I’m a 58 year old runner/ex runner who did a couple of sprint triathlon a few years back. Here’s my (very)cold weather tip . Allow your body particularly your lungs to get acclimatise to the very cold air after you go out and before you start putting serious cv effort in by walking or slow jogging first. I’d advise warming up outside to achieve this. Doing a vigorous warm up in your warm house then going out and blasting it could bring on wheezing bronchospasm. Learned this when I was young and invincible and thought wrapping up well and easing gently into your running in the cold was for wimps
Switch that title for running in nice fall weather and that's perfect ;). Otherwise I'll keep putting on my 4 top layers (merino base layer, fleece sweater, running 'winter' jacket, light down jacket), 2 bottom layers with leg warmers (also helps to keep snow out of your shoes), and shoes with merino socks + wind-waterproof socks (those are sailor's socks and are amazing when it's really cold with lots of snow ready to melt in your shoes) and crampons for the snow and ice are an absolute must. Add a breathable hat + the hood from the jacket, neck-warmer to cover the nose and mouth when the air is too cold to breathe directly, and light gloves. Now we are ready for the true Canadian winter running!
I ran today and it was 19 degrees F. I wear knee high compression socks under my full length leggings, I swear by Lululemon scuba hoodie and a vest plus gloves and a merino gator. I am 52 and new to running and every other long run Sunday I up it 1 mile . It feels great to run in the cold and I got my 5.11 miles in plus a 15 minute walk to bring my heart rate down easily but not too fast . I always plan my routes in advance so I am close to home at the end . My coach/ daughter said stay consistent and It ll improve my running abilities along with strength and core work. She wants the running journey to be enjoyable for me so I can complete a 1/2 marathon in the fall of this year.
In Canada here - gets pretty cold, I run in -20 celcius a number of times a year, though -10/-15 is more common in winter. My favorite temperature to run, if I can choose, is between -5 to -10 with no or light winds. I tend to favor as a base layer (both top & bottom) pretty tight fitting stuff. I find this is what gives me the best bang for the bucks with minimal clutter. For -5 without winds, I'll typically have tight boxers shorts, long legged tights on top, with some kind of shorts on top of the tight (I'm a guy, it helps keeping my tingy warm). For top, I'll have a tight long sleeve as a base layer (for -5, I don't care if it's merino or synthetic, but as it gets colder and/or longer run, I'll go for the merino). Then a synthetic short sleeve on top of that. As it gets colder, I'll typically just add a 2nd base layer (both top & bottom) and/or get a ticker 2nd layer. I have a few of each, so that system makes it easy to adjust to whatever temperature. If I go for a long run, I might something chuck an additional layer in a small backpack. I find the face is the harder bit to manage when you get to cold (-20 or below say), as there's no really good solution. Run long/hard enough and any face cover you put on will start freezing from the moisture of your breath, eventually rendering it less effective. You can put on thicker stuff, but then breathing is less comfortable. It's also hard to take those on/off, because if you take it off after a while it'll REALLY freeze... Hands are the easier part IMO. I prefer mits to gloves, they keep digits MUCH warmer for a thinner thing, and it's lot like digits are actually useful while running I'm always slightly cold when I start. I actuallly have learned to enjoy the cold rush and fully embrace it. As I get into my run, I warm up just enough to be confortable. I seldom have to put/remove layers after I start if I go for a long or any sort of steady run.
In Nordic region, like here in Finland, studded shoes are important. You missed out the running trousers.. that’s also must to run in cold weather. Multiple layers on legs are even needed here. I don’t like wearing tights and always struggle to find a good running trousers which are not so tight. Perhaps .. Nike has some of them.
You can check Arcteryx brand leggings for winter run… they are fleece inside n outside normal polyester… if that brand available in Finland…. It is here in Norway… super expensive but totally worth
Running is so much harder in the winter simply because the cold air seems denser especially with wind. I live in Michigan the most upper north part of the United States and it’s tough. But I just can’t NOT run until spring. I gotta be out. Weather it’s walking or running. Those are my habit!! I needed this video
I started wearing ski goggles. Best move ever. Living in chicago where its humid, cold, and windy, keeping my eyes free from tears and my face warm is a huge benefit. ANON goggles also have a mag strip at the bottom and they make face shields with a mag wire, it makes a perfect seal for keeping the lungs warm.
I live in the mountains in Switzerland. With temperatures sitting in between -5 degrees up to +5, I usually wear a t-shirt, two jackets, leggings, shorts, benny, scarf and gloves. I also take a hot bath after my run. The winter season is really underrated. The first two kilometres are the worst, but after that our body is hot enough and it’s actually really nice to run in these conditions rather than in hot summer weather.
I live in Northeast USA, where temps are often around freezing. I have found a few winter tips that help me! Fleece gloves are GREAT - add some warmth but also 'breathe' - and easy to take off and stuff into pocket once warmed up. Also don't get 'funky' and stinky at home! Easy to toss into wash. Same for hat - thin fleece is ideal - and one that covers ears! Thin buff is also great - pull up over face around others (COVID) - or keep up for warmth/humidify the air you breathe when really cold - or pull down around neck for easier breathing but added neck warmth. Very easy to pull up/down. Sunglasses help break cold wind on eyes. Pockets are key for hat/gloves! Either a vest, or light jacket - ideal for me is cycling jacket that has thin fleece inside, and wind-stopper outside - can unzip when warmed up, and big rear zip pocket for gloves/hat/fuel! I wear sleeveless synthetic T under long sleeve thermal as base. Running tights are great - also long, knee-length tight boxers underneath for added warmth. Hope that helps! :)
When it gets really cold I love wearing my balaclava. You can adjust it for the prefect combination of head and face coverage for the temperature and effort.
What is "really cold"? I ask because I find that once it gets to ~ minus 20 (celcius), especially windy, my baclava will freeze out from my breath no matter what. If I ever DARE to take it off, then it becomes a frozen mess and it's hard to put it back on.... I still haven't found a good solution to that. Well thicker ones I guess, but then it's harder to breath...
I live in Northeast USA, where temps are often around freezing. I have found a few winter tips! Fleece gloves are GREAT - add some warmth but also 'breathe' - and easy to take off and stuff into pocket once warmed up. Also don't get 'funky' and stinky at home! Same for hat - thin fleece is ideal - and one that covers ears! Buff is also great - pull up around others (COVID mask) - or keep up for warmth/humidify the air you breathe when really cold - or pull down around neck for easier breathing but added neck warmth. Very easy to pull up/down. Sunglasses help with cold wind on eyes.
Can you do a dress demo! Start with your upper and lower base layer on, then so us how to layer and showing different options ! Show sock options, glove options, head and face covering etc....eg baclava!
usually wear a old cycling top this time of year the lycra has gone so not super tight but gives you the pockets to hold stuff you either want to take off or put on
Your cold looks like our late summer through December. Or April - June. I usually wear a long sleeve tech shirt and a micro down jacket at 20 degrees and colder.
Heather love your awesome video. That's often, very often case with me. Cold don't want to go out, but when I (do) go out. Get more pressure at the end of it. (A getting out) and b working harder.
I work for a company based in Quebec, Canada though live in the UK. Over there I saw the local running club out one January. They were like, it’s our usual Tuesday night. LOL. Think it was around -24 at the time. I think anything up to -20 is quite manageable, lower than that, it get tough
I always take a long stick with me. This comes in handy if the polar bears come too close. Just kidding :-D . The stick is not worth much against them. But penguins can be easily disturbed with it.
Hey Heather. Lovely video. Always cheers me up. What are those running trousers you have on? I hate wearing tights and prefer shorts or trousers but can’t find good trousers. Any Tips? They look good.
-7 C this morning in East Yorkshire, down a little bit from the -5 C we have had for the last few days. Perhaps you need more presenters from the north of the UK and not just from the warmer south of the country?
My biggest problem is my hands. I have a pair of winter cycling gloves that look really cool, but when I wear them on a run my hands get really sweaty and the insides of the gloves are still wet days later, which is not only nasty to the touch but now the gloves stink like DEATH. Oh my gosh -- they about knock me out they're so awful. I also have a pair of more traditional soft material everyday gloves that you might wear, say, to shovel the snow. My hands get sweaty in them too, and although there's not the smell problem, when I try to pull my sweaty hand out of the glove the inner lining comes out too and is a huge pain to shove back into the glove. So, any good running glove recommendations would be much appreciated. I'm tired of having pruney hands after a run in the cold!
If you have forced air heating in your home, you can get a special attachment for the vent. Looks almost like 10 upside down ice-cream cones. Put your gloves/hat/shoes on it to dry them out quickly before they get too funky.
Winter cycling gloves are often very windoroof, this can make them less breathable If I need gloves to run usually it’s only the thinnest, lightest I own. But not that cold where I live
My problem is my stomach. I might be running and sweating, but my stomach is still very cold, and that causes several problems. I sweat a lot (A LOT) so I can't put much more clothes on, because I get too hot and sweaty. My solution is an old woolen scarf around my waist. It's not perfect, because it doesn't want to stay put and it heats up lower back too much. If I only could find a piece of fleece with straps... Actually I have similar problems with cycling: I haven't found well ventilated sports clothes that have very thick front layer (chest, stomach, arms and thighs), but only front. All warm and thick stuff is thick all around, so they are too hot for me.
Anyone serious about this has to look at a lightweight electric vest, or kidney belt, &/or Wim Hof style mental training. A good electric vest will have several temperature settings (more heat=less time on battery), a light battery, your comfort compromise. Shop beyond running places, look at motorcycle clothing, for example. Few runners really do this, so running stores don't really sell this gear. I always hate spending the cash on real Gore-tex, but I always appreciate it later.
