How To Run In Snow and Ice
Before I moved to New York City, I’d seen snow maybe three times in my life. I lived in San Diego, California where it never dips below #SportsBraSquad weather. I think it’s safe to say that those first few years, I was a fair-weather runner.
During my first winter in NYC, I NEVER ran outside. I hated the treadmill but I hated cold weather more so I spent that frigid first winter gritting my teeth in a gym. Over the years, I’ve gotten MUCH more comfortable with the seasons. ESPECIALLY winter.
But learning how to run in snow and ice takes trial and error. And it’s safe to say that we all have different preferences. So take these with a grain of salt and don’t be afraid of turning to our online Badass Lady Gang community to crowdsource different tips and tricks if these don’t work for you.
Here are my tried and true tips for running in snow and ice.
1. DO IT!
I used to scoff at people when they’d say, “There’s no such thing as “good” running weather. Just bad clothing.” But turns out, it’s true. The secret to cold weather running is layers. Layers help wick sweat away from your body while also trapping heat to keep you warm. You can always ditch a layer but you can’t add clothing you don’t have. If it’s exceptionally cold, you want:
A base layer that sits tight against your skin.
A mid-layer that is a little looser and insulates.
An outer layer that protects you from the elements (think a rain/snow shell).
2. Wear shoes with traction.
If there is a lot of snow and ice on the ground, I like to wear YakTrax. These are cleats that grip into the ground. Don’t wait until the first big snowstorm. Get them now. Many runners also prefer to get trail running shoes or screw shoes into their trail running shoes. But I’m a city slicker who runs in snow a handful of times a year. So YakTrax is perfect for me.
3. Wool socks!
WOOL IS YOUR BEST FRIEND ALL WINTER LONG. These are my go-to cheap wool winter running socks.
4. If you aren’t used to snow and cold weather running, overdress and strip as you go.
This is probably the best piece of advice I can give. You have to figure out what works for you. No infographic is going to tell you if you run hot or cold. Worst case scenario when you overdress, you ditch a layer and wear it around your waist or tucked into a piece of clothing.
5. Cover your ears.
Super cold? Wear a hat that covers your ears. Moderately cold? Go for a buff or headband that covers your ears. But cover those ears!
6. Stay hydrated.
You’d be surprised at how quickly we all stop hydrating when it’s not hot. You still have to drink water and sports drink during longer runs and efforts. Stay hydrated!
7. Play let it go at least once.
I mean, if you don’t pretend to be Elsa at least once, are you even having fun?
8. Slow down and take short steps.
No one needs a reenactment of everyone’s favorite meme. Slow down and take short steps. Hopefully, armed with your trail shoes or YakTrax, this won’t be you. But even if it is, ain’t no shame in falling. I fall even without snow on the ground because I’m a clutz.
9. Take pictures.
The snow is the perfect time to #runselfierepeat. Again, find ways to have more fun.
10. If it’s really cold, have a dance party in your house before you go.
Jumping jacks, dance party, jumping up in down — they all do the same thing. Get your blood moving and warm up by dancing it out to a song or two when it’s real cold.
11. Cover your hands.
I am the Queen of losing gloves on the run. I get too hot and shove them into pockets and lose them. These are my favorite cheap mittens because you can let your fingers breathe on days when it’s cold but not too cold.
On especially cold days, I put hand warmers in my pockets, in my buff on the back of my neck, and in my gloves.
12. Aquaphor on the lips.
Chapped lips are PARTICULARLY painful during the winter months. I keep little travel-size Aquaphor tubes on me to apply during longer runs.
There you have it! My tried and true snow running tips and tricks! Just remember on those days when you’re shaking like a leaf and regretting your life choices, remember how hot and miserable summer running is. The grass is always greener gang. Just slow down, bundle up, and blast let it go a few times. Find the fun in winter running!
Love,
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