two cold weather running tips

Good points!

I didn't think about the Ipod battery but I have tried to deal with really thick GU.  I just stick the GU inside my glove next to my palm for about 10 minutes.  Of course, here in New Mexico winter is never too harsh and it is already loosening its grip as we have been enjoying upper 50's and low 60's recently.

I usually pre mix my gu with water in a flask for long runs like that.  Keeps it from thickening up like that in near freezing weather.  It also makes taking it a lot easier when you hit that point where no food sounds desirable. 

Actually...I've ran with that mixture into the 20's and it's never frozen.

Wahhh, it wasn't that cold Sunday.  And the sun was out all morning with only very light winds!  It was a beautiful day in Maryland!  I had a great 12 miler in the same weather.

About the iPod battery - I now believe my iPod gets befuddled in the cold.  The past two runs (after I've already made sure it was fully charged), it just goes dead about 20 or 30 minutes in.  This last time, I actually paid attention to it (rather than just cursing madly) and noticed that it came back on after a minute or two, and indicated the battery was zapped.  Knowing that not to be true, I hit play on the podcast I was listening too and voila, it played without incident for the remainder of the run.

After getting inside, I noticed the battery indicator showed about 3/4 remaining. . . . Weird.

Just my $0.02:

1. As far as frozen food: as long as you're not running longer than 1.5-2 hrs you really don't need to eat anything. And when it's really cold you most likely wouldn't run that long anyway.

2. Running downwind is much easier/warmer than running against the wind. Cover your face with a shawl, ski mask or at least put some vaseline over it. And wear sunglasses. Yes, they will fog up, but the cold wind won't burn your eyes.

Why?  There is no link between getting any sort of cold/flu from doing any outdoor activities in the cold.

Just curious as to what your rationalization for the statement could be?

x2.
I ran 3.5 hours on Saturday with a starting temp of 13 degrees (zero degree wind chill).

But that might just be me.

Just a subjective perception of difficulty. It seem to me it is harder to run in very low temps. Again, I'm not a doctor, just observed higher energy loss on those runs, which seems logical. If you have a very strong base and are motivated to run for hours - why not.

If you are dressed properly, then you would not exert anything more than normal for maintaining your body heat.

Most people tend to run better in the cold.  But as you mentioned, it is your perception.  Just keep in mind that everyone training for spring marathons doesn't have too many other options for their long runs (some would not consider running on the dreadmill an option).

Good post....

...that would also lend itself as to why Marathon season is done through out the cooler/colder months. 

Put me in the below freezing for HOURS before putting me on the dready for an hour...UGH! 

No to be over argumentative, but even  if you're dressed properly you would be wearing few layers of clothes that would became wet eventually and you'll be carrying that weight plus if your mouth is covered the breathing is a bit harder etc. Overall - it is harder. And I said: 'most likely' - if you have a spring marathon, you're one of the few 'special' cases...

Over argumentative - you called?  joking. that was for Daremo.

For me, I tend to sweat WAAAY more in the summer heat than I do in the cold with multiple layers. I *do* sweat in the cold, just not nearly the buckets I produce in the heat.

+1 on that! My limit is 10k on the treadmill. 

Plus, I feel super tough, even if a bit frozen, for getting out there.

Oh as a side note to the OP - I did gatorade this weekend that turned into lemon/lime slushy. Didn't really want to come out of the bottle :S - i suppose that's when a carefully time break at a convenience store is in order to find non-frozen beverages ...

I don't (this year).  But I run all year round outside.  Most of my runs are in the teens and twenties for temps and I have run all the way up to 22 milers in the cold.  Really, it is not a big deal, and is easier to run than when it is warm.

Again, it is not harder at all, except in your perception.

From a physiological standpoint, it is actually EASIER to run in the cold.  Somewhere in the range of 70% of your energy is lost as heat in the human body.  Your body doesn't have to work as hard to stay cool when the air temp is lower.  And the air is more dense, so you are taking in more O2 per breath than you would be in normal temps.

There have been studies on this.  In one that was mentioned at my USATF clinic for every 5 degrees over 50, an athlete loses about 1/2% of performance.  So running in a race at 80 degrees, you lose about 3% of your performance capabilities.  The most interesting about it, below 50 - no matter how far below - there was no loss in performance.

Another +1 -  after 3 winters of training for long distance races, I can honestly say i've never felt laden down with moist clothes ... most of the stuff i have is technical and weighs next to nothing and i kind of like trading my fuel belt after a hot summer for a coat with pockets ...

Though I do slow down in the winter. Though i doubt it's because of the clothes but more with poor footing and colder muscles so i take longer to warm up. 

You beat me to it

well... I WAS running longer than 1.5-2 hours.