Monday, April 8, 2019

Dressing for a Cold-Weather Run


Dr. Mark Moynier, a dentist in Colorado, practices with BrightNow! Dental. An avid runner, he has participated in over a dozen marathons since 2003, including the New York City Marathon and the Boston Marathon. Running is one of Dr. Mark Moynier’s favorite morning activities.

Many runners prefer staying indoors during the winter instead of running in cold weather. However, as long as you dress properly, there is no reason you shouldn't run in the cold.

During outdoor runs in the winter, you lose about 10 percent of your body heat from your head. Wearing a hat or cap isn’t enough, however, since you also need to protect your face from the cold. To do this, wear a face mask, scarf, or bandanna with a thermal hat.

From there, protect your torso and legs by dressing in warm layers. For the base layer, wear a thin, synthetic material, such as polypropylene, to wick moisture from the body. Wear an insulating layer of fleece or another warm material for the middle layer, and wear a waterproof/windproof layer on the outside.

Finally, to keep your feet dry and warm, wear wicking sock liners underneath warm fleece or wool socks. You may also need larger running shoes to accommodate the thick socks. Your shoes must be comfortable and water-resistant.