water that way. KEY if you are a salty sweater (you'll know if you have a salt crust on your shirt, hat, etc.)

I know nothing about that level of cold! I will have to remember you tough runners running in the 20s and 10s and even below when I am being a baby about the 30s and 40s. Great tips!

Curious how often you wash your down vests, do you find they get sweaty? Do you wash them every time? I’ve just started running in a jacket (I used to just pile on the layers and run in no kidding 5 long sleeves) and I’m trying to decide what to do.

All good points Jane. I actually prefer cold weather running for the most part over summer. I can get out at more reasonable times versus 4:30 AM runs in the summer here. I think one thing you need to take into account is what the wind is doing. A 20F run with no wind is quite a different story from a 30F with 20 mph winds. I know I've paid some pretty painful prices over the years by not taking that into account. Also -- especially for us guys -- is layering, particularly in the privates area. Double underwear can really help. I am one of those guys who wears shorts year round... Generally speaking I try to find a route without ice, even if it means doing 1 mile loops. I usually run on the bike trail and they sometimes plow it, sometimes they don't. I've taken a few spills over the years and that can really wreck a run. I'd be interested in hearing your take on cold weather and its impacts on the body. I know the shoes are less cushy in the winter and I find myself dealing with a LOT more soreness even for ordinary runs during the winter. As always, I enjoy your content and your wisdom when it comes to running.

Merry Christmas to you and your family

Perfect timing. Just signed up for my first "marathon", it's only 25 miles, in March (in AK).

When’s the next marathon? Have you announced it yet?