Rumor has it, snow is on it’s way to NYC!
If you’ve been reading this blog for any amount of time then you know I’m crazy about the snow. Snow runs are my favorite, but only particular types of snow make for good running conditions. Too much ice and too many puddles between me and Central Park and I’m likely to take a spin class instead of hitting up the treadmill or risking the outdoors.
However, when the perfect running snow arrives, the only thing I want to do is bundle up and go for a run.
If this is your first year attempting to run outdoors in the snow here are a few tips:
- Go before they plow the streets. It tends to be less slippery when the powder is still on the ground.
- Don’t go outside if there’s an ice storm or if the streets have been plowed and have re-frozen over night.
- Wear a hat with a brim underneath a warmer hat that covers your ears. Another option is to wear a hat with a fleece headband over the top to keep ears warm.
- The best time to go is while it’s still snowing, before it gets too deep. Again fresh powder is best.
- Take short strides.
- Watch out for black ice.
- Run it at an easy pace.
- Save speedwork for the treadmill.
Great tips! I’m new to cold weather running as I train for my faux NYC Marathon (i.e. the Miami Marathon) so this is great to know! The hat with headband will definitely be the first thing I try….
Enjoy your snow run tomorrow!
I was so upset.. I wanted to run in Central Park this AM but it was suppose to snow so I decided to run in my apartment gym.. When I finally made it outside to go to work there was hardly any snow on the ground!
Since, I’m from Central New York, I’m no stranger to running in the cold and snow; strangely enough, it’s quite normal for me. 🙂 I read a “Runner’s World” article last year that suggested slowing your pace anywhere from 1-2 minutes when running in the snow–better safe than sorry. I would also encourage others to wear some sort of hat/band to keep ears warm, but don’t overdress. It’s annoying when you have to take off layers and have no where to put them. Plus, your body will eventually warm up.
Great tips! I did a race in the snow a couple of years ago, I think it might have been my first time running in the snow. I wish I had had the rim hat tip, that’s a really important one!
You’d be so proud of me, I RAN the other day, and I loved it! I wanted to share that with you. And I’m about to go out again here in about 30-minutes 🙂 I actually love running when it gets colder, but great tip not running when there is ice (black ice is a killer!)
Thanks! This is my first year running, and I’m still figuring out all the seasonal stuff. The brim hat suggestion is simple and makes perfect sense (yet still hadn’t occurred to me).
Jess, I LOVE snow running also!! Isn’t there something magical about running in the snow? It kind of makes you feel like a kid again. When it’s snowing, I don’t care how fast I’m going or how far. All I care about is that I kind of feel like I’m running around at the North Pole.
**CROSSING my fingers for snow today!!
Cannot believe it’s already snow season:)
I busted a** last year on ice, not even snowy conditions. Still have the scar on my knee.
Take it slow and in doubt, take it indoors if the conditions are too much.
Great tips but I’m going to leave the snow running to you!! I’m a hot weather fan all the way. Snow days are the perfect reason to never leave my house!!! In the winter I pretty much get all of my runs on my treadmill!!!
Enjoy your snow! Hopefully we don’t get a lot in Kansas this year!