Running in snowy weather
 

If you guys had to run in cold weather- snowing ect., ex. for 5m every day what would you use to cover your mouth so that your lungs don't get frozen.

Problem:I need to be able to run at full speed, inhalation and exhalation ect., with some warmer air available to me.
I have considered shemaughs, scarves, over mouth etc., and have even considered a gas mask to run in.
I hate treadmills with the utmost passion, because they don't feel realistic to me.

I have to run every day for monthly psts and it is starting to snow here. :(

Please don't crucify me yet, I know it sounds stupid, but I need to run to stay in my contract. I would be extremely grateful for any advise on the subject.

Running Cold.
 

I've done running in some pretty cold weather, and here's what i have found works best for me. This list is from last winter, where the temps here ranged from 25 degrees down to -40 degrees, windchill included.

1. Half Face Mask and fleece cap combination (can remove one or the other as needed)

2. Elastic Neck Gaiter

3. Full Face Mask

Remember to keep in mind that you simply CANNOT train on the same level in cold as you can in warm weather! It is dangerous to your health. If you don't have a heart rate monitor, get one. Focus on HR instead of your splits. And don't be afraid to mix up the cardio. Stationary reclined bicycle can be a good workout, ditto the stair master. During the winter I try to mix in a few alternate cardio methods, and my times sure as heck don't suffer as a whole. As always, YMMV ;)

The snow is more of a traction problem and the danger is tearing body parts if your foot slips or lands on a hidden object. Temperature of the ambient air is a problem and as noted you have to keep heat loss from the head under control.

I was in Phase I at Camp Mackall in February 1971. We used to hope the temperature would be below 15 degrees in the morning. If it was below 15 degrees, we didn't have to run...

You do realize that TRAINING is to keep the body in good working order. It is not an excuse to abuse bones & muscles that you may need later.

Running and rucking help in both cardio and muscular development. But there are other way to do the same.

If you are stationed in an area that has inclement weather, you need to develop alternate training plans.

You should not be planning to beat the weather at it own game. This will not do you nor your employers any good.

You are correct,, it does sound stupid...

:munchin

Dont' think about it; just run.

I would find an indoor pool and swim until near exhaustion, M-F. On Sat./Sun., I put on a set of snow shoes and get out of town for a comfortable 8-10 miler. You want a real breather?, go find a Nordic Center and put on some skate skis, and knock out an easy 20-30K course. Put a Biathlon Rifle on your back for added weight, you can then practice breathing and marksmanship at the same time.

Having said all that, why not try becoming friends with the treadmill.

Stay safe.

.

I've done PT a lot of cold places...Devens, Toelz, and Fort Wainwright AK...in Alaska, the division surgeon was of the mindset that outdoor running shouldn't take place at temperatures below -30°...

When we ran, the uniform was a wool balaclava that could be pulled over the nose and mouth region, BDUs, and for most of us, polypropylene undergarments...I wore light weight polypro, as the heavier stuff made me too hot, even at -30...the biggest issue we faced was accelerated wear of our running shoes...at extreme cold, it felt and sounded like we were running in wooden shoes...for hand protection, we wore trigger finger mittens...

we ran long and slow at temps below -10. No sprints, no 6 minute mile paces...we started out slow, a jog not much faster than quick time...after about a mile, we picked up to an 8 minute pace or so....we never got very fast, but would run about 5 miles...the last half mile or so, we returned to the pace we started at and marched at quick time for about five minutes or so after finishing...we stretched as usual before and after the run...the thing about cold weather training is pace, taking things easy...it takes a long time to warm up in very cold weather, but you still need time to cool down...

And if you have snowy weather, cross country skiing is a better solution...you'll work muscles you didn't know you had and it isn't hard to pick up on a flat surface...snow shoes are a good investment and they work even more muscles than skis...if you live in an area with a varied climate, you need to adjust your workouts to the weather...

Although I never ran in places quite as cold as some of the guys here, having been a college runner, I can say the cold really has little effect on your lungs. Yes it's uncomfortable to do mile repeats at sub-zero temps(w/ windchill), but we made it through just fine. Your main concern in cold weather should be making sure you are properly dressed so as not to get frostbite..... People have ran in Antartica and been ok

I have a pair of gore-tex trail shoes that help out with the wet, cold feet. Also, I saw a girl running at a trail run with a pair of trail-running gaitors on. They were pretty short, but worked pretty well.

I also hate treadmills. I have tried every conceivable way to avoid running, but have yet to find a way to cheat the system. The only way to keep your running ability up is to run.

lksteve,

-30,that's really cold!.......-45 in Hoenfels,Germany,we were called out to do the airborne shuffle,no mask just our regular headgear........They did say it was at least 7 miles....... Yeah,I know it sounds like BS,but when we quit and got to our barracks we had guys with frostbite on their faces and feet........ This all because our Team Leader wanted to prove how tough ass we were suppose to be....... :(:(:(

Big Teddy :munchin

I think in the long run, as craigepo said, there's no substitute for a quality run outsidebut here are some alternatives I have used with success:
1) Running in an indoor track
2) Running stairs in an office building
3) Pool Running

With a little searching in your AO you might be able to find somewhere that you can do some sort of running-like activity. In highschool, during indoor track season we ran around a 100m square (school hallways) on cold days. I've even been forced to do suicides on a basketball court as an alternative. Just try to think outside the box :)

I sometime use small crampons after seeing a friend last year turn his leg into a pretzel and end a 13+ year military career via a winter ruck on a hard packed trail. The crampons I use are lower profile and are fairly comfortable, even with sneakers. I'll see if I can find/take a picture, as they're not your typical rigid, mountain climbing style.

I used to stud my mountain bike tires with small screws for winter rides with similar success.

I've heard good things about these http://www.yaktrax.com/pro wfs

That's them! Or at least a similar one, as mine are slip-ons vs. the velcro strap of the YakTrax. You barely notice they're there and they do a decent job or keeping you upright.

I haven't had a problem leaving my mouth uncovered while running in the snowy/cold weather. It's a bit uncomfortable at first but once the blood gets pumping and you get warmed up, you'll be fine. Traction is my main concern.