08 Feb Five tips for cold-weather runners

Some people’s love for running outside keeps them on the move almost year-round, even in parts of the country where freezing temperatures and snow shut down cities and towns for days at a time.
If you are a polar bear type of runner, or would like to get outdoors more in the winter, here are five tips to help with cold-weather running:
Wear layers – Dress in snug-fitting layers to keep it warmth.
Get moisture wicking clothes – There are many options available for moisture wicking clothes that will help whisk sweat away.
Plan your layers – When temperatures reach single digits or colder, here’s a good plan for your clothing layers: Wear polypropylene on your base, fleece or cotton sweats in middle and breathable outer layer, and for legs go with compression shorts and tights under whatever type of sweatpants or running pants you prefer.
Pick the right accessories – Wear two pairs of socks (you might want to look into synthetic socks), a face mask in extreme cold, a winter hat and gloves. Also make sure to have reflective material on your clothing if there’s any chance it will start to get dark while out running.
Walk the course first – It always helps to walk your outdoor course first so you know and safety concerns and can spot potentially icy spots or even chuckholes.
Stay close to home – Keep your runs close to home in case you want to make a clothing change or you need to get out of the cold for any reason. Wants you feel more comfortable, then start stretching out the runs a little farther form home. One idea is to run out to a certain point, then turn around and pass your house and keep going in a different direction then if everything is OK.

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com