This weekend we sat down with Megan Hunter, coach, athlete, and dedicated runner, to talk about how to prepare for winter running.
My first question for her was, “when is it too cold to run?”
Megan says it’s never too cold to run. She believes you can run in any type of weather conditions as long as you dress appropriately.
What’s the best gear to wear for winter running?
Megan says it’s important to invest in a pair of shoes that have good grip. She recommends City Park Runners for a pair of winter running shoes.
She also says, “Layers! Layers are important.”
You want a thermal or sweat-wicking layer (like spandex) on the bottom and a windbreaker layer on top. Something like a windbreaker jacket or vest, and pants with windbreaker fabric. And don’t forget to wear a hat or headband and protect your ears from frostbite.
Megan recommends you should wear sunglasses when running outside in the winter, because with the sun reflecting off the snow it’s twice as bright.
When it’s below minus 20 ˚C, Megan says it’s essential that you cover your nose and mouth with something warm, because the cold air can be harmful to your lungs.
What are some of your best winter running tips?
“Slow down your pace or the shorten the distance of your run,” says Megan. When it’s a lot colder outside, it takes longer for your muscles to warm up, so if you start running at your regular pace you’re more likely to pull something. You also have to be careful of ice, black ice, and slippery spots. If you’re running at your regular pace, you’re more likely to miss those things and you could get injured, says Megan.
What is your favourite part about winter running?
Megan says the best part of winter running is simply getting outside and enjoying the city regardless of the temperature. “You have to really love running to do it, so you feel a solidarity with other runners out there, and you just feel a sense of having achieved something, ” says Megan.
Incase you need some outdoor running gear, here is a link to a few good athletic stores that carry some:
Here is a link for the Hypothermic Half Marathon, which is happening on February 19, 2017.
RUN.SKI.EXPLORE 