It’s no secret the
winter season is racing towards us at a fast pace. Training during these months
can prove to be difficult and also dangerous if cold weather precautions are
not met. Just because the weather is cold though, doesn’t mean we should have
to sacrifice our training schedules. Here are some do’s, don’ts, and tips for
training safely in the cold weather.
Ask a Doctor
If you have been
diagnosed with asthma, then I’m sorry to say, but training outdoors in the cold
is not for you. It’s a risk to your lungs and that’s not a good risk to take.
If you have poor blood flow circulation, or have had heart problems check with
your doctor before training outside. Don’t risk your life to train in the cold;
it’s never worth it.
Know the Limit
Training when it is too
cold out proves to be more of a hassle and danger than the rewards of training.
Some people recommend not training outdoors if the temperature is below zero,
but most people agree that 15 degrees below Fahrenheit is the lowest you
want to workout in. This is mostly to avoid frostbite and hyperthermia, but it
is also to avoid wind-chill, which can speed up the process of frostbite and
hyperthermia.
Pile on the Clothes
Layers are essential for
training when it’s cold. Your first layer should be something moisture
wicking. The second layer should be insulating like wool or fleece, heavy-duty
fabrics that don’t get cold when they get wet. The third layer, if you choose
to wear a third, should protect you against the wind and wick away water. By
all means, avoid cotton. Cotton does not help you keep warm and it makes you
sweat, which increases your chance of hyperthermia. A nice guide to how many
layers are necessary for the temperature (in Fahrenheit) is below.
Between 10 and 20
degrees follow the 2 by 2: 2 layers on top and two layers for your legs. In
this range and below you want something to protect you from the wind.
Between 0 to 10 degrees
it’s necessary to add another top layer and if you are usually subjected to
being a popsicle in the cold, like me, then you probably want a fleece layer to
keep warm. A run beanie is a great way to keep your head warm
Below 0 degrees it is
essential and highly recommended to add mittens and scarves. This is to protect
your fingertips from frostbite and your face from wind chill.
Below 10 degrees you
should have 3 tops and 3 bottoms, layer your mittens and scarves and be sure to
protect your eyes. We recommend staying indoors for these temperatures.
Thawing Out
It’s important to warm
up before training in any season, but it is especially important to warm up
your body before going out in the cold. This will get your blood flowing so
when you do get out in the cold your body is already warm physically and ready
for exercise. Don’t make training outside an up hill battle; you don’t want to
climb the metaphorical mountain of trying to make yourself warm when you are
literally climbing a snowy mountain.
Hydration
In the summer months it
goes without saying, stay hydrated, but in winter months when you are already
freezing, the last thing on your mind is ice-cold water. While your water
doesn’t have to be ice-cold, you do have to hydrate yourself. One of my friends
likes to set reminder alarms on her phone for when she needs to drink water.
Whenever the alarm goes off, she takes a sip to stay hydrated with her hydration vest. Whether you set
timers or remind yourself without any alarms remember to drink water while you
train.
Snow Proof
Shoes are one area where
water seeps in easily. Prevent freezing your toes off by using shoes that have
as little mesh as possible, and are insulated from the outside conditions.
Finding good shoes may feel almost impossible with running shoes, but
if you minimize the amount of water that gets into your shoes from the snow,
you can dramatically minimize how freezing your feet will feel. Oh, and be sure
to layer your socks; your toes need the warmth.
Final Thoughts
Training in the cold
weather may be a bit more time consuming as far as preparedness, but it’s worth
it to keep your body in shape. I also find that training outside in the cold
prevents me from going stir crazy in the house, whereas it’s nice to stay warm,
it’s also nice to have scenery. Before braving the cold take precautions and
stay healthy.
Stay Toasty and Happy
Training!
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