Hi!
I've been running in the cold for 2 years, and when I mean cold, I mean -20C!!! Yes, it is possible to run in the cold, but you have to wear the appropriate clothes. And when I mean appropriate, I don't mean expensive. Most of what I use are old clothes, especially the pants (I've even had to repair them a few times!). Here's what you need:
- a tuque (or ski hat). I strongly suggest one with a polar interior, it really keeps your head warm.
- a neoprene face mask: A MUST!!! Before I bought one, I would always cough for a day or two after running in winter. It is because of the cold air that goes in your system, it's not good when it gets below -5C to -10C
- a shirt with coolmax technology or something. It cost around 40-50$, but it's really worth it
- multiple layers of clothing: depending on the temperature, you need to adjust how many you wear. You can buy special shirts for that, but since I only run for 30-45min at a time, I wear 1 or 2 old cotton turtleneck, plus a cotton sweatshirt, and I find it ok
- a good coat that let's out transpiration. Personnally I use a coat I bought 15 years ago. It was worth a lot at the time (around 200$), but since it's really ugly now, I have recycled it for jogging since I don't wear it anymore
- for pants, I wear 1 or 2 sweatpants depending on the temperature. Plus, I put on a pair of cotton cargo on top. It's not waterproof, so with if it rains or sleet, I can't be out more that 30min if I don't want to get sick.
- For socks, you can put on a pair of cotton socks if you want, there nothing wrong with that. What's wrong, is wearing only that!!! You HAVE to wear a pair of wool socks on top of it. Wool keep your feet warm, even when it's wet. That's the beauty of wool
- For running shoes, wear what you feel comfortable in. I run with Salomon running shoes made for walking in the forest (not even cross-training or jogging shoes!). Strange choice you may say, but I'm at my 3rd pair, and I really love them
- For gloves, I use mittens, but the kind that is like cut gloves where you can take of the flap off and leave your fingers out. That's because after 20min, I find you have warmed up enough, and that regular mittens become to hot. With cut mittens, you can open the flap a bit, so your fingers can cool off.
And if in doubt, put on more layers that less. Since you're gonna sweating, it's better to be too hot than to be cold.
Please remember that what I've outline is good if you run less that 30-45min. If you run more than that you might want to invest more in clothes that protect you better. But for my case, since I don't have that kind of money and that running for 1 or 2 hours is out of the question, I don't have that problem.
And also, as for the winter allergen, I've never heard such a thing...
Voilą! Have a nice run! Especially when there's just been a light snowfall, it always beautiful!!!
Lifequest