Trish,

I have run in some pretty cold air before. But I think that the medical world suggests that we take care when we force really cold air deep into our lungs. I don't pay much attention to any of that really. As long as you are layered well and you are not running where you could get isolated and out alone for a long time, I don't see much of a danger.

Chicago gets pretty cold though, huh? I was there is March once for one day. Wanted my wife and two year old son to see Lake Michigan. The wind was so cold coming off that lake it was like needles in your face. We weren't dressed properly though.

Happy cold running. Just keep on goin'.

Paul828

trish,

I run all winter long and sometimes it can be well below zero.  The worst for me was last year it was -20 to -30 for a week.  here are my tips and thoughts...layers are your friends, I put hand-warmers in my gloves and in my sports bra, dehydration can chill you so make sure you drink even though you may not feel thirsty, your body is designed to warm the air before it gets to your lungs but I wear a face-mask until I warm up.  Breathing the cold has never been an issue for me but the skin on your face and around your eyes is really tender so cover every bit of it you can until you warm up a bit.  I promise you if you make it through a cold winter and you don't let it scare you off you will feel like you can do anything.  Good luck!   Oh!  I always have to take a hot shower or bath when I come home because even though I feel comfortable when I'm running I can get pretty chilled when I start to cool down.  So, that a good reason to spend a few extra minutes in the shower.

I just read an interesting article about this and wanted to share it. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Too Cold to Exercise? Try Another Excuse

This past year, we had a pretty harsh winter here in Wisconsin and it made things pretty trying for me training for a marathon. We had over 100 inches of snow here which smashed the previous 1978 record by close to 30 inches. As you would expect in Wisconsin we had some pretty cold temps as well, but being the hardcore runner that I am (hardcore meaning stupid), I usually headed out for 10 to 15 mile training runs in -19 below temps several times. We have a lot of nice bike paths here in Madison and when I'm out running around Lake Monona, you generally always see other runners or bikers out. There were a couple occasions, when the temp was well below zero, that I was the only runner out there to be seen.... again, am I dedicated or stupid ?:| ... who knows. The point is that if you dress properly I think anyone is more than capable of running outside in cold weather. Actually, I find that after my body gets adjusted and warmed up the first mile or so, I am pretty comfortable. Like I always tell people, it's easier to stay warm for cold weather running than it is to stay cool when it's incredibly hot out. At least when it's cold out, you can dress appropriately and bundle up. When it's hot, aside from running in your birthday suit, there isn't a heck of a lot you can do to stay cool. The only problem I encountered when running below freezing temps was keeping some exposed areas on my face protected... that was until my brother told me I should slather some vasoline on my face to protect it. It may feel a little greasy and gross but it actually really does the trick. It protects the face from the harsh cold and wind while at the same time giving your face a thin layer of insulation that also moisturizes and protects your skin from drying out and getting wind burn. If you ever need additional face protection, give it a try. The main thing for running in the cold is each persons individual tolerance. Some people just hate the extreme cold while other seem to be related Frosty the Snowman or Jack Frost and have no problem at all with it. I know a lot of people ask me all the time how I can breath in that frigid, crisp air and not be affected. I guess I have just gotten used to it over the years. The main thing for me is having a clear running path... free from snow and ice. If I have that, I am as happy as a lark. I'll deal with any cold temps as long my route is clear... for me, it's better than the alternative... going to the lousy health club to run on the stinkin' treadmill and breathing in stale air.