Running in the cold...

[Determined1-- derland here I come]

It is freezing outside. I do not like the treadmill I like to run on pavement. I am going to freeze my bunz off.
Any runners out there? How do you guys handle this? Is there anything short of a snow suit that I can wear to help? Help!!!

[Pretty Lola]

If the temp was above 40, I couldn't wear anything but shorts and a t-shirt.

25-40 degrees, lightweight running pants (the stretchy kind made of half cotton and half spandex), long-sleeve t-shirt, no shell.

Below 25 degrees, nylon windpants with light longjohns underneath, a polypro top and a windbreaker, polypro gloves, fleece headband that covered my ears, and maybe one of those neck gaiters for skiing that I could pull up over my mouth and nose.

If you're running in the below 25 category, you'll be cold at first but you'll heat up really fast. Your body will want to sweat, but your skin will actually be pretty cold to the touch- your legs will be beet red when you come back indoors. You probably won't need a hat, but delicate extremities like your ears and nose will freeze and may be subject to frostbite! That's why the neck-gaiter is a good idea, so you can warm up your face for a few minutes at a time- but of course it gets all wet and gross from your breath if you keep it up too long. The biggest problem I had running in the winter was the SNOT lol seriously the congestion was really bad. When that icy air hits your nose, it's all over! Hope you're not shy about spitting as you run!! :blabla:

[Kristin415]

Cold air kills my lungs. I can't run period! I never could. It knocks the wind out of me. That is a good thing though I think.

[Determined1-- derland here I come]

Pretty Lola you had to go there about the snot!! I thought it was just me, my nose was running like a faucet this morning. Thank goodness I had on some absorbant gloves I had to come home and wash hahaha.
Now should I just use my headband or a hat. My husband was like you put on a hat because you are going to catch pneumonia. So I wore a hat. I was just going to wear that fleece headband I have. What do you think is better?
I am going to go to the sporting good store and get everything you suggested. Fortunately it wasn't really too cold or windy this morning, but it really felt good while I was out and i realized what I've been missing. Thanks for the advice :)

[phengirl75]

I can't run either... I've never been a runner.. I get bad headaches if I run. I'm a walker.

Determined.. getting out there at this time of the year and doing it obviously you still have great determination in this... you go girl!!!

[Determined1-- derland here I come]

I could never run before either. I used to get a funky pain in my side. But I don't get that anymore. And although I haven't exercised at all in at least two months when I got out there this morning I didn't croak like I thought I would. :D

[Pretty Lola]

Determined, I agree: Good for you that you're still getting out there! Winter is a great time for running, the landscape is so pretty if you have snow there. Personally I didn't like to wear hats while running. I preferred the fleece headband that kept stray hairs out of my face and kept my ears insulated. The neck gaiter was a must for me, since my nose and lips and everything would freeze if I didn't occasionally cover them up.

If you're getting the lightweight longjohns and stuff, I say polypro all the way! I love this stuff. You can sweat and it still keeps you warm. Plus you can get it light-weight and non bulky. Do you have a runner's store in your area? They should have more suggestions too...probably the technology of clothing has come a ways since I last dragged myself outside in the wintertime LOL

And yeah, you don't want to wash your gloves all the time. So, two words: SNOT ROCKET. No really, it's not nice but just wait till you're going past a place without houses. :blabla:

[CasinoGirl]

I love running! I've been doing it for 11 years off and on. but I am a wuss so I use the treadmil. I get terrible earaches and headaches in the winter. I do prefer to run outside though. c'mon summer time!!!

[Determined1-- derland here I come]

:blabla: Lola... snot rocket Blech!!! I think I will just bring some tissue with me tomorrow and put it in my little fanny pack, it is funky funky funky. We have a bunch of sporting good shops here. I heard on the radio that Modells is having a sale for winter exercising stuff. Gonna try to get there tomorrow.
Rhonda, I feel you girl I can't wait until the summer. But this is the first time I ran in the winter and it really wasn't as bad as I thought. I did yesterday and then today. I like to run in the summer when it is really hot because I sweat and then I really feel like I am doing something.

[Christy223]

You go Determined!! :) I am so impressed, to exercise outside! I feel like a whimp going to the gym where it is climate controlled! :)

[CasinoGirl]

I like it when it is really hot too! Makes you feel like you are really doing something

[Determined1-- derland here I come]

The last couple of days hasn't been too cold here. I don't think I will make it if the wind starts blowing. Winter is not my season.