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2007-02-02 8:56 AM

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Subject: uhh how cold is too cold to run?
I guess I finally am getting curious. This weekend here in Detroit its supposed to be single digits and -digits with wind chill. I did a run last week in 2 degrees at night, and while it was cold, i made the 6 miles, but is there a certain point its dangerous on your lungs or body or anything?


2007-02-02 9:14 AM
in reply to: #676635

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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?

I ran this morning (probably 5F) without any problems.  I'll probably be outside once or twice this weekend (below 0F) too. 

If breathing the cold air is a problem, wear a scarf or balaclava over your mouth.  I get lots of sinus drainage, so I try to keep my face uncovered. 

2007-02-02 9:20 AM
in reply to: #676635

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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?
yeah that was my problem to, i end up uncovering my mouth. i pulled out the snowboarding hats and face things.. those have gone on to.
2007-02-02 9:23 AM
in reply to: #676635

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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?
Single digit and negative single digit F shouldn't be any problem as long as you are dressed for it. In temps like that I wear a thermal underwear top under my running jacket (lightly lined with fleece). I wear a pair of thermal tights on the bottom. As temperatures go below -20C I will wear a balaclava instead if a light hat and if colder I will wear long johns under the tights. I do notice that I am working a bit harder than usual generating extra heat.

D
2007-02-02 9:52 AM
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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?
It's freakin cold in in Chicago these days, supposed to be single digits w/ sub zero lows and wind chills this weekend. I am still outside to walk our dogs at least twice a day for 20 minutes each, but this is cold enough to send me to the gym and the treadmill.

With a face mask and layers, I can stay comfortable outside but my muscles take forever to warm up and seem to stay much tighter than normal. I feel like I'm having a more productive time w/o enduring the elements by going to the gym. Once it gets back above 10 degrees (F) I'll by back outside.
2007-02-02 9:57 AM
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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?
Someone told me recently to be careful not to get frostbite in my lungs when working out on really cold days. Breathing in through my nose or using a balaclava were recommended since it warms up the air a little, but I usually end up yanking down the balaclava and am not very good about continuous nose breathing. Anyone know if this is a real risk?


2007-02-02 9:57 AM
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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?
You should be fine. Studies have shown you are safe to -25
2007-02-02 9:58 AM
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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?
I've never heard of frostbite in your lungs. I think you'd have to be dead for that to occur.
2007-02-02 10:08 AM
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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?

From the National Weather Service:

Saturday...Partly cloudy. Highs around zero. Northwest winds around 15 mph with gusts to around 30 mph. Wind chill readings 20 below to 30 below zero.

I'm all for bundling up and getting out there. But I think it may be too cold to run outside tomorrow.

2007-02-02 10:12 AM
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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?
Well i normally would try very hard to suck it up and go on the treadmill at this point.. but no way for a 12 mile run. So i will layer on up
2007-02-02 10:23 AM
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Coach
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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?
NEVER! just layer up and suck it up


2007-02-02 10:27 AM
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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?
As long as you're dressed for the weather (so you're neither too warm nor too cold), you'll be fine. Some people like to cover their faces when they run, but that's usually more of a comfort thing than an actual necessity. i was fine this morning running when it was 1F this morning, and i have asthma with cold weather as a trigger. Get your shoes on and go!
2007-02-02 10:28 AM
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2007-02-02 10:40 AM
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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?

Just get out there and do it - remember that you can add about 20 degrees to the temp when you start running (well, to the "perceived" temp anyway) and get all warmed up.  So for me this morning, here in Denver, that would have meant it felt like a whopping 13 degrees (-7 at 6 a.m.!!!).  But alas -- not a run day for me  

I just have to make sure my fingers are good, and everything else seems to just warm up eventually.  Never had a prob with "lung-bite"... 

2007-02-02 10:46 AM
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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?
AdventureBear - 2007-02-02 9:58 AM

I've never heard of frostbite in your lungs. I think you'd have to be dead for that to occur.


I just read the Running in the Cold thread which linked to an article saying that's actually case as far as the author could find. I'm totally forwarding the email to the person who told me that.
2007-02-02 10:55 AM
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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?
I've got a 35k x-c ski race scheduled for Sunday in the Twin Cities.  Supposed to be minus 15 for the low Sat. night, and minus 30 wind chills during the race.  They've already decided to delay the start time by one hour, but its still going to be chilly.  


2007-02-02 11:44 AM
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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?
Well hey, at least I know im not the only one who thinks its perfectly ok to go out in these temperatures. My friends and family were starting to make me question my sanity for a second with all the pleading to NOT RUN THIS WEEKEND! I havent died yet have I.
2007-02-02 12:57 PM
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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?

TheSchwamm - 2007-02-02 10:27 AM As long as you're dressed for the weather (so you're neither too warm nor too cold), you'll be fine. Some people like to cover their faces when they run, but that's usually more of a comfort thing than an actual necessity. i was fine this morning running when it was 1F this morning, and i have asthma with cold weather as a trigger. Get your shoes on and go!

you are one crazy chick. I could barely get out of my bed today it was so cold! 

2007-02-02 1:09 PM
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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?
ran for an hour yesterday. Temp was -4 with -24 windchill. was wearing running shorts long underwear, paclight2 goretex pants, 2 long sleeve training shirts, hoodie, fleece and paclight2 goretex jacket, face mask, beanie, and gloves. took the mask off while running home with the wind. When I got home I had frost on the inside of the goretex, but was toasty warm inside. Have at times been, felt a shortness of breath when in the cold, but is usually cured by breathing through some kind of material, such as baclava or scarf. My biggest concern is to get any area wet with sweat then exposing. Be very careful of this as it will turn to frost bite almost instantly.Lowest I have ran was around -35 wind chill, and survived. just dress warm, you can peel off layers as needed, just dont' wait until your covered in sweat to unlayer

Good Luck,
Mike
2007-02-02 1:15 PM
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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?
You have to be prepared for it and frankly I will not do below zero anymore. I am too big for my winter clothes so I am not going to do below zero. Alot of people I know will not do zero. Windchill does not count at all in there temp readings either. Frankly I do not like running in anything below 30 degrees. Some people do well. Also depends how long you are running and how good for a runner you are. I would not travel far from home if you are alone since if you get into trouble you can be really really cold.
2007-02-02 1:24 PM
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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?
possum - 2007-02-02 12:57 PM

TheSchwamm - 2007-02-02 10:27 AM As long as you're dressed for the weather (so you're neither too warm nor too cold), you'll be fine. Some people like to cover their faces when they run, but that's usually more of a comfort thing than an actual necessity. i was fine this morning running when it was 1F this morning, and i have asthma with cold weather as a trigger. Get your shoes on and go!

you are one crazy chick. I could barely get out of my bed today it was so cold!



Heh, today was the first day in WEEKS i was up early enough to run. i wasn't going to miss my chance!


2007-02-02 1:30 PM
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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?

NEVER!

LAYERS...that's what its all about.

I absolutely despise the treadmill with every fiber of my being and refuse to use it unless all hell is breaking loose outside. It all depends on your tolerance level. I don't even wear my running tights unless it is well below freezing...keeps me motivated to run faster! Besides, after a few minutes the skin exposed goes a little numb and you don't even notice the cold anymore Laughing



Edited by Big Red 2007-02-02 1:31 PM
2007-02-02 1:34 PM
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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?
Big Red - 2007-02-02 1:30 PM

NEVER!

LAYERS...that's what its all about.

I absolutely despise the treadmill with every fiber of my being and refuse to use it unless all hell is breaking loose outside. It all depends on your tolerance level. I don't even wear my running tights unless it is well below freezing...keeps me motivated to run faster! Besides, after a few minutes the skin exposed goes a little numb and you don't even notice the cold anymore Laughing

Well said, but, you're in Texas, man.  We're not exactly feelin' for ya.    (I know, I'm sure it gets cold occasionally...I'm just giving you a hard time! )

Here's the article referenced above that I linked in the other thread from Runner's World.
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-267-269-7442-0,00.html

2007-02-02 1:38 PM
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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?

tc681 - 2007-02-02 11:46 AM
AdventureBear - 2007-02-02 9:58 AM I've never heard of frostbite in your lungs. I think you'd have to be dead for that to occur.
I just read the Running in the Cold thread which linked to an article saying that's actually case as far as the author could find. I'm totally forwarding the email to the person who told me that.

Make sure you send them a link to http://www.snopes.com as well...that way, when they want to email you with news that Microsoft is giving away billions of dollars to people like you and me, they verify authenticity first...

2007-02-02 5:54 PM
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Subject: RE: uhh how cold is too cold to run?
This is from the runners world article linked to above:

----------------------

I have just about given up on my quest when I receive an e-mail from one of Steve Bainbridge's running partners in Fairbanks. Owen Hanley, M.D., is a pulmonary specialist, so he knows lungs, and he has seen the frozen variety. "It's easy to develop frozen lungs," Hanley says. "You simply have to die in the icy outdoors, and then your lungs will freeze along with the rest of you."

So, it is possible for your lungs to freeze. Only not while you're alive and running. To stay comfortable in frigid weather, wear a microfiber shirt as a first layer, followed by a breathable windbreaker, gloves or mittens, and a hat. Begin by running into the wind, not with it, which will keep you from sweating too much. Sweat is bad in winter, as water robs heat from your body up to 25 times faster than trapped air does.

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