Running in the cold

[misseh]

I’ve been running in the mornings to split up my cardio sessions. Right now it’s just above freezing here and I find it takes 20 min for my muscles to warm up (or to go numb, I’m not sure which. ) Anyone got any suggestions for getting/keeping muscles warm? I wear good running gear but still freeze my butt off.

It seems my pace is slower in the cold then when it’s warm out (or when I run inside.) I am wondering if I am making up for a decrease in speed (burning less energy) by using more energy trying to keep my body warm?

Sorry if this is answered somewhere already (feel free to direct me to it if it is)

 

[Synpax]

It's a good and worthy question of this board.

Two options:
1) Dress warmer. There is a lot of gear special for runners in the winter. Sometimes called "cold gear." It's not as easy to run in the freezing cold, but no matter how cold it is my running club still meets at 6:30 AM.
2) Treadmill. Go to your gym or fitness center or maybe buy one. You can find great reviews of them here: http://www.treadmilldoctor.com/

 

[jeze]

Does running in the cold benefit you as much as running in the summer would? I always wondered that.

 

[justinjones1963]

Back in the day when I lived up north I loved running in the cold - you burn more calories working out in the cold because your body has to burn more energy to produce heat to stay warm.

To give a good example of living in extreme conditions, I read a study a while ago about nutrition in artic environments. It was a military study that stated troops needed 7000 calories a day in artic environments because of effects of the cold on the body. I have also noticed in some diet books they recommend to drink tons of ice cold water. This cools the body which in turn has to burn more calories to heat up.

The bottom line is the body burns extra calories when it has to produce heat.

 

[solidspine]

I use to live in Minnesota and ran daily, watch out for your Ankles

It seemed I would twist an ankle once every few years on ice and would never really recover.

 

[JayC9]

Warm up indoors first. Plenty of pre and post stretching. Wear a hat and warm clothing.

 

[RottenWillow]

...you burn more calories working out in the cold because your body has to burn more energy to produce heat to stay warm.

I remember reading that about ten years ago in a Muscle and Fitness from the 1980's. I believe it even cited a specific rate increase in fat burning when the body is cold. I recall it stating the body can burn fat up to 25x faster when cold, than when it is warm. I always thought that rate sounded absurdly high though.