Cold Weather Hacks for the Outdoor Runner

What happens when you're a runner and the temps turn cold?

If you're anything like me, you suck it up and head outside! It's no secret that I don't like 'Milly (my treadmill), and she's not too fond of me either.

I live in Iowa, after all, and winter seems to last six months (at the minimum) here. We not only have frigidly cold temps (often sub-ZERO with windchill), we also tend to get a lot of snow and the wind can be most ferocious. But, I refuse to let Momma N defeat me.

To make the frigid temps a bit more bearable, one needs to learn to layer one's running gear. You will see temperature charts all over the place, indicating what to wear or how many layers are optimal. In all honesty, I have found it's really a matter of personal preference. Some of us get warm faster than others and some of us need more layers.

None the less, I have come up with these Cold Weather Hacks for the Outdoor Runner. All of these have worked well for me. I have to confess, these little hacks have given me a certain (subtle) guilty pleasure because most cost nothing but a little creativity and forethought.

Here are a few of my favorites:

*Consider layering a fleece headband UNDER a stocking hat.  A hat will keep you warm, but sometimes if the wind is blowing, a little extra something underneath will make it that much warmer.

Can you see the turquoise headband, hiding underneath the hat? (ignore the ice crystals on my ears)

*Wearing arm warmers between the layers on your arms works wonders. Usually, my base layer is pretty fitted (and is fleece-lined). A second layer over that adds more warmth, but sneaking in an additional layer (via an arm warmer, BETWEEN the layers) really ups the toasty-ness. I have several pairs of "real" arm warmers. but actually my favorite hack is to wear a pair of cut-off knee-high stockings instead, especially in the winter.

You can find inexpensive stockings at discount stores like Target or Walmart

*How about layering light-weight tights (or basic leggings) over fleece-lined running tights? Who doesn't like a little extra color or a funky pattern? Walmart has tons of cheap leggings for less than $5.00...which I would not wear anywhere in public (or even on their own, because they're not really warm). Layering them over "real" running tights works just fine for me, thank you very much.

Remember my obnoxious Christmas "tights" from last year? They actually were inexpensive leggings layered over thermal running tights!

*Sunglasses are not just for summer. When there's a layer of snow on the ground, a bright sunshiny day can almost be blinding. Even on a cloudy, grey day, sunglasses are ideal for keeping the cold air and wind buffered from your eyes. I have extremely dry skin and very sensitive eyes....so any eye irritation results in tears flowing down my face. When the temps are cold, those tears feel like ice water. Brrrr. Personally, I'm in no hurry for developing more wrinkles, so keeping my eyes covered is a no-brainer.

Wearing your sunglasses OVER your headband or hat will keep your ears covered better than if the worn under

*Keep your phone warm, too! My phone's battery doesn't have a lot of mojo on really cold days, but when I place the phone in a fleece mitten or glove and cradle it in the palm of my hand (under my curled up fingers), it has a lot more protection from the cold. Besides, I cannot stand feeling it bounce in my pocket and it's a hassle trying to dig it out from under my layers if I have it in a belt.

Stash your phone in an extra warm & toasty glove or mitten

So, there you have it. A few inexpensive hacks to get you through the cold weather... or at the very least, make the cold weather a little more bearable.

Granted, not everyone is as eager to brave the elements outdoors as I am. Some may prefer to stay inside, either opting for a trip to an indoor track or firing up a treadmill. That's all good. Myself, I prefer the fresh air and constantly changing terrain the outdoors offer. That's my story (and I'm sticking with it).

How about you? Are you an outdoor runner who braves the cold weather? Or do you prefer to stay inside when the temps plummet? Got any cold weather hacks of your own to share?

I'm linking this with Meranda and Lacey for the Fridays with Fairytales and Fitness link-up. 

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***Disclaimer*** Much of this text, as well as some of the pictures, first appeared in a previous post, Winter Running Hacks for 2018 (January 2018).