Some tips: Running on sleet/ice/snow

So, you decided to run eventhough it’s cold & slippery.

First, good for you! You truly have decided that weather is an excuse and probably follow the old proverb: “there is no bad weather, only bad clothing”.

True... my poor washing machine is exhausted when spring comes.

Before we get into this post I need to point out that extreme cold is proba bly not the best running weather (especially if you have sensitive/problematic lungs)…but you can always go for a brisk walk.

By extreme cold I mean temperatures below -15 Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit for you Imperials). Personally… I still go for runs as long as it isn’t below -20 C / -4 F.

Some tips for slippery conditions

These are my personal opinnions, I am not a professional runner and running is not my main form of exercise. So these tips are directed at “random”/”for fun”/”for health” -runners.

1. Don’t try to break speed records. The cold air can be damaging to your lungs, so keeping a moderat pace where you aren’t panting during the whole excercise. Another problem with increased speed is the increased risk for slipping and falling due to loss of traction.

Ouch.

2. Chainge your “center of gravity”.
You shouldn’t run as you would in good conditions (i.e. weight shifted a bit front and an elliptical movement).
Instead, “think of Penguins”. Your leg movement should mimic this arctic bird. The weight should rest at your navel, on top of your hips, the leg movement should be shorter and more circular.

To the left: Yes. To the right: No!

3. Choose your path wisely.
This depends a lot on the weather… but I will be describing what I see as “difficult conditions” i.e. little to no snow and black ice.

When you go for the run try to aim your path in such a manner that you are running either on gravel or sand (be it on the snow or parts where there are no snow). Try to avoid asphalt unles you are 100% sure ther is no ice.

This kind of weather is challenging, but fun.

Should one run on “pure snow”?…Yes and no. Depends on the snow, if it is hard and slippery…or thinly veiled on black ice, try to avoid it.

4. Running in the dark. If you are like me and go on runs when it is dark…remember to use ALOT of reflectors or luminous badges.
We on foot see quite well in the dark…but for a driver…well a pedestrian is virtually invisible.

Dark, windy, cold and slippery. In other words, great running weather.

5. Should one get IceBugs/O-shoes/Other shoes with studs/dubs/screws?
The internet has several opinnions on this.
My opinion is simply; Why would you waste money on that?
They only work in “the right conditions”. If the ice or snow layer is too thin…you will damage your back, the shoes and the pavement0. If absolute speed is not your main goal in running when conditions are slippery…do not bother.

If i ever would find the need for improved grip (which can be adjusted a lot by the running technique) I would instead buy a removable traction aid.

Something like this.

Or if I would be really posessed with the spirit of MacGyver. I would mount own studding by installing screws.

My hero!

…yes I’m cheap 😀

By following the advice above you should manage running in sleet conditions just fine.
Here is some data from my “slippery run”.

This is Celsius...so not that cold, actually. The wind was quite brutal though.

For you imperials out there: 6.027 mph

Yes, I know that 9.7 Kph isn’t “that fast”. But considering that in good conditions I tend to favour a speed somewhere between 10.5 Kph and 11.5 Kph …it’s not lousy.

Good luck… hope these tips help.