Well I just PCS'd up to Elmendorf from Keesler and well... a little different weather.

I went running and afterwards I couldn't feel my face and I didn't start sweating till I was inside and had warmed up... And this was on a temperate day.. I can't stand treadmills, so any adivce on equip would be great. The ice is a pain in the arse to.

Search: "cold weather" in the running forum. this topic has been discussed before.

I live in georgia and During December it was low 40's I ran anyways someone said wear a scarf or something and breath through that to warm your air up so you dont get sick. I get numb and all I just figured the more colder I am the more I will run to warm up.

mike

Here are some basic tips:

Clothing:
It need not be expensive. You don't have to have Polypro unerwear and a Gortex running suit. I tend to wear a standard issue T-shirt or long sleeve shirt under a cheap Nylon running suit. Just by adding a hat and gloves, I can get by with this outfit down to 35 degrees F or so. From 35 to 25 degrees F, I just go to a single layer of polypro underwear under the nylon suit. Below 25 degrees, I put on more layers and might wear a scarf over my face. I rarely run outside if the temperature is below 20 degrees F, though I have run in 60 below with wind chill just to see if I could. 20 minutes into the run, I had to duck into some woods to get out of the wind. I don't advise it, but it can be done.
Wear Layers:
Polypro or warm layer next to skin
More layers as needed
Wind/water resistant layer on the outside
Outer layer should have zippers so you can unzip to cool off or zip up to stay warm
Pay attention to neck and wrist areas, adjustable zippers at the neck and cuffs you can roll up will widen the temperature range at which your outfit is comfortable.
In general, several t-shirst, socks, shorts and one set of long johns and a cheap nylon running suit will get you by.
Add hat and gloves for colder temps
Scarf over the mouth is good for really low temps

Wind:
Run into the wind early on run and put it at your back on the return. It is better to have the wind at your back when you are tired. Also, sweat builds builds up while you run and for some reason it is a lot colder to have the wind hit the sweat on the front of your body then when it hits your back. If you run into the wind on the early part of the run then turn around, you will be a lot more comfortable.

Snow and ice:
There is no reason not to run in shallow snow if you are careful, infact, it can add resistance and novelty to the run. The danger is hidden obstructions, branches, curbs, holes, etc under the snow. Always run on paths and roads you are familiar with and slow down as necessary.
I tend to limit my runs to snow that is less than a foot deep though I have run in deeper snow for a few hundred yards in open fields just to try it out-very tiring.
Ice is another matter, avoid it.

Precipitation:
Snow is usually not a problem for you as a runner but lowers visibility for motorists. You may need sun glasses to keep snowflakes out of your eyesTry to stay on trails or well onto the shoulder of roads when it is snowing. Also, you can run in a blizzard if you want to (I have) but you had better know your route very well. If the snow fall gets so heavy that you start losing sight of landmarks, go home ASAP.
Rain is actually a lot more of a problem than snow at lower temperatures, especially below 40 degrees F, because hypothermia can set in very quickly. If you have a rain resistant running suit, you will be fine. Cloth sweats like you are issued in the Pipeline rapidly soak up water and are not much good after about 30 minutes in the rain at 40 degreees F.
Freezing rain and sleet are treacherous because they combine all the bad stuff: poor visibility, poor traction, increased risk of hypothermia and are often accompanied by high winds. I used to run in freezing rain and sleet in college but I just don't do it anymore unless it comes on while I'm already running, then I usually cut the run short.

Visibility:
Winter weather often means restricted visibility due to fog, rain, snow, and hours of darkness in the early morning hours and late afternoon when most of us are free to train. Even the gray overcast and general bleakness of a winter's day can impede a motorist's ability to see a runner. If you can run at lunch time, do so. Visibility will be at its best and temps will be higher than in the morning. I advise wearing a reflective belt or vest such as those commonly issued at most bases. Many sporting goods stores sell small reflective armbands/legbands for a few bucks. Reflective gear can be a lifesaver in low vis situations, especially if you are running on roads. Bright colored jackets and sweats are good too.

In general, you can run in anything above 20 degrees (including wind chill) with a couple of layers of clothing and be fine.
Hope this helps. MC

Nice

thanks that helped me out to

I've noticed whenever I run in cold weather, I tend to get chest pains. I never have this problem in warm weather, so what's the deal here?

Ok, I just recently spent some time w/ a person that I would consider an expert in the field of running...Well, at least he was a running/football coach and could keep a 4:30 pace for a couple of miles. He'd also done a LOT of research...Regardless, he knows what he's talking about! Anyway, he told me to tough the pain out...it'll go away after a while. (I believe this topic was already covered in the forums, but I won't be a butthole about it.) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
It also helps to warmup/stretch outside in the cold air for 5-15min, just to let your lungs get acclamaited. good luck

Do not perform static stretches, before running!!!!!! I do not know how many times, I have to state this. If military personnel would spend sufficient time performing static stretches, AFTER physical training(30 min-1 hr), military personnel would know it is difficult to perform physical training, after proper static stretching!

Perform dynamic stretches aka 'pre stretches', instead of static stretching.

Ken, can you explain the difference between static and dynamic stretching for us non sport med majors? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Dynamic warm-ups stretch the muscles through extended motion and movement. Static stretching is very passive, while dynamic stretching is not.
I will try to get some pictures to you understand.

Appelton's guide to stretching explains the difference of different stretching techniques:

Types of Stretching
3.1 Ballistic Stretching
3.2 Dynamic Stretching
3.3 Active Stretching
3.4 Passive Stretching
3.5 Static Stretching
3.6 Isometric Stretching

It is here:
http://www.specialtactics.com/stretch.pdf

It is late fall. Colder Weather is on the way. I thought it might benefit everyone to read this string of posts again. I re-read the posts and have re-organized my cold wx running gear so it will be handy at O-Dark-Thirty in the morning. You may wish to do the same.

i found a site explaining the difference between static and dynamic stretches. It's got some animations for a few of these stretches just to give you an idea. http://www.acc.co.nz/wcm001/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=4092

Welcome to alaska brother! you will love the summers but as for the winter the only suggestion i can think of is to try cross country skiing. In the summer they have all kinds of marathons and different forms of adventure races, well sort of adventure races. The winter time though it's either hit the tread mill, swim, or ski! If you really like to get it on though there is always denali!

I used to live at Elmendorf Air Force Base until I moved to Nellis Air Force Base. I actually found it quit hard to run in the cold when I lived in Alaska. I just decided to try to tough it out. I eventually got better at it. You should make sure that you strech really well before you run also. I would take up about 20 minutes for streching.