jogging in winter

[violette]

What do you put on your feet for winter. My friend and I went running on Friday, the sidewalks were icy and we almost fell a couple of times. I just wear regular running sneakers.

[tattiefritter]

I don't think there is a lot you can do about ice apart from avoid it. I won't run or cycle when there is ice about its too easy to really hurt yourself. However, I appreciate that I live in a country with relatively mild winters and a couple of missed days here and there doesn't amount to much.

[KnottedYet]

I don't run or bike on ice, either. I've fallen enough, don't want to do it again.

[KSH]

Running on ice? Heck no. No thanks.

Shoot, I won't even run outside if it's below 50F degrees.

Treadmills suck... but running when it's frozen outside and there is ice on the road... sucks even more!

[Grog]

I don't use them, but there are a number of stabilizing and ice devices available. Check REI for a good sample:

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Search?storeId=8000&query=*&cat=12221603&text=1&vcat=REI_ALL_CATEGORIES:C

I run in all conditions including in the snow (it's fun but really hard and tough on your joints if it's packed hard) but I am extra careful. I wear regular running shoes but will probably throw in wool socks if it's cold (less than zero celcius). If it's wet I'll add a plastic bag around my lightest wool socks so my feet don't get cold as fast. But I'll run for a shorter time, not more than an hour, to avoid getting too cold.

You need to be mindful of joint stability and of where you're going to take your next step. I do all I can NOT to step on a clear/black ice patch. Snow is not an issue.

I'm an all-weather runner. Actually I'm mostly a foul-weather runner. When it's nice on the road, I take my road bike!!

[colby]

I usually just wear running shoes, but a couple of days have me considering some of the traction devices. I don't mind snow, but I do mind ice ;)

My only other probem has me considering waterproof trail running shoes -- rain/snow/puddles = wet feet. Wet feet suck. My feet sweat as it is and my socks can handle that, but they can't handle "oh crap, that puddle was deeper than I thought" (oops). I hate shoe shopping though, so I've put up with it so far. I'm not marathon training or anything, an hour won't kill me. :)

[anakiwa]

There's not much that stops me from getting outside, but freezing rain/ice will.

Running in snow is fun- but you have to go more slowly and watch you don't slip.

Cold isn't a problem either as long as you're careful and wear the right clothes. (Back a couple of years ago when we had real winters, I can remember several early morning cross-country ski excursions at -20 F. You can't stop moving at that temperature, but it's really not bad if you're acclimated and have the right clothes on.)

I have a pair of Stabilicers (sort of like Yak trax but sturdier) that I wear for hiking or walking the dog. I don't think I'd want to run in them though (at least not on the roads- on a trail would probably be fine). I stick to regular running shoes- but again if it's icy (and I can't ski) I take the day off.

[Dylaidan's Mom]

I am a complete wuss when it comes to running on the treadmill and would much prefer running outside. I actually find that it is easier to slip when walking than when running - mind you I usually go down once a year but have never hurt myself. On the other hand we don't get much freezing rain at all here in Central Alberta (Canada).

This morning I went for a run at -33 degrees Celcius (-27 degrees F) at 6am which is a couple of hours before sunrise this time of year. It was pretty chilly but not really that bad once you are warmed up. My hat, scarf, and eyelashes, hair, mitts etc. were all frosty when I got home and I kept having to scrunch my eyes closed to melt the frost that was building up on my lashes - they were starting close on me.

Last month, my running buddy and I went out when the windchill was -42 degrees Celcius (-44 degrees F - yes 44 degrees below freezing) and the only real problem was that my eyeballs kept getting cold :D They were the only element exposed to the wind because your glasses fog up too fast when you are wearing a face mask. My eyes felt dry for the following two days - lots of drops. I have this scary looking mask that covers everything my hat doesn't cover except my eyes - it has breathing holes for your nose and mouth and is quite toasty.

I'm not completely crazy - I just hate the treadmill and I have to admit I feel extra Canadian after those chilly runs. I end up feeling extra powerful, tough and determined by the time I get home. The negative is that if you hurt yourself you have to run anyways because you never have enough clothes with you to walk home without freezing - My solution is to run with somebody when possible and bring the cell phone so DH could be there to pick me up in the van in under 10 minutes.

[Wahine]

I don't run outside if the footing is really bad. It's too easy to hurt yourself, not just by falling down but also due to the stability issues Grog mentioned. Running on ice is a good way to get an overuse injury like a tendonitis because your muscles and tendons have to work harder to stabilize you.

But if you want to run in that weather, most running specific stores now carry the stabilizers mentioned above.

As for running in the super cold, I am also from Alberta and I have been known to run in that knd of weather in my youth. However, when I took sports medicine at University I learned that most running shoes lose all of their cushioning properties at below -20 C. So that became my cutoff.

No need to ask for an injury IMO.

[tattiefritter]

I'm not completely crazy


Are you sure?!?! :D

The first thing I thought of was "what about your eyes?". My eyes feel terrible in the cold and by cold I mean a measly 0 degrees C. I don't think it ever gets anywhere near minus 33 in the UK (except perhaps in the middle of a whiteout in the Cairngorms in the Scottish Highlands - somewhere I hope to never find myself).

Jeez!

[violette]

Thanks for the advice. In live in New Brunswick, we only have a dusting of snow and it hasn't been below -10 in the day, usually arount -5/+2. The only thing that stops me is the WIND, I hate it. This morning, we had a dusting of snow, but now everything is melting.

[yellow]

violette, we get that cold wind here too. I find that if I wear a wind vest that I'm fine once I get warmed up. I have a full wind blocker LS top, but it's too hot, even when it's 15*F/-9*C.

I bought a pair of the YakTrax pro stabilizers but haven't had to use them. It's generally very dry here and I find that if I just slow down a little, running on the snow is really quite easy and fun (but of course if it's too deep, then that means I should be XC skiing, not running)! But ice...I think I'd either use the stabilizers or go skiing!

[Bikingmomof3]

I actually prefer to run in colder temperatures. Anthing above 60*F and I am miserable. Hopefully I will be better aboutt he heat and humidity this coming summer.

As for snow, we have not seen any. There has been lots and lots of rain and our temps have been around 52*F/11*C well above normal.

I miss the cold and snow. :(

[Hammer]

I've been running on snow covered sidewalks. It's a tougher workout! I only have been doing a 2 mile loop. Usually I run 12 minute miles. I've been doing 13 minute miles. Some sections of sidewalk haven't been scooped, so the footing is a little uncertain. We're talking only about 2 inches of snow, but that still is a little resistence and reduced traction. Then hopping over the drifts at the end of the sidewalk where the street intersects... It wears a person out quicker, I think.

Anyone else have similar experiences?

[HillSlugger]

We had our first measurable snowfall Sunday into Monday. With Tuesday as a run day I drove along my usual route yesterday evening to scope out the sidewalks. I found that they were greater than 90% clean and dry. I avoided the crunchy snow and ice as much as possible (even running in the road for a short stretch) and ran carefully when it couldn't be avoided. If the route had been worse I would not have run.

[anakiwa]

I've been running on snow covered sidewalks. It's a tougher workout! I only have been doing a 2 mile loop. Usually I run 12 minute miles. I've been doing 13 minute miles. Some sections of sidewalk haven't been scooped, so the footing is a little uncertain. We're talking only about 2 inches of snow, but that still is a little resistence and reduced traction. Then hopping over the drifts at the end of the sidewalk where the street intersects... It wears a person out quicker, I think.

Anyone else have similar experiences?

Running in snow is WAY slower (at least if you want to maintain the traction needed not to fall down). I don't pay a lot of attention to pace on regular runs, but I'm sure I slow down at least that much.

[VeloVT]

I recently bought a pair of Icebugs for running in icy conditions:

http://www.icebug.se/ShowDocument.asp?id=136

They have water resistant uppers and teeny carbide spikes on the soles. I only wear them when it's truly icy, or there's significant packed or new snow on the sidewalks -- they're heavier and stiffer than running or trail shoes and the spikes are noisy on dry pavement -- but for those conditions they're excellent. Even on ice they really improve traction, and are a very stable shoe -- more than I'd normally want actually, but it's good in slippery conditions.

Also tried trail shoes this winter (Brooks Adrenaline ASR) for less severe winter conditions, since I was sliding all over the place in my regular running shoes. The traction is far better than trainers, and I love the waterproof uppers. I don't totally love the shoes (just too stable for me), but I'd definitely recommend giving trail shoes a try for winter running.

I can't wait until spring <<sigh>>.... We've had lots of snow in the past two weeks, so much that I've been reduced to running on the treadmill -- which is just horrible. And I miss riding my roadbike outside. <<longing sigh>>..