Question for those runners out there...

By Unky Buck -23 January 2013
28 Comments
- Anything Else

So I've recently started running. I did 7 rounds of P90X and was looking for something new to train with and thought this would be fun to do. I've been running since Thanksgiving; about every other day in prep for the Pittsburgh Marathon. The official training program is only in Week 2 of 16 weeks, so I have a ways to go. But it has gotten awfully cold outside, as most would expect it to be in the Winter. I ran 4 miles Monday night and had some small icicles stuck to the goatee by the end of the run due to the insanely cold, windy conditions. Is there any sort of recommendation for the face in weather that is rather cold like this or is it just best to let it go? Obviously I don't want anything uncomfortable that'll "get in the way" but I also wouldn't mind having something available just in case it's needed. I didn't really have any discomfort once the blood flow was going but I'd hate to run into a longer run, like a 10-12 mile run, and have to deal with any issues. Any advice from some seasoned runners would be greatly appreciated.

buck-I.8 on 23 Jan 2013 - 12:31am #

I've always used normal moisturizing lotion, and it insulates and keeps your skin from drying out

rdubs on 23 Jan 2013 - 9:54am #

Yes Vasoline can be miraculous in conditions like that. The other thing that I would try is a balaclava. I have never used one, but I would imagine it could help. Sporthill gear is expensive, but well worth it. They make running/cross country skiing gear, so you know it is built for cold weather.

Good luck and I am glad you are running outside, I hate treadmills (especially for anything over 3-4 miles).

1MechEng on 23 Jan 2013 - 12:37am #

I am assuming you don't belong to a gym or own a treadmill ...

I have a fleece neck gaiter that I use to keep my chin/face warm when it gets really cold. I usually don't wear it unless it's below 15F. The key is to keep the blood flowing, and keep the extremeties warm (fingers, toes, ears, nose, lips). I like to wear a hat for anything under about 35-40F.

I also tend to run at night (8-9:30pm) when it's a little warmer, rather than at 6am when I get up for work.

Good luck!

northcampus on 23 Jan 2013 - 9:02am #

Everything stated in the above post is spot on. Additionally, consider a balaclava to cover your face if a gaiter isn't working for you. I use a balaclava for running in 30 degrees or less and it's pretty effective. You can get them at Dick's Sporting Goods, Amazon, etc.

Good luck with your training! You won't regret it once you finally reach race day and then successfully finish the race.

Unky Buck on 23 Jan 2013 - 9:53am #

You are correct. I don't belong to a gym or have a treadmill. I've never been a runner and with P90X, I was able to cancel the gym membership I had (but never used).

The one thing I make sure I have is gloves when the temperature drops. I will wear that with temps under 25 degrees. I also will wear a winter hat with temps up until about 40 degrees. I shave my head so it's a little more important to make sure I have that covered as much as possible. Once it's over 40, though, it's not a big deal. I've also been putting chapstick on my lips prior to runs as a barrier to the cold. It's seemingly been working.

As for my running time, I'm with you, but it'll usually be closer to when I get home from work. Once I get changed, stretched, and warmed up, it'll be 6 or 7. I have a great area to run in and a hike & bike trail nearby if I want to avoid dealing with traffic.

**Edit** I should've noted that I ran a 10K back in October. I only ran for the 4 Sundays prior to that to get up to the 6 miles and then the race. So up until Thanksgiving weekend, I had only run 5 times in my life. Luckily P90X was able to help me build incredible endurance and stamina. No it's just building on that and taking it to the next level (or in this case, about 5 levels).

One Bad Buckeye on 23 Jan 2013 - 12:42am #

Treadmill....

Seriously though, I ran about 20-25 miles a week for about 5 months, for about two years before that I ran between 12-15 miles/week. Cold weather running sucks....the chapped quads/lips/cheeks...What I found was no matter what I run with a hood on (not just a hat) as a great deal of body heat escapes from the head and neck. Tie the hood tight enough so that it covers your cheeks but obiously not so tight that you cant see. When you get smacked by a nasty head wind duck your face down to your nose under the collar of your sweatshirt/jacket. I really do find it best to bite the bullet and run on the treadmill on the really frigid days, even though its boring as heck! I run along the olentangy all the time for the other three seasons, it's great.

On a side note, I haven't run regularly since Thanksgiving because like you and P90X....I needed a change and I think my body really needed a break. I play basketball on monday nights and flag football on sunday afternoons to kind of keep active for the interim. I'm getting ready to start P90X, I have everything except for a place to do pull ups (my doorways are all awkward). Any advice getting started with this program? I hear runners tend to struggle.

Good luck. Hope I've been helpful.

"I'm One Bad Buckeye, and I approve this message."

Unky Buck on 23 Jan 2013 - 9:49am #

I commented on the running above and I don't want to keep repeating myself, lol, so I'll just comment on the P90X and what you may want to do with it, but thanks for the advice as well!

Are you using weights or are you using bands for the resistance days? I use bands. On this last time through, I needed to order new bands as my green band, which was my heaviest at the time, was tearing at the handle. I ended up ordering the green, blue, and black bands with an additional set of handles from Beachbody. This gives me a total of 5 bands, including the purple and red bands, and I have all of the weight that I need in those 5 bands. It's much easier to keep organized and easier to store away when not in use. It also makes your issue with the pull up bars easier. I only have 1 spot that I can put the pull up bar in my condo - on the frame to my bathroom and even then I have to do it in the bathroom. Using the bands assures me that I won't destroy the door frame but using the heavier duty blue bands, I'm still able to get a great workout with it.

The one thing about the bands, though is that you may not need those heavier duty black and blue bands. I was looking to gain more muscle and needed those bands, where you may not be looking to build more muscle than what you already have. I'd recommend the combo of the purple, red, and green bands if that's the case.

If you're using free weights, I'd still recommend getting those bands anyway. There are a few workouts where the bands are ideal as opposed to free weights. Also, if you go to Dick's Sporting Goods to get 1 band, you're going to want to get the best bandsthat they have (the cheaper ones tend to break/snap - I've dealt with that before) and they cost nearly the same as the set of 3 bands from Beachbody does and those are good, solid bands. So why not get 3 bands of varying weights?

As for any other suggestions...if you haven't done it before, follow what Tony says and keep pushing play. It's 13 weeks and for many people that's tough to stick with every single day. If you keep going to it each day, you'll see results quickly.

William on 23 Jan 2013 - 12:47am #

Even when it's this cold out I run in nothing more than a hoodie and shorts, but if your face is uncomfortable while running due to the cold, a bandana could work, I've seen people run with them before. Lotion also works.

One Bad Buckeye on 23 Jan 2013 - 2:38am #

Even when it's this cold out I run in nothing more than a hoodie and shorts

These must belong to you then:

"I'm One Bad Buckeye, and I approve this message."

USMC11917 on 23 Jan 2013 - 12:55am #

Stairs....problem solved. Too easy? Throw on an Alice pack or grab a pole.

Baroclinicity on 23 Jan 2013 - 4:55pm #

Love this movie.

And I agree. I do a ton of stairs, with weight added and without at a quicker pace. I'm almost addicted, but I still mix it up with other cardio.

Unky Buck on 23 Jan 2013 - 5:00pm #

The problem with stairs is that for me training for the marathon isn't so much about gaining stamina through a cardio workout...I'm just trying to get used to the long distances. With the P90X alone, I was able to pretty much go run a 10K in decent time with minimal preparation. The extensive cardio workouts in there has helped me adapt to that. So while I think running stairs is an excellent workout, I need to focus on the distance from here on out. But it would be something to consider down the road if I need a change of pace when I'm done with this.

UrbanWoodrowEar... on 23 Jan 2013 - 12:53am #

Unky-how has the P90X worked for you so far? Proven results?

Unky Buck on 23 Jan 2013 - 5:02pm #

I was going to lump this in with an above comment but that person was looking for advice on what to do with pull up bars and didn't want to confuse anyone.

I'm basically a walking advertisement for this program. I won't get into the reasons behind starting it as I could go on forever about it and everything else that followed, but when I began this, I weighed 315 lbs. I was very apathetic and lethargic towards just about everything, but more importantly being active. I knew I had to do something and did at that point. I was so big, though, that it took me awhile to get going. The first week or so I could only do maybe half of the workouts, but I kept going and improved each week. That's the key though. Just keep going (and keep pushing play). You will see results in terms of weight loss within the first 30 days and then you'll start to see an increase in muscle mass from there but you have to stick with it. But I digress. Once I got through it once, I knew I could do it again and did. I eventually got through 7 times (3 times within the last year, all of them within 90 days and all of them seeing better results than I did the previous time). I now weigh approx. 210 lbs. At 6'3", that's a pretty healthy weight for my height. While I'm training for this marathon, I'm using the resistance workouts from P90X on the cross training days to make sure I keep up with the gains that I made.

It's a fantastic program if you can keep with it. Many people tend to stop after 4-6 weeks because they feel it gets repetitive. I never did, but that's me. If you're determined to get in the best shape of your life, then get it and keep pushing play, as I mentioned before. You'll get there for sure.

**Edit** By half of the workouts, I mean I would do one each day, but I may only get through half of it. Take Chest & Back, for example. It's the first workout in Week 1. I was barely able to probably 50 pushups and only did half of it. During my last round, I had gotten up to 250 pushups in a 50 minute workout.

Maestro on 23 Jan 2013 - 12:54am #

vacuuming sucks

Aesculus. on 23 Jan 2013 - 3:09am #

^^^^^ YES.

"There is a force that makes us all brothers, no one goes his way alone, all that we send into the life of others comes back into our own." -WWH

hodge on 23 Jan 2013 - 3:22am #

Those things are an absolute godsend when snowboarding. If you're into winter sports, I highly recommend their use.

ohhiyo on 23 Jan 2013 - 4:45am #

i use this too, really helps pick up the ladies

Buckeyeneer on 23 Jan 2013 - 8:49am #

Beardo http://www.beardowear.ca/

"Because the rules won't let you go for three." - Woody Hayes
THE Ohio State University

Unky Buck on 23 Jan 2013 - 9:12am #

Wow, thanks for the replies, everyone. I posted this before I went to bed. I didn't think that I'd have this many responses by morning.

I'll check out the recommendations and go from there. I'm sure I'll find reviews on all of this stuff...thank God for the internet.

Buckeyevstheworld on 23 Jan 2013 - 9:26am #

The weather has put a huge dent in my workout plans. Well as far as the running goes. I'm not really worried about it being freezing, but the black ice is a concern.

"YOLO" = I'm about to do something extremely ignorant/stupid & I need an excuse to do it.

jbarnes2105 on 23 Jan 2013 - 9:56am #

Kudos to you for being able to run 10-12 miles in the cold. I ran 2 yesterday and thought i was going todie. They give us a fleece cap and tell us to suck it up in the military. I guess thats the only advice i can give.

steensn on 23 Jan 2013 - 2:33pm #

Vasoline, all I ever used. To get around the whole single digit problem when I was training for marathons I joined the Univ of Toledo's rec program so that I could use the indoor track. Yes, running is circles stinks, but running on a treadmill is even worse IMO. Was the best way to not have to go outside and not be stuck in the same spot staring at a wall, myself in a mirror, the alrge guy next to me, etc.

Maestro on 23 Jan 2013 - 4:58pm #

I use vasoline too, wait what are we talking about?

vacuuming sucks

steensn on 23 Jan 2013 - 7:46pm #

Not what you do to your dog each night, yikes!

Buckeyebrowny919 on 23 Jan 2013 - 5:19pm #

Vasoline is a godsend. Life-long runner here. I still wear shorts and a lighter hoodie. I have several pairs of simple cotton gloves that are used to wipe snot (gross but whatever lol) and then just wash them by themselves. Vasoline really does the trick though.

"Winter is coming" - Urban Meyer

Unky Buck on 23 Jan 2013 - 5:24pm #

Haha, it may be gross but it's definitely necessary. I have yet to go on a run in the cold weather where I haven't had to blow a snot-rocket off the side of the trail.