| Cold Weather Running Advice | | | | more clothing. That alone makes it necessary to stay |
| The vast majority of people who are in fair physical | | | | hydrated. A supply of water should be taken along, |
| condition can ride a bicycle or even jog during cool or | | | | even in winter. |
| warm weather. But cold weather brings on a | | | | For anyone having breathing problems or bronchial |
| completely different set of situations, most of them | | | | irritation due to illness or cold air, it is best to just |
| hazardous if the individual is not prepared. Running | | | | stay inside until the condition improves. In addition, |
| during a training period or getting cycling training in | | | | the runner or someone in cycling training should be |
| cold weather is OK if the individual takes a few | | | | more aware of traction problems (feet or tires). |
| precautions. At the most basic level, a runner or rider | | | | Sometimes it is just not a good idea to run when |
| heading out in cold weather must dress warmly and | | | | there is ice and snow on the ground. That's common |
| protect exposed skin wherever possible. Breathing | | | | sense. Trail shoes will help because they have a |
| problems and frostbite are two common problems | | | | different sole design than other running and riding |
| that can arise because of too little preparation. | | | | shoes. A slower pace may also be necessary. |
| What To Do | | | | Dress For Cold Weather |
| Something as basic as a scarf around the neck and a | | | | Layers of clothing are always the best answer for |
| handkerchief over the nose and mouth can be | | | | cold weather. This allows the runner or rider to shed |
| enough to bring the runner or rider back home safe | | | | a layer if he or she becomes too warm, or add a |
| and sound. Covering the mouth and nose with a cloth | | | | layer if necessary. Socks may need to be a bit |
| or handkerchief makes a huge difference in the | | | | heavier and a hat should always be worn in cold |
| intake of cold air. Extreme cold means that the | | | | weather. Most of the body heat lost during exercise |
| material should be thicker. Some runners and riders | | | | goes through the head. The keys are: be in shape to |
| may feel that it isn't necessary to pay as much | | | | start with; dress warmly; stay dry; use caution. With |
| attention to water intake in the winter as it is in the | | | | these things in mind the individual can run or ride year |
| summer. But this is a misconception. The body will | | | | round. |
| sweat a bit more because it may be wrapped in | | | | |