Cold Weather Running

I love it–most of the time.  And I am sure many of you runners out there do also.  The key, for me at least, was finding the right clothing.  Once I had clothing that, although not so attractive, kept my body heat in and the sweat off of me I was able to truly enjoy cold weather running.  I definitely have days when I look outside into the freezing cold and I have to convince myself that I gotta do it.  Often this includes talking aloud to myself, “it’s no big deal, it’s just 30something degrees…there are people who run marathons in colder weather”.  I usually put the running gear on before I am even committed to going for the run.  Then once the gear is on, I figure I may as well warm up. Then, before I know it I am running. Often (not always), once I am running I feel great.

I am visiting family in Canada and my winter running experience here is a quite different from what I am accustomed to–different weather conditions, unfamiliar route, no music because I forgot my iPod, etc– so it has been hard for me to get into the runs in the beginning but after about a mile, I have been able to get into the rhythm of it.

Overall, my cold weather runs this winter have been pretty successful.  I know that not all of them will be that way, but for now, I say don’t let the cold weather deter you from your outdoor runs or workouts.  Just put your gear on and go for it.