The leaves will soon begin to fall and the evenings are beginning to have a distinct, chilly bite to them. The mornings, well, they soon will be downright frigid. So what’s a runner to do to avoid having to Resort to the forsaken “dreadmill” to get in those weekly miles? Here are a few running tips for keeping warm when the temperatures begin to drop.
Layer Up
You’ve heard it before and I’m telling you again…the best defense against the cold is to dress in layers . Layering clothing traps air between the layers that insulates you against the cold. Think that fluffy down coat is warm because the down is a good insulator. Wrong! It’s the air trapped between the feathers that does the heavy lifting to keep you toasty.
You can remove layers as your body temperature increases . The only thing worse than being cold on a run is sweating in your own personal sauna when it’s freezing outside.
Beware of the Wind
Remember that the air trapped around your body is the real insulator. Without a windproof jacket, that warm layer of insulating air surrounding your body is constantly stripped away leaving you chilled to the bone. Wind jackets vary dramatically in technical features, and in price, from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars.
Try to purchase high quality jackets as the cheaper ones may make you sweat a lot quicker . The pricier jackets tend to be made with fancy technical fabrics like Gore-Tex that keep wind and water out, but allow moisture to escape.
Personally, I’m incredibly cheap and opt for a less expensive wind jacket that contains a marvelous, technological wonder that allows me to control the amount of moisture release based on conditions. It’s called a zipper.
The mid-priced jackets tend to be made with water and wind resistant materials and have multiple zipper vents that lets you adjust the amount of ventilation depending on current conditions. For those looking for a functional jacket that won’t break the bank, I would suggest one of these mid-priced items.
Stay Away from Cotton Clothing
Cotton is the most common fabric used in clothing, but it is a terrible choice for athletic clothing . Cotton absorbs sweat and doesn’t wick it away from your body. The sweat doesn’t evaporate, the clothing sticks to you, then chafing ensues. Not good.
You can find most sportswear for outdoor running a your local sporting goods store . And it doesn’t have to be expensive. Prices for this type of clothing have dropped dramatically in the last few years if you are willing to buy things that are not name brands. Don’t expect to save a bundle buying things made by Nike or Under Armour.
Don’t Forget To Hydrate
Even if you don’t feel thirsty in the cold weather, it is imperative that you remain hydrated . Dehydration is as big a problem in winter because people forget to drink. The more dehydrated you become, the more you will be susceptible to the cold and to hypothermia. Remember to drink, drink, drink.
I hope these running tips help you endure the cold weather running!
