Five Safety Tips For Winter Running

As a Floridian, I don’t often have to worry about safety tips for winter running. We do get colder days (even weeks), but we are also insulated from the “real” winter dangers. That being said, let’s talk about how to stay safe and well in the winter months.

Stay Hydrated

The easiest thing to forget when it’s cold is to hydrate properly. When I don’t sweat, I forget to drink, and sweating is definitely harder when it’s cold. No matter the temperature, your body still needs fluids and electrolytes to function at its best, so don’t neglect your water!

Mind The Ice

Ice is beautiful, but so very dangerous. If you don’t watch your footing, you could easily slip and fall. Even worse, if you’re not aware of the road conditions around you, a vehicle could potentially skid in your direction. Mind your step, wear Yaktrax or similar spikes to help keep you from sliding, and be careful!

Protect Your Eyes

Again, as a Floridian, I am used to protecting my eyes from the strong sun. Winter weakens the light a little, but there are snowy places where it reflects off the shiny white surface, and can do so damage to your sight. Be mindful that a good pair of sunnies are a small thing that can do so much for you.

Keep Your Extremities Warm

Your fingers, toes, ears, and nose are all parts that are more easily affected by cold temperatures, so take a little extra care when getting dressed to run. Invest in gloves, smartwool socks, balaclavas, beanies, and anything that will help keep your extremities nice and toasty on your cold run.

Get Warmed Up… Literally

An often ignored safety tip for winter running is making sure you warm up! The cold can work against our muscles and while a good stretch is always optimal, it’s even more important in lower temperatures. Take the extra few minutes to prime those muscles before you head out for your workout. Your summer running self will thank you.

What are your favorite safety tips for winter running? Did I cover them all?

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