When my parents first moved north of Toronto, they used to go for walks on their little cottage road in the winter, sometimes gingerly placing their feet so as not so slip on the ice. Their neighbours would run by (not walk, RUN) at a good clip, not seeming to be the least concerned about foot placement. After a few days of witnessing the sureness of foot of their neighbours, my parents stopped a passing runner to ask.
Their secret: Yak traks. These ice grippers attach to the bottom of your boots or shoes. As the name suggests, they grip the ice and you do not slip.
So far, we’ve had it easy this winter in London, Ontario. No heavy snow. No super cold temperatures. I haven’t had to test my commitment. The true test will come when the temperature drops well below zero (Celsius) for days at a time and snow and ice set in. Yak traks are not my only concern.
I’m serious about completing the 10 week “ease into 10K” program this winter — not necessarily in ten weeks, but certainly by the time the thaw sets in in late March I want to be comfortable with the time and distance it takes to run 10K.
If that’s going to happen, I need to make sure I have the right gear for winter running. That way I won’t be able to use the weather as an excuse unless we’re having a blizzard.
Everything I’ve read screams out: NO COTTON. Cotton holds moisture and makes you cold. They also recommend three layers on the upper body: the base layer, the insulation layer (optional, depends on how cold it is), and the outer layer to protect you from the wind. Light materials that wick moisture away from the body are essential for the base and insulating layers. So far, I’ve been doing well running in our moderate temperatures with my snowboarding clothes. I get hot easily when I board. Over the years I’ve found the right combination of layers to keep me toasty on the slopes even on the coldest day.
What I have not contended with yet is snow, ice, or windchill. As a result, I haven’t bothered with an outer layer. My snowboarding jacket is too heavy. I will need to get an outer layer for running. Recommended materials for the outer shell are thintech, isofilm, and activent. These materials are all light, warm, and breathable. There is nothing worse for getting cold and staying cold than sweating under an outer layer that does not breathe.
So far, I’m using one layer of Under Armor leggings on my legs. These are all I ever wear under my snowboarding pants, and they have been totally reliable for the mild winter running I’ve experienced. We’ll see how they do when it’s colder. I’m considering a slightly heavier pair, but am pretty sure that two layers on my lower body will be too much for me.
As with any winter sport, the winter runner loses a lot of heat through her head and hands. A hat and gloves or mitts made of synthetic material that wicks the moisture away is a good choice. I like to keep my ears warm and am experimenting with different hats. The ski toque is too warm. But the light hat I’ve been wearing lately might not be enough for mid-winter. On a really cold day, I have a half mask that covers my nose and mouth. I don’t like wearing it on the slopes because I feel claustrophobic. I think it would be even worse for running. Maybe on a *really* cold day I’ll just stay indoors and do some time on the elliptical machine.
And what about Yak Traks? Unlike my parents, I live in an urban area where sidewalks and roads are cleared after heavy snowfall. The sidewalks are uneven — some spots icy, some exposed. This makes ice grippers a bit risky. They grip the ice, but if you hit cleared sidewalk it is like being on ice *without* yak traks. Several of my local running friends have said they LOVE winter running and they have never owned Yak Traks or any kind of ice gripper.
So, those are my plans for winter running gear. I will balance the winter running with some extra hot yoga classes. Winter is the very best time for hot yoga. The studio never feels quite as welcoming as it does on a cold, snowy, windy winter day.
If you have any suggestions about winter running and winter running gear, please send them my way!
Here are some further resources about winter running gear:
http://running.about.com/od/coldweatherrunning/a/wintergear.htm
http://www.jogging-guide.com/winter-running-gear.html
http://tessandjess.wordpress.com/2011/11/24/how-to-run-outside-in-the-winter-and-keep-your-a-warm/
[photo credit: Get Fit with Les, November 24, 2012]
I love winter running–especially in the snow! In mid-Michigan, the roads and sidewalks are usually cleared pretty quickly, and it’s actually easier to fall when I’m walking (carrying books or just not paying careful attention to where I’m stepping). I bought yak traks a few years ago, but I’ve never even used them.
I’ve also found that I don’t need that many layers–just a shell and a long sleeve tech shirt, and running pants (one layer on my legs), unless it gets down into the teens or single-digits (Farentheit).
For years my biggest problem was my hands, and then I discovered handwarmers–those packets that you open and then they stay warm for hours. I wear a thin glove liner and mittens, with a handwarmer in between each glove and mitten.
It’s also essential for me to keep my head and neck warm, but to do so in a way that’s adjustable. I wear a windproof hat that comes down over my ears (but doen’t cover my face). And on top of that, I wear a thin fleece neckwarmer that I put under my chin and pull up over the top of my head so that it’s taut. If my face is cold, I can pull the bottom part over my chin, and/or over my mouth and nose (and then I breathe through the neckwarmer).
Enjoy the winter! We’ve got our first snowfall here, and I’m looking forward to an afternoon run.
Thank you so m:)uch for sharing your winter running gear choices with me. That’s super helpful. The hat with the fleece neck warmer sounds perfect. I’m going to get myself that combo. 🙂
I wear a shell and a long sleeve shirt of wicking fabric. When things get colder I wear three layers on top. I wear running tights and those seem fine. I love my winter running beanie. My hands are the only big issue and I wear liner gloves and shell mitts. The other issue when I was running lots was wet running shoes. I bought a second pair so I’d always have a dry pair. And I wear wool running socks in the winter.
I also found that in winter, much more than summer, I liked to have company to run with and to go out for coffee/hot chocolate with after.
on days between 27F and 40F, I wear a long sleeve wool base layer (smartwool or ice breakers) and my Sugoi versa jacket–it wicks moisture, protects from wind and is water resistant, and the sleeves attach with magnets, so if it’s closer to 40F and I’m getting too warm, I can just rip the sleeves off while running (and stuff them in my pocket). If it’s under 20F, I wear a short sleeve base layer, my Marmot lightweight, moisture wicking fleece and the Sugoi jacket. I always have smartwool socks on my feet (winter or summer) and either compression tights or thermal tights. Mittens (with the tops that pull back) and a wool hat. so far, so good.