Cold weather jogging

[Ramsus]

During the summer I really enjoy jogging, I typically get out three or four times a week after work. During the winter however I typically get sick if I go jogging. Whenever I get back from even just a half hour jog in cold weather I feel like I've got a full blown cold: runny nose, congestion headache, bad cough, earache, the whole bit. What's worse is that sometimes it will last a couple of days, so I go jogging on Monday and spend the rest of the week recovering.

Anyone have any ideas on what I might do to fix this? The obvious answer is to go to an indoor track, but that's enough of a bother that if I have to go to a track I typically won't be able to convince myself to go at all.

I see other people jogging in the cold weather, so is there something they are doing that I am not? Or do they just not mind getting really sick?

[Old Soul]

Hi We bought a tread mill for January running, but for now I am running outside, I still wear my yoga pants/ jogging clothes, but with a head band and mits and a vest......... I feel great so far the temps havve been around 0 great for running...........but it is true , there are hard core runners out there in Jan..... maybe I will try it this winter and see how well i do

and get back to you

[Ree]

Being in the southeast, I admit we don't get very cold temps often but I do love to jog in cold weather. Anywhere from 50 degrees down to freezing is good. The important thing is to wear clothing that wicks moisture away from your skin. As you sweat and your clothing gets wet, you'll get a chill and this is bad. Also remember to wear layers of clothing. I usually wear a short sleeve shirt that wicks, like Cool Max, etc., a windblocker vest, a light jacket and a hat. It's okay to feel a slight chill when you first start out, because your core will warm up as you burn energy. Sometimes I have to shed the jacket before I'm done.

[cdn2wheeler]

I used to do cold weather running as well, and the worst part about it for me wasn't the sniffles & whatnot. It was getting cold feet. Literally. Thumping through the snow & puddles made my feet very cold, even when the rest of me was hot from the exercise.

Turns out I was wearing the wrong socks. They were cotton, which are murder because they hold moisture like a sponge. So I went to the local running store and picked up a few pairs of socks made with a material that wicks moisture away from the skin. Made all the difference in the world.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

I am not a runner really, so the posts by others are probably more helpful, but have you thought about whether you may be allergic to something that is a winter allergen? I would guess it would affect you even when you aren't running though. Not really sure. I know that I can be outside in the summer, but right about this time, we get mountain cedar which wreaks havoc on my whole body.

Good luck. I hope you are able to find a way to continue running!

[lifequest]

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...

Voilà! Have a nice run! Especially when there's just been a light snowfall, it always beautiful!!!

Lifequest

[Ramsus]

These are good suggestions. I'll have to look into better clothing. The allergy thing sounds like it might be good to check out. I do tend to have a stuffy nose *all* winter long. Maybe it's allergies and not just cold weather like I've always thought. Thanks a lot everyone.

[Jenny]

I agree with these suggestions especially when it comes to what you are wearing with particular care given to layering. Perhaps you could start slow once the weather gets cold and test out your clothing and health - running a only a mile (which would have you in and out fairly quickly) for a week or two and see how that goes. If that works up your mileage to two miles and so forth. Good luck as there's nothing better than being outside rather than a treadmill (in my opinion).

[Sam988]

Originally Posted by Ramsus

During the summer I really enjoy jogging, I typically get out three or four times a week after work. During the winter however I typically get sick if I go jogging. Whenever I get back from even just a half hour jog in cold weather I feel like I've got a full blown cold: runny nose, congestion headache, bad cough, earache, the whole bit. What's worse is that sometimes it will last a couple of days, so I go jogging on Monday and spend the rest of the week recovering.

Anyone have any ideas on what I might do to fix this? The obvious answer is to go to an indoor track, but that's enough of a bother that if I have to go to a track I typically won't be able to convince myself to go at all.

I see other people jogging in the cold weather, so is there something they are doing that I am not? Or do they just not mind getting really sick?

Have you considered swimming in the winter? Isn't there any club near your house that has some thermal swimming pools?

[Dbarker]

I agree with the layering and Jenny is right on about starting out slow. You will find out what type of layering you need for different temperatures. When you get a good fit, write it down so you don't forget and have to keep experimenting. I love running in the winter and have a pair of tights and fleece pants for the really cold days; multiple layers or shirts, fleece jacket and a gore-tex jacket for really cold or wet days; a couple different gloves some which I can layer, hats and a balaclava for the coldest days to keep the cold air from bothering me too much. Good luck.

[4Mind4Life]

Well, then don't go outside. It is really hard on the lungs and the body. I go jogging in the winter and enjoy being outside in the snow. Winter jogging is great! Just make sure that you are dressed properly and are hydrated enough!