Run It – Winter Running Tips

Welcome to Run It! I’m so excited to introduce this new series to you guys – our workouts for runner’s series was so popular last year that we decided this year to expand the series to also include running tips and advice for you. This month’s topic (fittingly) is winter running – with 6 great posts giving you tips on running in the cold, great winter running gear essentials, mistakes to avoid, as well as what’s so awesome about running when it’s cold outside.

Let me reintroduce the other bloggers who make up the Run It crew – Angela from Happy Fit Mama, Sarah from Run Far Girl, Laura from This Runner’s Recipes, Nellie from Brooklyn Active Mama and Allie from Vita Train for Life. And for ALLLL the amazing workouts we put together for you last year, just click here, where I’ve archived them all in one place. 

Ready? Let’s Run It with some winter running tips.

I may complain about the cold, but I not-so-secretly enjoy running outside in the winter. I love the feeling of my body warming up when all around me is snow and ice and cold. I love getting fresh air and whatever sunlight I can soak up during shorter winter days. And, I’m not going to lie, it makes me feel like a tough, badass runner to brave the cold. Here are the tips I swear by for making winter running as comfortable as possible.

6 WINTER RUNNING TIPS

• Warm up where you’re still warm. When I head out in the summer for a run, I generally do my warm up while waiting for my watch to find satellites out front of my building. In the winter? That would be a shock to the system and take away from the benefits of warming up. (For great dynamic warm up workouts, check out our round up from last year here.) Warm up while you’re still indoors, so when you do brave the cold temperature, you’re ready to run immediately.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen aren’t just for the summer. I wrote this post on winter running essentials last year and there’s a reason sunscreen is included – it’s easy to forget when it’s cold out, but you’re facing rays from the sky as well as reflected off snow. It’s important to protect your skin and eyes in winter as well.
• Hydration is key. We don’t realize we’re sweating and losing water in winter, because it’s cold and we don’t feel thirst as quickly as we might when it’s hot and humid out. It doesn’t mean we’re not losing water through sweat and breath, though, so think about carrying your own hydration if you’re going out for a longer run in the winter months.
• Wear the right materials. When we sweat in the winter, we don’t want that sweat to stay wet next to our body – if you stop for a little while for any reason, that sweat can lead to very quickly making you cold, which can get dangerous quickly in sub-zero temperatures. Sweat-wicking fabrics and appropriate layering are super important when it’s freezing outside.
• Mind the gap! The smallest part of you exposed to the cold can become very uncomfortable quickly on your run. Make sure your socks cover your ankles, wear gloves, and wear a neck warmer as well as something to cover your ears (either a winter headband or a hat is ideal). 
• Finally, know your winter running limits. The treadmill can be your best friend in the winter if conditions are either way too cold for you, or if it’s dangerous out (for example, if it’s icy and you don’t have spikes for your shoes). Luckily, we came up with these great treadmill workouts earlier this month for you! 😉

Ready for more winter running tips from my awesome running friends?

Allie is clearly a woman after my own winter running heart and is sharing 8 things that are great about running in the winter:

Nellie is going to keep you on the straight and narrow and help you avoid these 5 winter running mistakes you may have been making:

Laura knows what’s up when it comes to feeling warm, dry and comfortable when running in cold conditions. Here’s the gear she swears by to keep you comfy on the run:

Sarah is sharing her essential winter running gear for the cold weather – it really is so much about the gear!

And finally, Angela is keeping you motivated by making sure you have the right gear to prepare you for facing the cold on your run:

Do you run outside in the winter?

What’s the best winter running advice you’ve been given?