Beginner Tips for Cold Weather Runs

Welcome back to Unexpected Abundance! I’m so happy you’re back for another conversation. Depending on where you live, you’ve probably had to run in cold weather. And I don’t mean a slight chill either. I’m talking about a 6 am run when it’s 37 degrees outside and your body is still waking up. I live in Southern California, so I recognize that 37 degrees may not be cold for everyone, so don’t yell at me! With the LA Marathon taking place in March, I prepared for the race in the winter months and completed a majority of runs in cold weather. And with the sun setting at 5 pm, I had no choice but to run in the morning before work when it was the coldest. After a few runs in chilly temperatures, I knew I had to make adjustments to allow me to focus on the run and not on the elements. After making it through the winter months, I wanted to share my best tips for running in cold weather and maximizing your runs!

I. Running Gloves

I remember the day I decided to take action and finally purchase gloves. I went out for a run in October last year around 6 am, and my hands were freezing! I remember I was wearing a short sleeve shirt, leggings, wool socks, and my shoes. I had been wanting to buy gloves, but never took action. This day changed everything though. It was about 45 degrees, and my hands felt like ice blocks. Even though I had layers everywhere, my hands were exposed, and I never got comfortable during the run. I realized that since it was late October, the weather was only going to get colder during the winter months. After my run, I bought a pair of running gloves from New Balance on Amazon and I’ve never looked back! My gloves are lightweight, cozy, and allow me to use my phone if needed. I purchased the New Balance Cold Weather Performance Gloves for about $17 on Amazon, and I recommend it for anyone who runs in cold weather.

II. Running Beanie

Similar to the running gloves, I was out for a run in January and my ears were freezing. It didn’t help that it was windy, and my hair was in my face throughout the run. I went on Amazon and purchased a running beanie from the brand HASAGEI, and it was another game changer. The beanie fit like a skullcap and was comfortable around my ears. It has a warm fleece material that keeps my head and ears warm and doesn’t let sweat drip down my face. I bought this beanie for about $5 on Amazon, which is a great price for a reliable product.

III. Running Pants & Rain Jacket

I usually wear athletic sweatpants from Champion to keep me warm during runs in the winter, but they weren’t designed to be worn during rainy runs. The last few months have seen a normal amount of rain, but it rained a lot during the morning and on the weekends. Ironically, I go for my runs in the morning before work and I finish my long runs on Saturday. With the constant rainy weather, I knew I couldn’t avoid running because it would hinder my training and conditioning. I decided to gear up for the elements and purchased two pairs of New Balance athletic running pants that are waterproof. The inside of the pants had a soft fleece material that kept my legs warm, which allowed me to focus on the run instead of worrying about the elements. The pants are tapered and lightweight, which allowed my lower body to have breathing room. I purchased the running pants from TJ Maxx, costing about $17 per pair. Other athletic apparel companies have these pants too, so if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, I highly recommend getting a pair or two of these waterproof running pants.

To accompany the running pants, I purchased a rain jacket with a hoodie that I could use for runs. Part of the reason I purchased this jacket was to avoid getting sick from the rainy and cold weather. As a runner, getting sick during race prep is the worst because you have to recover from your illness, but you have to work even harder to get back to your conditioning level prior to getting sick. The jacket I purchased is from Amazon, and the brand is Outdoor Ventures. The jacket cost $33, but it does the job well. It has a hoodie that keeps my head dry from the rain and is really lightweight. Similar to the running pants, if you’re in an area with rainy weather, I highly recommend getting a running jacket.

Besides shopping online and directly from the running brands, I also suggest shopping at Marshall’s, Ross, and TJ Maxx. You can find amazing running gear for a low price. They have discounted gear from known brands like Nike, New Balance, Asics, Adidas, and Under Armour. Although not all the top running gear is found at these stores, you’d be surprised at what you’ll find for a great price. But, if you have the money to shop directly from the brands, then go for it. I’m just trying to give you running tips and maybe save you a few dollars!

IV. Dynamic Warm Up / Timed Warm Up

This one seems obvious, but warm up! Take some additional time to go through an extensive dynamic warmup, including high knees, A skips, B skips, straight leg bound, and lateral skips. Avoid static stretching to begin your run and instead complete it after your run. Your muscles and joints are usually stiff when you wake up, but they are stiffer when the weather is cold. If you run in the afternoon after a busy day at work or school, you may have less of an issue to get your body warm. But if you run in the morning like me, I suggest warming up a little more to get the body ready to perform in the chilly weather. Along with the dynamic warm up, I suggest completing a timed warm up during your run to get the body acclimated. It shouldn’t exceed 5 minutes since you’re completing the dynamic warm up prior to the warmup run, but if you need more time, feel free to do so.

V. Mindset

If you’re serious about running, then you’ll have to embrace the elements of each season. You’ll have to embrace the chilly mornings in the winter and the humid nights of the summer. The weather changes throughout the year, but that doesn’t mean it should dictate your training. I’m not saying that if it’s pouring heavy rain for a day that you should risk getting sick or injured just for the sake of the run either. Be smart and make the right decision when it comes to training in bad weather. If you’re able to run, great, and if not, then don’t worry about it. All I’m saying is to not let the elements stop you from running, when applicable. Again, if there’s a blizzard outside, or if there is lightning, don’t be dumb and run. But if there’s a little rain, get your rain jacket on and embrace the elements!

Thanks again for stopping by for another great conversation! As always, I truly enjoy writing these posts and sharing my experiences. I hope you’re getting something from the blog, and if you’re not, please let me know if there’s anything else you’d like me to write about! I’m always open to new ideas or if you have any questions, I’ll be glad to offer my expertise.

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Until next time. Happy running!