Winter is no reason to stop running
By Lynne Marsala Basche
There is nothing wrong with running on a treadmill, but when cabin fever sets in, feet may twitch thinking about getting outside, despite the falling temperatures. Winter is no reason to stop an outside running routine; it just needs to be tweaked a bit. Here are a few tips:
Dress in layers. A long-sleeved shirt, tights, gloves, running jacket and a headband or a hat are key to a comfortable run. Body temperatures increase throughout a run, so do not overdo it. A good rule of thumb is to dress for 15 to 20 degrees warmer.
Think about the time of day. If it is dark, wear outerwear with a reflective component or flashing lights. In snowy weather, wear something bright to be easily seen, and if it is icy, switch to trail shoes or attach ice grippers, like Yak Trax, to sneakers for better traction. On sunny days, do not forget sunscreen and sunglasses.
Spend a few extra minutes warming up since bodies warm up a in the cold weather. Five minutes of brisk walking at the start of a run should do the trick.
Be sure to run with identification tucked into a pocket or shoe, too. See you around the neighborhood!
