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Running in the Cold

73 bytes added, 12:04, 8 April 2011
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I've tested this is advice for running in cold temperatures down to around 8f/-13c and others have contributed tips from running in much colder conditions.
* '''Hypothermia'''. Hypothermia can occur when the temperatures are in the 50s if you are cold or exhausted. See [[Hypothermia]] for details on this dangerous condition.
* '''The 20 degree rule.''' A good approximation is to dress for temperatures that are 20 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the actual temperature. So if it's 20 degrees out, dress for walking in 40 degrees.
* '''Dress in layers.''' Layers will keep you warmer than a single layer, and allow for flexibility of removing some of your insulation.
* '''Hat and gloves.''' These are important to keep you warm, but they can also be taken off and tucked in a waist band easily. This allows you to adjust your insulation for the conditions. I like gloves that convert into mittens (more on these in a future blog)
* '''Vaseline.''' If you are still having problems with your hands and feet, spreading Vaseline over them before putting on your socks or gloves will dramatically improve the insulation. It's a bit strange the first time you do it, but it works very well.
* '''Hypothermia'''. Read the section on [[Hypothermia]] for details on this dangerous condition.
* '''Sunglasses.''' Keeping your eyes protected can help you keep a little warmer, and reduce how runny your nose gets. I use Oakley sunglasses with interchangeable lenses, so I can use clear glass when it's dark.
* '''Chemical Warmers'''. Using chemical warmers can help keep your hands from getting too cold. I find these seem to not only keep my hands warm, but also provide some extra warmth to the rest of my body and a little phycological boost. You can warm the packs with a hairdryer to get them extra warm (Thanks to Megan H)