Facing the Elements on the Run

If you’re an inexperienced runner who doesn’t have a lot of first-hand knowledge about running in the elements, this article is for you. Many of you came here looking for a way to escape the treadmill, and the hamster-like feeling it can bring about, but you’re not totally sure if you’re ready for the unpredictability of outdoor terrain, especially if you’re a long-distance runner.

With these tips, you’ll have a better knowledge of how to tackle these obstacles with minimal amounts of stress. Here’s how to face the elements on the run.

-Weather-resistant material.

Windbreakers that don’t absorb water are great for almost any type of climate except extreme heat – they’re lightweight and don’t get in your way. They might “parachute” a bit when the wind is at its fastest, but there’s not much you can do about the wind anyway – instead, focus on staying dry, especially of the weather looks foreboding. You don’t want to get caught in the rain, soaking wet, with your skin just begging to break out in runner’s rashes. You’ll want to stay dry and let the sweat wick off of your body without trapping too much body-heat.

-Overdress in the winter months.

You can last a long time outside if you’re adequately prepared for the cold winter months. The key to winter running often lies in your hands and feet – the first places in your body to go numb if you’re really dealing with some cold weather. Make heavy gloves a priority, as the warmth in your hands will help keep your blood circulating at warmer temperatures, keeping your core temperature up. If you get too hot, you simply remove the gloves and carry them for a while – you’ll know when to put them back on, because you’ll suddenly start feeling a bit colder. Wear gloves, a hat, and you’re already on your way to protecting yourself from the cold.

-Small laps.

If you’re working out in the heat outside, you don’t exactly want to venture off ten miles into unknown territory with only one bottle of water. Instead, jog around your house, making small, frequent laps. Why? This will give you an escape route if you really need to get into some air-conditioned climate control quickly. You don’t want to run into any emergencies – like heat exhaustion – when no one’s around, so stay close to people you know might be watching you, or at least to your house in case you feel like the heat or cold is getting a little too close for comfort.

Photo Credits: Ed Yourdon

Originally posted 2009-04-09 05:24:15.

This post involves:

body heat, cold weather, cold winter, core temperature, extreme heat, hamster, hand knowledge, hands and feet, laps, long distance runner, minimal amounts, obstacles, outdoor terrain, resistant material, treadmill, unknown territory, unpredictability, warmth, wear gloves, wick

... and focuses on:

Running

Posted by Bike Swim Run on August 5, 2009 in Running. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.