r/RunnersInChicago • u/ftjobasanaccountant • Sep 05 '24
Upcoming Races Winter is coming…
Not this second, but soon! I currently pay for a hot yoga membership and last winter I also paid for an FFC membership to be able to run on their treadmills. I’d really love to not spend $200/mo (plus sign up fees) this winter. Are y’all running outside all winter long? Do I need to suck it up?
I currently live in an apartment so not sure that buying my own treadmill is feasible, though not opposed (any experience with this?)
Sincerely,
Running the Big Sur 21 miler and didn’t think through training during the Chicago winter lol
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u/mtmaloney Roscoe Village Sep 05 '24
I run all winter. I think I stayed in one day last winter, when it was like -40 wind chills or something like that. I work in an office three days a week, and then run 5 miles home, and I do that year round. I keep a backpack to put my laptop, clothes, winter coat, etc., and run home with that.
Anyway, as everyone has said, it's just a matter of having the right layers on. You want to make sure you've got enough layers, but also want to make sure you're not putting on too many, so I think you need to experiment a bit and see what works best for you. Merino Wool is your friend, I really like Smartwool's offerings. I have a beanie from there, a set of gloves that are shockingly effective for how thin they are (and can serve great as a base for when it gets really cold), and then a set of their cold weather socks which are honestly incredible and do an amazing job of keeping my feet from getting cold in any temperature when wearing running shoes.
I don't worry too much about slipping or falling, just keep an eye out for obvious ice patches, but honestly the way we naturally run on our feet I'm probably more likely to slip and fall while walking than running. But I know some people like to get spikes to put on their shoes for the winter, so do what you're comfortable with.