Now that summer has been over for a few weeks, and cold fall temperatures are creeping in, it’s important to get into some good habits when it comes to preparing for cold weather runs. If living in Dayton for the past three years, and Cleveland for the first 18, has taught me anything it’s that the weather in the fall can be wildly unpredictable. It can be 20 degrees and snowy one day while soaring to a balmy 40 degrees with soul-crushing wind. There are some easy things to take note of, however, to take to make your lovely fall run more bearable.
Dressing for the part
Think Under Armour, but with no logo
You’ve seen them. I’ve seen them. I am one of them. That’s right, I’m talking about runner’s wearing running tights. Women may not think twice about wearing them as they a part of a regular wardrobe, but some guys may think that they are losing a little bit of their masculinity by donning skin tight compression tights. Despite what you may think, running tights are just one of the many essentials for any serious runner. While most stores like Champs Sports and Dick’s Sporting Goods often advertise them at more than $70, you can get a great pair that will do the job in the same way at Target or Walmart for around $10. This goes the same for long sleeve compression shirts, if you get the off brand you can save 70% while getting the same quality.
Your extremities are also extremely important as they are the parts of your body which get cold first, and are most susceptible to frostbite. Usually in temperatures above 45 degrees with little wind, there should be no need for a hat or gloves. Anything below that with wind can leave you with the possibility of frostbite, so it’s always good to have gloves handy. My personal favorite are these Nike running gloves, which include a small pocket for your keys. Most experts say that between 30-40% of your body heat is lost through your head, this becomes evident on a cold day when you see steam coming from your head, so a small cap or knit hat will work great.
Where/How to run
When running on a colder day, you should definitely approach your run differently than you would if there were more
Runner on the right: Cold weather dress fail
favorable weather conditions. First of all, if you are running in the snow or rain, make sure to consider the road/path conditions. Try not to start a new route that you haven’t experience before, as getting lost or injured in the cold can increase the dangers of frostbite tenfold.
If you are running a long distance, try to figure for the wind. If you are running a loop, try and make the run end with you running with the wind, as this will decrease the chances of getting hypothermia. Also, if you choose to run in the snow or rain, try not to run very long with wet clothes, as this will greatly increase the chances of you getting hypothermia or frostbite.
Races This Weekend
Saturday October 23
Blaze of Glory 5k Run/Walk @ 9 a.m., 401 Albert Road, Brookville, Ohio Register Here
MooreHeart 5 miler @ 9 a.m., Springboro Junior High, Springboro, Ohio Register Here
Fairbrook Foxes 5k @ 9 a.m., Fairbrook Elementary School, Beavercreek, Ohio Register Here
Germantown Country Classic 17k (10.6 mi.) @ 8:30 a.m., Kercher Park, Germantown, Ohio (only $9!) Register Here
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