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Despite the plummeting temperatures, running in cold weather can be a calming experience, especially through some soothing urban scenery. “One of the things I liked most about running in the winter was that there were less people around,” says Jeff Moreno, a 21-year old college student who used to run from his Queens home over the 59th Street Bridge and back everyday. Of course, you can’t just blindly brave the elements from mid-November through March. Even Rocky had to watch out for his health while training in that bitterly cold Russian winter.
First and foremost, you need to dress appropriately. Layers make winter running possible by preventing frostbite and hypothermia. “The first layer should be tight, like Lycra,” says Lee Anthony Mulero, a former physical trainer for New York Sports Club. Lycra and other synthetic materials trap body heat while releasing moisture from your skin. Running in the Winter for Dummies advises to avoid wearing cotton as a first layer, since it absorbs moisture and lowers your body temperature.
You should also wear a breathable outer layer, like gortex, which will prevent cold wind from entering. Also, much of the body’s heat is released through the soles of the feet, palms of the hands, and the scalp, so knit or wool gloves and hats can insulate your core temperature. “I also like to wear a scarf around my mouth, it helps warm the air, making it easier on the throat,” Mulero says.
The cold air also can dry out the throat. Baruch College athletic director William Eng says the cold air can also aggravate existing respiratory conditions. “Both bronchitis and asthma are defiantly more prevalent in the winter,” he says. Non-asthmatics shouldn’t ignore the risks; a WebMD.com article says that 10 percent of lung-healthy runners could develop exercise-induced asthma under the wrong weather conditions. “I do feel like I get winded easier in the cold, but I still like winter running,” says Larry Rivera, a Brooklyn resident training for the New York Police Academy.
