How to cope with the winter ?

Spirogyra

Hi it's getting very wet, will be getting colder, how does one cope? a body warmer? 'pull-ups'?- the latter can be heavy and intrusive?

Thanks
S

IvoryTower

i got a few under armour tops in aldi over the weekend, 7.99 each, half the cheapest price I could find anywhere else!

Ososlo

Run a bit faster
It never gets that cold really. I'd wear the same gear as summer with maybe a pair of gloves or sometimes a little wind breaker or light running jacket.
Some people wear base layers but wouldn't see the need personally.

RacoonQueen

I still wear shorts and a t-shirt in winter. Maybe throw a windbreaker on when I'm starting, but usually have that taken off within 10 minutes or so. It's rarely cold enough here to need to layer up.

ThisRegard

You don't cope with it, you embrace it !

A cold frosty night, with that unique smell in the air, is great to run in. Rain is no issue either, you'll only feel the cold when you stop, although the driving rain right into the face can be sore.

If you wrap up too well you'll be roasting within a kilometre.

rom

A pair of cycling arm warmers, not running ones.

Spirogyra

I don't really embrace the idea of embracing it, maybe with the right protection I might but not in the wet weather I wok up to...I know that during a run, if the weather turns, it's an awful lot easier, your out there, in the middle of it, warm from internal combustion, but it's very hard to leave the house in that....

ThisRegard

Horses for courses I suppose. I enjoy being out in the bad weather, rain like this morning I'm fine with. I have a decent OMM running jacket that is as breathable as a rain jacket could be, I wear long sleeves under it purely because sweaty arms against the jacket aren't very comfortable. But apart from that, I don't layer up. Once you're moving, you heat up fairly quick.

I've found that if you have a cheap rain jacket it either cooks you, or holds onto the moisture like a soggy tissue negating any perceived benefit it might have when first put on.

On Monday I stuck on a pair of light running gloves, once my hands were warm I took them off and stuck them in my pocket.

Ososlo

^^
ageee. Love it too if not doing a session. Take it for what it is and let the elements dictate the effort.
My most memorable and favourite run last year was on one of the stormiest nights of the year. What's the worst that can happen... you get wet but that's fun!!

Spirogyra

company too can make a huge difference, this morning the rain is very heavy and Im alone.... a body warmer from an average sports store? is there any waterproof leggings?
Sarah

rom

Ososlo wrote: »

What's the worst that can happen

Running through Cork flooded last year I thought the same. Crazy to be running in a city when a powercut hits and everything goes dark. However when I got home I had a think about it. Running through flooded streets is not a good idea as water can pop manhole covers off. High winds is the only weather I don't run in.

Duanington

a pair of gloves and maybe a long sleeved top...sure you'll be good and warm after a few minutes running anyway...and too warm with much else on !

jebuz

Ah here, HTFU will you It's a bit of cold and wet, it's not something you need to "cope" with. You just wrap up and get on with it like everyone else. Sure it can be horrible for the first mile or so but as a few have said above you just warm up eventually and hardly notice it after a while, just don't wrap up too much, it gets uncomfortable. Get into a group/club if you can it can take your mind off the weather.

Getting through the difficult weather months is extremely satisfying mentally, just know that while you're out there slogging through the wind and rain hammering down on you, there's others who decided to cop out and sit at home on the sofa or confine themselves to the treadmill. You'll get to March/April much stronger and ready to tackle anything, your reward will be a blisteringly hot summer where you long for those cool winter nights

Bought myself some lovely new Ronhill leggings and matching thermal long sleeve at the marathon expo. Got a free pink hat and gloves with them. Thought I was deadly.

Waste of time! I start off shivering but I'm bleedin roasters after 10 minutes

I absolutely love running in the rain though. Love it. So I'm probably not a good person to ask. The dark is taking some getting used to though, I don't like that so much.

DogSlySmile

IvoryTower wrote: »

i got a few under armour tops in aldi over the weekend, 7.99 each, half the cheapest price I could find anywhere else!

Really? which store?

kit3

The one thing that would put me off is ice - I'm terrified of falling Any thoughts on how to cope with that ?

whelzer

Deleted User wrote: »

The dark is taking some getting used to though, I don't like that so much.

Been running in P Park 2-3 evenings a week for last month or so. I now have a mental picture of my routes that would do a homing pigeon proud. I've developed an almost sixth sense regarding potholes, dips, pavements and other ankle destroying obstacles... By the end on winter I'll be running blindfolded!:eek:

Krusty_Clown

kit3 wrote: »

The one thing that would put me off is ice - I'm terrified of falling Any thoughts on how to cope with that ?

I've tried lots of things like running on higher ground (worked fine, but lots of ice getting to the higher ground (and herniated disc in back after falling on the way back down), Yaktrax - work fine on ice, but when you're commute involves 20% icy conditions and the rest is concrete it's not a very workable solution, and running in parks/fields (terribly boring). There just doesn't seem to be any way to avoid it. I find that a fall is usually down to over-confidence and when I expect the worst, I'm usually better off.

rodge68

Did a short 5k last night in 4 degrees, I love the cold. Got a luminous long sleee top in Aldi recently and a pair of gloves(that are quickly removed) Thats it for me anyway, i find baselayers way too warm !!

Chivito550

HTFU is right. This is Ireland, not Siberia, Northern Norway or Alaska.

RayCun

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I've tried lots of things like running on higher ground

wouldn't ice be more common on higher ground?

whelzer

whelzer wrote: »

Been running in P Park 2-3 evenings a week for last month or so. I now have a mental picture of my routes that would do a homing pigeon proud. I've developed an almost sixth sense regarding potholes, dips, pavements and other ankle destroying obstacles... By the end on winter I'll be running blindfolded!:eek:

I tried running in cabinteely park a week or so ago. I was terrified of going on my snot. I couldn't tell where the paths were at all. It's pitch pitch black so I'll be sticking to the roads I think!

Krusty_Clown

RayCun wrote: »

wouldn't ice be more common on higher ground?

When ice is on lower ground, snow is more common on higher ground.

Deleted User wrote:

I tried running in cabinteely park a week or so ago. I was terrified of going on my snot. I couldn't tell where the paths were at all. It's pitch pitch black so I'll be sticking to the roads I think!

I was doing some XC training yesterday on the grass in Cabinteely Park. Despite the spikes, I slipped turning a corner, and slid 15 feet down the hill on my arse. Wheee!

Krusty_Clown

Chivito550 wrote: »

HTFU is right. This is Ireland, not Siberia, Northern Norway or Alaska.

Ah now... I doubt you'll be hitting the paths of Dublin as soon as the ice descends..

Krusty_Clown

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I was doing some XC training yesterday on the grass in Cabinteely Park. Despite the spikes, I slipped turning a corner, and slid 15 feet down the hill on my arse. Wheee!

Wellll - truth be told. The night I abandoned running in the park (I did go and run on the road I swear) - I went into the playground with my running buddy and we went on the slides, and the zipline, and the swings

Then we went on the obstacle course thingy and I couldn't see where I was going and went up in the air and back down on my arse.

Took me ages to get back up from laughing so much. Bloody hurt though :P

Chivito550

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Ah now... I doubt you'll be hitting the paths of Dublin as soon as the ice descends..

Ice is a different story because it is dangerous and can cause injury. But running in 6 degrees celcius with wind and rain? Sure it's not fun, but it's nothing in comparison to what most of Europe, North America and Asia have to deal with in winter.

crisco10

Also, aside from maybe one run a week (the LSR); you will only be out in the cold for an hour or less. It's not that long to be out!

Ice is a pain in the ass. literally.

IvoryTower

DogSlySmile wrote: »

Really? which store?

Drogheda, but I assume the same gear was rolled out to all stores

Slow_Runner

Chivito550 wrote: »

Ice is a different story because it is dangerous and can cause injury. But running in 6 degrees celcius with wind and rain? Sure it's not fun, but it's nothing in comparison to what most of Europe, North America and Asia have to deal with in winter.

http://youtu.be/UPTt6MgsOt8

Chivito550

Slow_Runner wrote: »

http://youtu.be/UPTt6MgsOt8

Fully deserved.

What's an "expert jogger" by the way. First time I've heard that.

The Muppet

I love running in the rain. I find I always do my best runs in those conditions. I wear the same gear as I do in the summer shorts and a running top. Ok it's cold when you go out but it only takes a few minutes to warm up.

Netwerk Errer

kit3 wrote: »

The one thing that would put me off is ice - I'm terrified of falling Any thoughts on how to cope with that ?

This may sound and look a little mental but it works a treat. Cheap and cheerful. I'd recommend using an old pair of runners.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s41_PRHYxfA

Edit: better video

pgmcpq

Netwerk Errer wrote: »

This may sound and look a little mental but it works a treat. Cheap and cheerful. I'd recommend using an old pair of runners.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s41_PRHYxfA

Edit: better video

+1. This is what I have done for the last few years and it has kept me outdoors in temps of down to -15C. It will not keep you upright on black ice - nothing will - but is pretty effective otherwise provided you don't get over confident. I don't recommend the power drill :eek:. Choose the shoes carefully. I use a heavier shoe and put one or two screws in the middle of shoe near the toes - just forward of the ball of the foot.. I find having the grip where the shoe initially lands helpful provided you can do this without feeling it through the shoe. Unlike the yaktraks, etc, there is no real problem moving from ice to pavement.

For the rest there is little that good running tights, gloves (I recommend the thin silk undergloves that skiers use they are very light and can be rolled into a small ball in a pocket), a thin hat, and layered shirts.

In fairness I run in cold but generally dry conditions, rain and cold present a different problem.

menoscemo

Netwerk Errer wrote: »

This may sound and look a little mental but it works a treat. Cheap and cheerful. I'd recommend using an old pair of runners.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s41_PRHYxfA

Edit: better video

Loads of us did that a few winters ago when the big freeze was on there was a thread on it with various pictures.
I even stuck a cheese grater to my old pegasus for extra grip!!

However since I discovered the YakTrax just after that there is no going back to this for me (although there hasn't been a good opportunity to properly test them out yet ). Maybe this winter will give us a chance.

As Krusty says these types of setups are only good when there is snow and ice everywhere, you need temperatures to be constantly below zero. We generally get conditions wheere paths and roads are 90% runnable with a bit of blackice here and there.

DarByrne1980

The Muppet wrote: »

I love running in the rain. I find I always do my best runs in those conditions. I wear the same gear as I do in the summer shorts and a running top. Ok it's cold when you go out but it only takes a few minutes to warm up.

I agree - 2 b honest the actual winter season sometimes isnt the wosrt. I think sometimes running in February or March is worse. Da wind wud skin ya as my mother used to say.

Ghost in Cratloe

jebuz wrote: »

Ah here, HTFU will you
Getting through the difficult weather months is extremely satisfying mentally, just know that while you're out there slogging through the wind and rain hammering down on you, there's others who decided to cop out and sit at home on the sofa or confine themselves to the treadmill. You'll get to March/April much stronger and ready to tackle anything, your reward will be a blisteringly hot summer where you long for those cool winter nights

So running on a treadmill is copping out?
If I were young I would rather be a sub 30 minutes 10k athlete who runs on the treadmill in gale force winds than a 40 minutes 10km runner who is so 'brave' to tackle the elements. Race times determine everything in this sport when it comes to how athletes train.

DubOnHoliday

How to cope with the winter ? Run more !

Spirogyra

will one normally get a cold if it's raining very heavily as it was this morning? ...

Ruu

I wore running tights once last year and it was one of the worst winters in a while for the midwest USA. I only really worry about my top half (and the ballage area). Underarmour coldgear top and some other longsleeve on top of that. Got a good Colombia rain jacket for when the rain and wind comes in, will be needing those when daytime highs are -10C.

pconn062

I don't care about sounding like a wimp, I hate running in the wind and rain. Cold I can take no problem, love a nice, fro sty day but about 4 or 5 times in the last week I've had to run in heavy rain and strong winds and it sucks. I still do it because I have to train and don't own a treadmill but it's no fun whatsoever.

gerard_65

Spirogyra wrote: »

will one normally get a cold if it's raining very heavily as it was this morning? ...

No. A cold is a virus, your more likely to catch a cold rubbing your eye.

Spirogyra

I do have memories of a particularily bad soaking, very extreme soaking, it was immediately followed by a very bad head cold......

gerard_65

As long as you don't hang around in damp clothes you'll be ok. If you hang around and get cold your immune system may weaken and you'll be more vulnerable to picking up virus's etc.
But you won't get a cold by simply getting wet while running in the rain.

jebuz

Ghost in Cratloe wrote: »

So running on a treadmill is copping out?
If I were young I would rather be a sub 30 minutes 10k athlete who runs on the treadmill in gale force winds than a 40 minutes 10km runner who is so 'brave' to tackle the elements. Race times determine everything in this sport when it comes to how athletes train.

I agree that race times determine how good an athlete is, that's obvious but nobody mentioned gale force winds. We're talking about typical Irish winter style cold and rain. Retreating to the treadmill on a night like tonight because it's 'cold and raining' is taking the easy option whether you like it not, an option that could potentially become a bad habit. Look I'm guilty, I've done it myself because I didn't want to be out of my comfort zone, it's just breaking that mentality.

I'm far from an experienced runner and I've a lot to learn but I believe becoming a good runner is as mental as it is physical and putting yourself through hardship is part of that journey. That said, nobody expect you to brave potentially dangerous gale force conditions, there is a line but you've got to make an honest judgement.

I don't know what point you're trying to make with the sub 30min and a 40min 10k runner, there's an incredible gulf of class between those two and running on a treadmill or running in gale force winds is not going to be that difference, ever.

Ghost in Cratloe

jebuz wrote: »

. Retreating to the treadmill on a night like tonight because it's 'cold and raining' is taking the easy option whether you like it not, an option that could potentially become a bad habit. Look I'm guilty, I've done it myself because I didn't want to be out of my comfort zone, it's just breaking that mentality.

.

A hill interval session on a treadmill with a high average heart rate for the entire workout provides a greater aerobic stimulus than say slogging around in the dark on a wet evening wishing you were inside. Now if running cross country then yes one must 'suck it up' and take their mud bath like a women when doing specific workouts.

Sometimes training is about getting the work done with as little mental suffering as possible so that one can store it for a race rather than having it drained out of them in training.


The Running Spoofer

ThisRegard

I don't even know where you're trying to go with your post. Are you saying that you can only slog in the wet and dark, and that the darkness keeps your heart rate down?

A sad attempt at trying to wind people up ?

Murph_D

Ireland has a temperate climate. Did ye know we are on a latitude with Newfoundland? I do put on the tights the odd time but that's mainly because I'm trying to get the use out if them. I won't be replacing them when they wear out. Cos they won't. But each to her own.

Just bumping this as I want to know if I'm mad to be considering wearing a a vest and capri pants for a half marathon tomorrow. It's due to be around 0/-1 in Portarlington but I'm afraid of overdressing. I got some gloves in dealz that I plan to throw away after a while if needed. Should I be wearing sleeves?

Ososlo

Deleted User wrote: »

Just bumping this as I want to know if I'm mad to be considering wearing a a vest and capri pants for a half marathon tomorrow. It's due to be around 0/-1 in Portarlington but I'm afraid of overdressing. I got some gloves in dealz that I plan to throw away after a while if needed. Should I be wearing sleeves?

I wouldn't dream of wearing a vest in a million years when racing or doing a faster session but I guess everyone is different.
I'd wear short and teeshirt with a pair of gloves if very cold as my hands really suffer from the cold. It's a personal thing though!
If you suffer badly from the cold you might be better off wearing a light top with another one over it that you can throw away if necessary rather than a vest as then you'd be stuck with 2 layers if you got too hot.

Oh by vest, I mean like sleeveless top. Tank top may be the proper term?

I'm more likely to get too warm, than too cold, but that's the coldest I'll ever have run in I think.

Ososlo

Deleted User wrote: »

Oh by vest, I mean like sleeveless top. Tank top may be the proper term?

If it'd be ok to run in then maybe wear that with another top over it that you'd be prepared to throw away. Today was pretty cold but the sun was very warm all the same and it didn't feel as cold as the temp suggested. Nothing worse than being too hot during a race!!! Being too cold is WAY better!