Don't Let the Cold Stop You!

So, it's winter... But, don't let the cold stop you from getting out there and leaving your footprints in the snow!

Tips for a good cold run:

Dress Warm!

When dressing for a cold day of running, it is important to dress in layers, rather than just throwing on a heavy coat. Dressing in layers keeps heat in! When dressing, the most fitted clothing should be worn underneath all others in order to trap body heat in. The first layer should be long sleeved. Personally, I wear a long sleeve shirt, followed by a t-shirt, and depending on how cold it is, one more layer, or a running jacket. 

Fun fact: All layers to DO NOT have to be long sleeve, because the core of the body is the most important thing to keep warm. 

Wear shoes with minimal mesh. 

Many models of running shoes are covered in mesh so that the feet can breathe. However, in the winter this is not a good thing. So, it's a good idea to pick out a pair of running shoes specifically for the cold seasons that have as little mesh as possible. This will help keep feet warm, and keep water and slush out!

Save the wind for last! 

Running against the wind is never a runner's friend. However, planning a run based on the direction of the wind can be of much help in the cold. Before beginning to run, notice what direction the wind is blowing, and run against it first. This is helpful because at the beginning of a run, no sweat has been produced. The cold wind against sweat can make one significantly colder, so get it out of the way and run with the wind on the return home. 

Get those clothes off!

When running, naturally, a lot of body heat is produced, even in the cold. When one stops running, body temperature cools of significantly, and very quickly. So, it's important to take off cold, wet clothes and put on something warm immediately after returning from running to avoid that awful after-chill. 

Still don't think you can do it?

Here's a little inspiration... 

Hypothermic Half-Marathon

Temperatures have plummeted to well below 0 degrees in past years, these folks in Ottawa, Canada still show up to run, every year!

The Story of the First Marathon

A marathon is a 26.2 mile race ran on foot. 

So, how did the random distance of 26.2 miles come to be the length of the marathon? 

In the year 490 BC the Persians had assembled their army just outside of Athens on the plains on Marathon, and were ready for attack. The Greek were going to be significantly outnumbered and wanted to call upon the Sparta for help. The Athenian Generals sent a man named Phidippides to run on foot to ask the help of Sparta. The run was 140 miles long and Phidippides reached his destination in only 36 hours. The Sparta denied helping the Athenians until the moon was full due to religious beliefs. Phidippides then had to run back to deliver the bad news to his people; another 140 miles!

Phiddipides made it back to Athens and fought with their army, and although outnumbered, defeated the Sparta. After their victory the Generals called upon Phidippides one more time to run back home to Athens from the plains of Marathon to deliver the good news, 26 miles away. After having run 280 miles in the last few days and having fought in battle, he pushed his body to the limit and took the challenge. He reached Athens in 3 hours, delivered his message, and died shortly after of exhaustion. 

Centuries later the Olympics introduced the first "marathon" as a distance of 24.5 miles, then, in 1908 the distance was changed to 26 miles due to a desired course in London, and 385 yards (.2 miles) was tacked on the end so the runners would end in front of King Edward VII's royal box. Finally, after over 15 years of extremely heated arguments and discussions, the official distance of a "marathon" was set at 26.2 and officially took effect at the Olympics in Paris in 1924. 

There you have it! The Legend of the Marathon. Today there are countless marathons are run all over the world. My mother herself is a marathon runner, and she has inspired me to follow in her footsteps. So, in June I'll be entering in my first half marathon! Taking it one step at a time, and one foot in front of the other. 

Sources: 

Ostapuk, Paul. "The Marathon Story." N.p., <http://www.lakepowell.net/marathon.htm>.

Clark, Michael. "The Real Story of the Marathon." Runners World. N.p., 23 Mar 2003. Web. 26 Jan 2012.