Winter Running Hacks for 2018

I take great pleasure in beating Momma N at her own (twisted) game called "Winter."

How about you? Do you face her head-on, armed and ready, or do you prefer to stay inside?

Living in Iowa, it's a given the winters are gonna be chilly. In fact, the winters in Iowa can be downright brutal. But, there's a small clause to my running this time of year...I do not like 'Milly (she's my treadmill) and she does not like me.


So, what's a gal to do? Simple answer...I head outside.

#truth  #busted  #sorrynotsorry

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 warmer faster than others and some of us need more layers.

None the less, I have come up with some Winter Running Hacks that have worked 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 you go:

*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 headband hiding underneath the hat?

*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

*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.

Also, wearing the glasses OVER your headband or hat will keep your ears covered better

*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?" They actually were inexpensive leggings layered over actual running tights!

*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 a warm & toasty glove or mitten

*Last of all, indulging in a warm drink when you finish makes it all worthwhile. How's that for a (non)guilty pleasure?

What do you think? Any of these Winter Running Hacks sound easy enough to try?

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**I'm  linking up with Marcia and Patty and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run. We're chatting about guilty pleasures, courtesy of running. Join the conversation!

**I'm also linking this with Debbie and Rachel and Lora for the Running Coaches' Corner.

**And, I'm also linking up with Nicole and Annmarie for the Wild Wednesday Workout