It's Better Than A Treadmill

Photo by Daniel Bowman on Unsplash

I am not a fan of running in the cold…there I said it, and by cold, I mean below 25 degrees. However, I am a bigger fan of NOT running on a treadmill.

So…I run in the cold. If the thermometer reads in double digits I will run.

With new technology in clothing, it has become bearable.

Here are some things that help me get started and through a cold run:

• make a commitment to run the night before
• lay out all the layers of clothing the night before (extra layers just in case)
• always wear gloves, and for me, gloves with mitten wind covers work best
• always wear a hat that covers my ears. I can’t stand for my ears to be cold
• below 20 degrees have something to cover your face, at least for the first mile
• don't overdress. A great rule to follow is dress for 20 degrees warmer than what the thermometer says.

The first mile is the worst, it is still cold and my body had not begun to generate enough heat for high tech clothes to hold in. If it is really cold, below 20 degrees, I will often warm-up some inside before heading out.  That warm-up can be as simple as a one or two minutes of jumping jacks or jogging in place.

Staying healthy is a commitment to a 'lifestyle.' There will be obstacles to a healthy lifestyle, you will have to navigate around.  Running, outside in the cold, can be an obstacle for some,  but it can be navigated.   

Get out there. Go for a run.