Winter prep--running

I was stuck running with ^^^ that trouble maker last winter.

My favorite pair of running pants for cold weather are made by Sporthill and can be seen here at Mile Marker Sports they also have great tops for winter, I just don't know if there are issues shipping to Canada:

http://milemarkersports.com/product.php?TypeID=2100&gender=m

There expensive but work well and last a long time.  I have three pairs and probably won't need to buy another pair for several years.  For hydration I would carry a fanny pack with a bottle of water with a screw off top, as sports bottles, cambelbaks, etc seem to freeze once were into the teens (F) or below.  Trail shoes with some type of water resistant or waterproof type material seem to keep the feet a bit warmer then your normal airy running shoes.  I've never had to do the duct tape on the shoes but will consider it this winter.  If things get icy I've been real happy with these:

http://www.surefoot.net/products_details.php?cat=89&prod=7

Good luck

I have come to prefer winter running to summer running and will run in temps down to -45C (-49 F). I use similar layers as above, but have never tried duct tape! I use the Running Rooms winter socks which are heavier but still wick away and do not have issues with cold toes  - which did surprise initially.  This past winter I got re-usable chemical warmers called Emerald Sun for my hands and I LOVE them. I also use grippers on my runners sometimes to prevent slipping.

I live in new england and ran all alst winter outside despite a very cold and snowy winter preping for the Boston marathon.  I recomend:
-long sleeve moisture wicking shirt
-gloves...sometimes I wore gloves with mittens over them
-fleece.. a good feece and a moisture wicking shirt took me on most my runs even down to negative fareinhiet.....layering is key
-hat..mine was moisture wicking by nike
-gator for neck and can pull up over nose on really cold/a nd or windy days
-pants...i had some warmer under armour tights and somtimes I layered loose running pants with running tights.
-wool socks...sometimes I layered
-also yak traks for snowy days to put over your sneaks
-oh and chapstick

Are you following a training plan?  When does it start and what is the "long run" in those first couple weeks?  You may find that most of your winter running is 5-10Km (since you're in Canada, Eh?) so 30-60 minutes give or take.  You may find you slow down a little if it's icy or snowy.  It really doesn't take much for relatively short runs in the winter.  I have a wind jacket that I can't really wear unless it's <-10C or I'll overheat.  Less than an hour and I rarely take food or water with me. 

Get some long-sleeve shirts in various weights.  Thin for 0-15C, Thick for -10-0C.  Below -10C or in the wind, add a shell to either the thin or thick shirt as your comfort dictates.  Same thing with tights/windpants.  I have a nylon shell or thin tights that I wear -5 to +5C (usually shorts above +5C).  I have a thicker pair of tights for -15--5C.  Below -15C and I'll probably put on the thin tights plus the nylon pants.  Decent wool socks and shoes big enough for your feet plus the socks.  I wear the cheap knit gloves ($1-2) from -5-+5C.  I have some Manzella windblocker gloves if it's colder or windy and some performance fleece gloves if it's <-15C.  I usually wear either a running hat (baseball style) (-5-+10C) or cheap knit hat (-15--5C).  Sometimes, I wear a knit headband to protect my ears.  I do have a balaclava, but haven't had too many days where it was cold enough to use it. 

Lip balm and maybe some lotion on your face and then generous lotion on the lower legs after the run. 

Sunglasses during the daytime or clear safety glasses at night to keep my eyes from watering. 

High-vis vest AND active lighting (headlamp and/or blinky red LED) since you'll be running in conditions that other people/drivers aren't expecting runners. 

Well, best of luck in your training. Lots of good advice. Edmonton winters are colder than Toronto winters but my advice:

- my standby's are - gloves, tights, a fleece, windproof shell, some windpants (thought you may want some lined ones - i see how freakin cold Edmonton can get), a neckwarmer, the 'winter weight' socks (these are awesome!!), a toque with at least a wicking material liner and sunglasses for sunny days.  Oh and some change for a hot coffee/chocolate afterwards :D

- also if you're doing weekday outdoor running invest in some personal lights - i have a blinker and an led armband. So much safer when people can see you in the dark.

Other advice - know not solicited:
- find a group to train with (runningroom is popular and works - i've done it) and especially if you're going to find it hard to get out the door it's great to know you have a goup to get out with who plans the routes and distances for you.  And you may find that you'll get out no matter what which can make you feel tough as nails which is great mental training!

- my winter running has almost exclusively been outdoors except this past year when i wanted to run a faster race in March then i took my tempo work indoors to the TM.  don't expect to be fast in the winter 'cause things like cold muscles, darn snow and ice will make it not worth pushing so hard to get up to specific paces (and it could be dangerous to do so).  You'll be fine when May rolls around for the race - you'll be basking in warmer temps and feeling the great effects of putting in solid training in the cruddy weather

- wear any water bottles as close to your skin as possible to try to keep them from freezing. I hate when I want water but my bottles are frozen and sports drink becomes slush and is equally difficult to drink that way.

x2

- I keep the small blinking lights my kids get from their schools for halloween and use them for my morning runs since it gets light so late through the winter months

- in addition to any fluids, keep any battery operated mp3's/ipods next to your body too! The batteries can't take the same cold we can    Lol I went so far as to devise a little fleece cover for my polar foot pod 'cause the battery would freeze - it didn't work, modifications in progress...