Hello friends!
I’m currently on my way to Germany with my mom and brother to meet up with my dad for our family vacation (stay tuned for some fun Europe posts!), so in the meantime please enjoy this guest post from one of my blogger BFF’s, Tina from Carrots ‘n’ Cake!
Tina’s blog is a favorite of mine and one I’ve been reading for years — long before Tina and I were real life friends. I love how blogging brings people together 🙂
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Guest Post from Tina at Carrots ‘n’ Cake:
How to Dress for Winter Running
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I’m running my first marathon in just a few weeks. It’s in Phoenix, where the weather is warm and sunny, but the majority of my training was done in a much cooler climate. In fact, I did my 20-mile run in 30-degree weather along the Charles River in Boston. Needless to say, it was a cold, long run!
Just because the winter brings chilly temperatures, doesn’t mean that my running routine has to suffer. I used to dread running outside in the cold, but learning how to dress properly for the conditions made it much more enjoyable. Here are some winter running tips to get you out the door and running!
Dress In Layers
Dressing in layers for a winter run is important– but you don’t want to overdress either! I start with a thin layer of ‘wicking’ clothing, which absorbs body sweat. I avoid clothing made out of cotton because it holds in moisture, which is uncomfortable and ultimately makes me feel colder. The next layer that I wear is a breathable layer that will protect me against the cold and wind, but releases heat so I don’t overheat.
When getting dressed for a run, I like to keep the “25 Degree Rule” in mind because my body heats up as I run, so this temperature estimate gives me a better idea how to dress. If you haven’t run in the winter before, go out for a quick test run around the block and add or take away layers if needed.
Cover Your Hands and Head
My hands get cold quickly (even in the more mild weather), so I always wear gloves once the temperature outside gets below 50 degrees F.
Similarly, when the temperature drops below 30 degrees F, I wear a hat on my runs, which prevents heat loss through my head.
Just Do It
The thought of running outside in the winter always used to make me miserable, but training for a marathon in November and December in Boston quickly changed my thinking. Instead of obsessing about the cold, I focus my attention on how great I will feel once I’ve accomplished my run. Usually, it takes me five minutes or less to forget about the cold.
Be Smart
Before I head out for a run in the winter, I always check the weather report. If the wind chill is in the single digits or there’s snow and ice on the ground, I take my workout inside to the treadmill. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
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Thanks for the guest post, Tina! 🙂 These are great tips. I actually like winter weather running way more than summer running (heat is my kryptonite), and “just do it” is one of my main tips, too! It’s really hard to walk out the door on a freezing cold day, but once you start running, you’ll be warmed up in mere minutes.
I hope you guys enjoyed the guest post! Do you prefer running in hot or cold weather?
