running in the winter...scares me. tips?

I'm new to running, I never thought I liked that kind of exercise until this summer I thought I'd give it a try. It was really hard to stay motivated and I thought I'd never reach that "runners high" everyone always talks about. But it made me feel so great once I got into it! I never really trained properly but every morning i would jog to a nearby park and run around it once or twice ( maybe a mile?) but it was great! then as the days got colder I sort of stopped...because I guess I didnt feel comfortable enough in my endurance level to face the cold? I dont know. Now I miss it but I feel like such a beginner and I dont even really know what i'm supposed to wear or whether speed and distance should be adjusted for the cold? any tips? how do i get my butt out the door when its windy and cold?

Wed. Dec 13, 11:58pm

Get an exercise partner. Seriously. That's the only thing that works for me. If I know I'm meeting her at 6am in the morning, I'll get up. If it's only me going, I will roll over and snooze.

Try layering... I wear a long t-shirt with a sweater over it, and another sports sweater over it. Sweatpants, warm socks, gloves and a hat. Don't worry about what you look like! At that time of the morning, who cares?

Good luck!

Thursday, December 14, 2006, 8:12 AM

Just do it. You won't regret it once you start. Have your clothes ready for you, whether it's first thing in the AM or right after work. Heck, change into your running clothes before you leave work if you have to. I kind of like to run in the AM because it is at least light outside at 6:45 AM.

I wear a neoprene face mask which protects from wind burn and also helps warm up the air (otherwise, I get a bad cough from breathing the cold air).

Don't run if it's icy, and if it's deep snow (2' or so), walk right through it - it really works different muscles and gets the heart pumping.

Thursday, December 14, 2006, 11:22 AM

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