How do midwest runners do it?

1. It’s not going to be super cold every morning.

2. The Midwest is just cold, wear the right clothes, try to run when there’s daylight, make use of treadmills/stationary bikes if it’s absolutely necessary. Otherwise just tough it out, good runners find a way to deal with the cold.

You just kind of get used to it. The cold isn't really going to affect your performance the same way humidity or extreme heat will, so you just kinda have to tough it out. It will only stop you as much as you let it stop you.

Man leggings, a good thermal top, and a beanie baby!

I live in a neighboring state. There is a science to running in the cold. You should be relatively cold the first couple miles. If you get hot too early, you are overdressed and will start to sweat under the layers. My rule of thumb was -20 windchill or below is too cold because my face would sting, and I hate wearing a face mask to run. Otherwise, just look out for good traction, I prefer gravel roads in the winter. If you are located in a city you’ll have to figure out trails or sidewalks that are kept most clean.

All things considered, I’d much rather tough out the cold than treadmill it all winter. Some of my best long runs in college were over winter break, running in the country, icicles down my beard and eye lashes. It’s almost kind of fun. ;)

The right gear gets me to around 20-25 F. I can run at colder temperatures, but it's kind of miserable. Other people handle it better. You also need to worry about timing (in December-January, if you run at 4:00 PM, it could be dark by the time you get back; aim to run at 3:00 PM). Traction is also an issue - traction aids will work on ice for maybe 4 miles, and fresh snow isn't too bad if it isn't deep, but fresh snow on top of ice is bad. Make sure to add some lighting or reflective material if you run in the dark.

Find an indoor track. It can be boring, but it beats running outside at 0 F or in the dark on icy roads.

Use a treadmill. It's even more boring, but maybe you can set up a TV to watch or something?

Get a spin bike. It's even more boring than a treadmill, but you can buy one for your apartment for $400 or less. Also, 5 minutes biking makes a great warm-up before going outside to run.

Basic kit: running pants over running shorts, long sleeve shirts (add an extra as it gets colder), running jacket, gloves, thin head covering.

Extra credit (down to 0 F): tights as 2nd leg layer, balaclava/fleece cap, fleece mittens

Whatever you do DO NOT discuss the wind chill as the actual temperature. That will get you killed in the midwest. We like to take our temperature straight.

Back in the 80's I remember reading an interview with the head of the Finnish Athletic Assoc. He was trying to revive the sport to the old days of Nurmi. The problem was all the top runners wanted money to head someplace warm for the winter or they couldn't train. Then one day he was at an event with some of the old timers and he asked where they trained in the winter. They told him they just went out in the snow! Dress in layers. The body produces a lot of heat. Ears, fingers and gentiles are the places that will have trouble. As a New Englander I seldom wear a hat or gloves for an entire run.

you'll get some of the worst months but also some of the best. it will only be truly miserable for january and february. march can have some great days and it can have 12" snowfalls, ice, etc. may is probably my favorite month here.

re: is it worth trying to run when it's below zero - i would say if you have access to a gym those days, do it. i have run in those temps many times, but it's definitely a bit of a grind especially if you're alone. it's not usually that cold for more than a couple days at a time, the exception being the dreaded polar vortex that shows up every now and then.

We take our plowing (both kinds!) pretty seriously up here. You’ll find trails and roads pretty well cleared in the winter. We are a hardy bunch so you’ll see life doesn’t stop in the winter up here. You know when Atlanta gets 2 inches of snow and it’s like the apocalypse. Different story here. We get 12 inches and life goes on as normal.

Also take it as an opportunity to try some xc skiing. Great cross training.

Tbh, it’s kinda something fun to embrace. You get to shop for sweet new gear and it’s DANG refreshing when you’re done

Buy the right gear and you can run in negative temps. I've lived in FL and the Midwest and find it much easier to run in a Midwest winter than a FL summer.

Configuration is as follows:

Three items covering torso, two covering mid region.

Example -

Under Armour Compression Turtleneck

Long sleeve dri fit

Vest

Tights

Running Pants

Just be sure youve got your little guy covered. The unthawing process in the shower can be excruciating.

I will assume you don’t have winter running gear, and not looking to invest since short term.

I would do treadmill speed workouts vs slogging on a treadmill for endless miles. There are gyms/clubs everywhere. Do strength and other cross training. Get out when you can even if a walk or hike.

Embrace the opportunity to mix it up from your normal routine. Rent some xc skis/ snowshoes and go explore.

Running in winter is awesome. Very peaceful with empty routes (e.g. no groups of landwhales clogging the path)

After half a mile, the engine warms up and it is no different than running in summer (actually it's easier because your body isn't struggling to dissipate heat).

Essentials: gloves, hat, wind breaking briefs to protect your junk. 40-50F shorts and t shirt. 30-40 long running tights and long shirt. 20-30 same but another top layer. 0-20 same with something to cover your neck. <0 I do treadmill intervals because your eyes can hurt, luckily these days are rare.

Running in snow is easy - minneapolis plows bike paths if that is where you are coming. Never once needed "traction aids" whatever the hell that is

I live in the Twin Cities. You can run outside pretty much the whole time. They are very good at clearing off the bike paths if it snows, and my suburb is very good at clearing the roads. For the cold you will need layers. And if it's below about 0 degrees or maybe 5 degrees you should probably wear some buffer over your mouth so that you don't breathe in too much of the really cold air, again I wouldn't really worry about this unless it's below 0. You'll want to wear running tights as well as running pants in the 10-20 degree range, when it's 0 or below you'll probably want even an extra layer around your man piece so that that doesn't freeze. I've had it two times where I didn't have enough protection around my man piece and it started to bleed out the tip from poor circulation. Up top you'll want a legit running jacket, with long sleeves and something else underneath. Layers are good.

What area is the work? I'd suggest making sure you're within a half mile or so from one of the bike good bike paths. They are all along the river on both sides, around any of the lakes, and then there are a few that connect the lakes toward the river.

Lots of good advice and input already.

Actually an inspiring discussion for the cold weeks ahead.

One thing that hasn't been stressed enough. Make sure you have a hat or head band that covers your ears. They are definitely susceptible to frostbite. Happened to me back in the day. Extremely painful.

Otherwise, embrace it. Have fun.

It's more difficult to start in the cold. It's difficult to finish in the heat.

1: layers.

2: learn your threshold. some people can run in extreme ocld; others can't. Find your breaking point, and then don't suck out if it's warner than that.

3: don't give yourself excuses. Dick Beardsley's from Minnesota. If he could do it, so can you.

I would also add that you make sure you run into the wind first. You don't want to get all hot and sweaty by going with a breeze and then turn into the wind and freeze.