Running in 0°F

Written on Sunday December, 31, 2017

Each morning I wake up and the first thing I do is grab my phone and check the weather. Today it looked like this:

It's the last day of 2017. On the first day of 2017, I was running in the cold. On the last day of 2017, I'm going to be running in 0°F temperature. Here is why I'm not crazy:

#1 I hate the gym and want to be outside
#2 Running on a treadmill is not an option. If you are a runner you are automatically opening yourself up for injury due to overuse. I believe that the treadmill is an opportunity for injury (and this theory I will save for another post).
#3 I live in the Northeast of the United States, temperatures range from -16°F to 100°F in a year. (I'm just guessing on those temps but they should be accurate as I have said, I check the weather every day.) As a runner, I need to be able to run in any kind of weather.
#4 With proper planning and appropriate gear, I promise you, you won't freeze to death!

Let me now take you through my preparations and on through post-run recovery.

We have 4 seasons here in the NorthEast. I have running gear for all seasons. Since we are in the midst of the winter season, at all times I have my gear ready by the door. So today I lay out my gear starting with my base layers.

I'm using an Under Armour long sleeve mock turtleneck, Craft running tights, and SmartWool wool socks. My tights are thick and can be used for running as well as under ski pants. They are thicker than my UnderArmour shirt because I won't be layering anything over them. Also, my lower body does not usually get as cold as my upper body. Wool socks are great because they are thick, warm, and wool stays pretty dry, even if you are sweating. The key is to stay dry. Wet and cold is not a good combination. Make sure your base layers are made of a moisture wicking fabric. There you go, tip #1!

Next up, you start building on your base layers. I choose a down sweater to go over my long sleeve turtleneck, and over that I go with a windproof shell. This will keep all of the warmth inside and keep any of the cold from going through.

Next, you need to make sure all of your extremities are covered. This includes your face! I wear lighter running gloves because I'm moving and my hands just need to be covered. They will warm up. I also wear a Turtle Fur neck and face cover. This gives me protection above where my coat stops and up and over the bottom of my face and nose. The only thing visible when I start my run are my eyes. I pull my hat down to about my eyebrows. Nothing is exposed. Also in this picture you can see my gaiters. They go on over my shoes to about my knees. These will keep the snow out of my socks, shoes, and off my tights. Another picture of my gaiters after I put them on is just below.

Lastly, you see my running shoes. Because it is snowy and icy, you can see that I have drilled about 1/4" screws into the soles of my shoes. Some people choose to wear Yak Traks or something similar that are basically metal springs that you strap on to your shoes, but I find those to be a little more cumbersome. I have found that the screws keep me upright and balanced without adding any extra weight to my feet. If you are going to try the screw method, make sure to try it out on an older pair of shoes. I keep these shoes just for ice and snow running.

Now, before I head out, I do a few things. I never run without my morning coffee! It's also good to put on some chapstick so that your lips don't dry out. I also usually put a layer of coconut oil all over my face to help keep my skin from drying out too. I also made myself a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Having something in your belly also keeps you warm, in my opinion.

So here we go, out into the cold. When I'm starting out my run, I keep my neck warmer (Turtle Fur) up over my mouth and nose because that first burst of cold that you feel on your face and breathe into your lungs is intense. After I get going and start getting warm, I usually pull it down so that I can breathe better. Always check your footing and keep an eye on the ground for patches of ice. Now it's smooth sailing.

There are so many benefits to running in the cold. In the winter, you can be assured that you will not run into another living soul, or animal for that matter. It is absolutely and completely quiet, no animals scurrying, no water running. The peacefulness and solitude can really give you a chance to let go of the busyness of life. Fresh air is fresh air, no matter if it is warm, hot, or cold. Breathing in the outside air is good for you, and so are rosy cheeks.

Today I did about 4 miles. Take care not to stop when it is really cold. When you stop, it is a chance for you to cool down and moisture to chill you. So keep going, even if you are going at a slower pace. Here are some views from the road today:

When I get home, I have a bunch of things that I do. No, you're not done yet! First, strip off all of your clothes, especially those base layers that are now wet and will begin to chill you. Hang everything up so that it can dry. I recommend washing those base layers but drying them out and wearing them the next day is ok too. I always put my shoes on a boot dryer to dry them out and so that they are ready for the next day.

I run a warm bath using all of my favorite ingredients. If your skin is really cold, usually the upper part of my legs can be pretty cold and numb, you want a warm bath vs. a hot bath. Once your skin warms up you can then adjust the temperature of your bath. I always take a bath in Epsom Salts which have a lot of Magnesium in them. Epsom salts also flush toxins from your body and help reduce inflammation. I also add baking soda to my baths to help neutralize alkalinity, promote circulation, encourage healing, and can relieve tension and pain. Lastly, I add coconut oil to the bath to help moisturize my dry skin. *Make sure you give your tub a good scrub after your bath so that you don't slip on the coconut oil residue.

After I put on warm and dry clothes, I make myself a hot cup of tea. I usually add honey and, again coconut oil! Sipping on hot tea, in my warm clothes, after a long run, and I am feeling great.