{Guest Post} Cold Weather Favorites

As cold weather is hitting everywhere else in the US (except, you know, Southern California), I asked a few Sweat Pink sisters to share their favorites, tricks and tips for beating the ice and still staying on top of their fitness game in the winter. They'll be featured here this week! 

Last, but not least... Ivanna, from Petite Heartbeat!

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Cold weather running can be challenging. When I first moved to Denver in winter 2011, I knew my running life was over, at least for the season! :) Not only was it cold, I also couldn’t seem to adjust to the altitude. Being 5280 feet up was not agreeing with me.

I would usually run about 3-5 times a week before moving to Denver and that dropped to 1 time a week. Not cool! Well, certainly cool as in cold but not so awesome...  well you get the point. 

Needless to say I needed to do something, so first I stocked up on cold weather running gear. I purchased a breathable jacket, some gloves, hats and a balaclava to cover my mouth, thick socks also came in handy. My favorite cold weather gear came from Nike. They have a great selection of items my favorite being their compression leggings. These items helped me deal with the elements. 

Like these Nike ProHyperwarms! And the patterns are just fun.

Aside from staying warm, now I just needed to get my breathing down. In order to get into running shape in the altitude I would build my endurance by doing run/walk circuits. I ended up running more than walking in order to stay warm.

I now run 3-5 days a week, and when the temp is very cold and icy I just take it to the treadmill in my basement. This is probably my favorite cold weather running item!

Stay Warm and Run Fast!

xx Petite Heartbeat

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Make sure you follow Ivanna on  

• Instagram: @petite_heartbeat
• Twitter: @petiteheartbeat

Are you a "dreadmill" runner in the winter, or do you bear the temperatures (and weather) outside?

{Guest Post} Winter Running: All the Small Things

As cold weather is hitting everywhere else in the US (except, you know, Southern California), I asked a few Sweat Pink sisters to share their favorites, tricks and tips for beating the ice and still staying on top of their fitness game in the winter. They'll be featured here this week! 

Next up... Christine, from Run Out of the Box!

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Long-sleeved shirts and fleece-lined tights are important, but I’ve learned (the hard way, in some cases), that it’s the little things that make a difference when you’re running in the winter. A good cold gust of wind here or a slippery spot there, and running becomes painful at best, especially in below-freezing temperatures and on snowy days. 

Christine rockin' that winter running look!

Here are a few things I can’t live without when I’m braving New England winters for an outdoor run:

Neck gaiter: These nifty neck warmers are over in the ski department of the sporting goods stores. As someone who had avoided skiing all her life, I was delighted to discover these. They can sit around your neck or, in really cold weather, pull up over your mouth and nose to warm your breath as it enters your lungs.

Vaseline: My running buddy advised me to slather Vaseline on my face and lips before running outdoors in the winter. She was very, very right. In addition to not breaking out from it, it’s kept my face warm and guarded against windburn. As a bonus, Vaseline also comes in a cocoa butter scent (and I think a baby powder scent, too), a far cry from the petroleum odor I remember from my childhood.

Hats/gloves/mittens: If you’re balking at wearing a hat, you can totally take it off mid-run and stuff it in your waistband (as you can with gloves), or you can get a headband that covers your ears instead. On super-cold days, I’ve been known to wear gloves AND mittens, which makes manipulating my Garmin and iPod difficult but keeps my hands toasty. I usually pick up performance fleece hats and gloves at Old Navy on sale.

Bright jacket: I have a lightweight, bright orange running jacket from New Balance that I wear when I run on snowy days. Not everyone has their headlights on, and not everyone is paying attention, and the more visible I am, the less likely I am to get friendly with someone’s front bumper.

The Heads Up

The other small thing about winter running is that, even though it’s beautiful, it can be dangerous. In the early winter, fallen leaves can obscure patches of ice. Throughout the rest of winter, black ice is definitely a concern, especially since not everyone is meticulous about shoveling sidewalks. 

Basically, if it’s a shiny spot, I give it a wide berth, and I avoid running through patches of shade.

Also, I’ve tried running with metal treads on my shoes after the snow is done falling, but I find them bone-jarring. I hate to admit it, but I’ll end up heading to the treadmill on icy and slushy days.

Still, winter running can be beautiful, and it’s worth it to get a few small pieces of gear and take a few precautions to get out and enjoy it.

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Christine blogs about running, fitness, and healthy food at www.runoutofthebox.com. She trained for her first half marathon in the dead of winter in Massachusetts and owns more pairs of running tights (including fleece-lined) than she cares to admits. Find her at www.runoutofthebox.com, on Twitter @cparizo, or on Instagram @cparizo.

What are your winter running must-haves?

{Guest Post} Cold Weather Running Essentials

 Jacket // Purple Layer // 1/4 ZIP Layer // Running Tights // Shoes // Gloves // Neck Gaiter // Ear Band / Socks

As cold weather is hitting everywhere else in the US (except, you know, Southern California), I asked a few Sweat Pink sisters to share their favorites, tricks and tips for beating the ice and still staying on top of their fitness game in the winter. They'll be featured here this week! 

First up... Tiara, from Ice Cream and French Fries (two of my favorites)! 

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Hello Ladies! Tiara here -- you can typically find me blogging over at Ice Cream and French Fries about food, fitness (most recently fit pregnancy), mountain life and anything that strikes my fancy.

Moving from Southern California to Lake Tahoe nearly eight years ago was an adjustment. I quickly learned how to train outside during the winter. Today between November and April I split up runs between the treadmill and outside. My rule of thumb -- if the snow is flying it's a treadmill day. Let's be honest I'm probably snowboarding instead.

Today I'm sharing what I look for when buying winter running gear. Plus, a few of my favorite pieces.

1. A good pair of shoes. If you don't like your shoes then you probably wont last long. The Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra CS WP Trail Running Shoe is a great place to start. There are a few key components that make these great for running on snowy/wet trails/roads:

• ClimaShield membrane -- waterproof and breathable. Ideal balance of weather protection and breathability.

• Molded EVA, EVA shaped footbeds, and Ortholite technology supply solid comfort, support, and cushioning while you push it on the trail. Solid traction on uneven and sketchy terrain.

• Protective rubber toe caps, mud guards, and gusseted tongues protect your feet from trail debris.

Happy Running!
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http://icecreamandfrenchfries.blogspot.com/

What other essentials would you add to this list?
Along with shoes you'll want a nice pair of warm socks. I personally like Smartwool and own a variety for different activities i.e., snowboarding, walking the dog, snowshoeing, etc. Please note I'm not a fan or advocate of running on ice. Trust me your knees will thank you later.

2. Cold weather tights. Sorry normal running tights wouldn't cut it. Remember I said I'm in the mountains. Which means it's probably 30-40 degrees or colder outside. I tend to gravitate towards The North Face, but love these Patagonia tights. This is a personal preference because of fit, but you can't go wrong with any winter running tight from The North Face, Under Armour or Patagonia. I suggest trying on a few pairs.

3. A warm jacket that isn't bulky. You'll want a few jackets for different temps and distances. This season I bought the The North Face Women's Animagi Jacket. So far so good. When buying a winter running jacket I always look for something lightweight, breathable and wind proof. Tip: wind chill can drop the temp by 10 degrees sometimes!

4. Don't skip on layers. One layer is typically good. The North Face, Patagonia and Under Armour are my go to layers for winter running. Look for layers that are form fitting, moister wicking and breathable.

5. Accessories. Think gloves, headband, ear warmers, beanie or neck gator (optional). Depending on the person and distance you many not wear these items the entire run, but trust me you'll want them. The ear band is your best option. It will keep your ears warm without overheating.

Although gear options are endless the key is finding pieces that work well for you, your climate and budget. These are just a few items that I couldn't live without during the winter. Over the years I've bought off and name brand running gear and have found it's worth spending a little more on gear. They just seem to last longer as well as fit and perform better.


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Make sure you visit Tiara at Ice Cream & French Fries:

Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Pinterest

http://icecreamandfrenchfries.blogspot.com/

What other essentials would you add to this list?

When All You Want to do is Hibernate: Guest Post!

Today's guest post is from Larissa - another super fab #sweatpink sistah & admitted hibernation fan. Check our her blog here and feel free to follow her on Twitter while you're at it!

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Winter is upon us, and I am one of the first to go into hibernation.

I hate cold weather. My favorite temperature is 95 degrees and I don’t mind humidity. I’m shivering at 50 degrees and an ice cube below that. My hands and feet are perpetually cold.

Needless to say, I really don’t like winter. Cold weather, gray skies, big sweaters and holidays do a little something negative to my motivation.

Staying fit during the winter months is flat out tough. Here are a few tips that help me stay motivated:

1.     Good cold–weather gear.

I’m a frugal newly–wed still hacking away at school loans, so we really don’t spend a lot of money. Good workout gear isn’t really high on our needs list, but I have collected a few staples.

·         Soft long–sleeve top. I have a half–zip fleece top with a high collar. This works great for cool weather and is thin enough to put a jacket over in the cold.

·         A similar full­–zip jacket. In cool weather, I may take off the jacket, so having it unzip fully makes this easier.

·         A warm but lightweight active coat. I have a Fila Performance jacket that I absolutely love. The torso the sleeve lengths are perfect and it stays in place when I move. Some zipper pockets make it perfect.

·         Long pants, of course. I really don’t like working out in pants, but I’ve collected some decent ones. I do need a good active pair of leggings (rather than yoga pants that have a flair) so the cold air doesn’t get up under the hem.

·         Some good thick gloves and a hat or headband that covers my ears.

I don’t like working out in sweatshirts or anything with a hood; too bulky. I look for pieces that are warm, but lightweight and slim. I know there is a ton of great gear out there; this is just an example of what works for me on a small budget.

Plus, regardless of the season, who doesn’t love some new clothes? I’m also motivated to work out if it means I can wear something new that I love.

2.     Move indoors.

I’m an outdoors person – running, biking, walking, swimming, sports, etc. – but I do appreciate a good HIIT or strength workout in my living room. Some of my favorites include a Greatist workout of the day, a ZWOW from Zuzka Light, a video from Bex Boruki… or put together a set of your favorite exercises.

I like to keep a calendar or notebook to track my reps and time so I can see my improvement. An added plus is these workouts tend to take less time than a run. This season has a habit of being busy. That, paired with less motivation overall, can be a dangerous combination for our health.

Write down three or four of your favorite interval circuits so you always have something on hand. I always like new ones, of course, but if I’m in a hurry or feeling lazy, it helps to have sets I can pull out anytime.

3.     Change expectations.

During warm weather, I run a lot. The focus is more on building distance, working to increase speed, and spending hours of my weekend on the trail.

In the winter, I shift my goals to strength training. Right now I’m doing lots of squats, pushups and planks. As a runner, these core and leg exercises can make a big difference out on the pavement.

With regard to weight goals, I don’t really try to lose this time of year. I step on the scale maybe once a week to make sure I’m staying on track. Because guess what? It’s cold, we worked really hard in the summer and fall and it’s holiday time! We all know how to take care of our bodies, we know to not go crazy.

And we know that we all need to little break sometimes. So enjoy yourself! Enjoy your pie, enjoy the traveling and gifts and late night and the time away from your normal workouts. January will come soon enough and spring is around the corner.

The main thing for me is that I’m not expecting significant running improvement or weight loss during the winter. I’m expecting to have a great holiday season and then I’m expecting to work hard in other ways to improve my overall strength when the cold keeps me in inside.

What are your holiday and winter tips? I’m sure there are many other great ideas and I’d love to hear them!

- Larissa

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Thanks Larissa! 

Cold Weather Running

As I'm recovering from Wine & Dine (physically, I'm good, but who ever wants to go back to real life after spending a weekend at Disney World? Not I), I asked fellow Sweat Pink sister Crystal if she'd be interested in writing about running in the cold -- while it does get cold here in north Georgia, this lady's from Ohio and lives in Connecticut, so she knows cold.

Check out Crystal at her blog and on Twitter, and leave her lots of love on her awesome post! I hope you find it as helpful as I do!

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I was asked by Megan to share with all of you my secrets for cold weather running. Growing up in Ohio and now living in Connecticut, I think I know a thing or two about this topic! I am, however, going to make this post a little more broad and focus on cold weather training, regardless of the activity (running, cycling, snow shoeing, etc.) because I think the same principals apply regardless of how you choose to stay fit.

Many of you probably aren’t familiar with me, but I love lists. I think lists make things easy to follow, so I’m going to share my strategies for cold weather training in list form.

Here goes:

1) LAYERS - This is my #1 recommendation. I think all too often we try to figure out exactly the “right” thing to wear, making guesses about the weather and our bodies. Unfortunately this leads you to either be too hot or too cold at some point during your workout. Wearing layers allows your body to naturally adjust to the weather, plus it frees you up from worrying about picking the perfect clothes for that day/temp/weather.

            -Personally I like to wear a tight base layer, which will wick away the moisture, without adding much bulk (ex: underarmour heat gear tank or short sleeve compression top).

            -Find top layers that are loose fitting and made of a material you can easily tie around your waist, stick in your jacket or jersey pocket, etc. And make sure you know your plan for what to do with an item once it is removed, BEFORE you begin.

            -Layering also applies to hands and feet. Feel free to wear multiple pairs of socks or gloves, but again make sure your tightest/form fitting material is underneath with your bulkier/warmer option on top.

-I also am a huge fan of clothing with built in thumbholes or hoodies. Both work great for any cold weather activity. Thumbholes allow you to avoid bunch up or bare skin at the wrist. You can also wear your gloves under or over, depending on your activity. Similarly hoodies keep your neck protected and easily fit under a helmet or hat. In the end, both make layering easier and more convenient.

2) Cover your head! All too often we forget that something like 80 or 90% of our body heat escapes through our heads. I see people all the time wearing things that cover their ears or face, but they completely forget about the top of their heads. You won’t feel your head getting cold, especially if you have a lot of hair, like you will your ears and other body parts, but it is essential to keep that heat in as the temperatures dip. This is less an issue of comfort and more an issue of general health for your body, in my opinion.

            -Here is a personal favorite of mine from Target. It’s cheap, thin material AND has a ponytail hole built in!

3) Windproofing. Depending on where you live, the wind can play a big factor in your outdoor training. To protect against that bitter winter wind, I suggest getting a wind stopping jacket, vest or my personal favorite, a jacket with removable arms! I recommend one that is lightweight and big enough to put layers underneath. This way you can wear it on top of any clothing you choose to wear that day. As you warm up, remove your underneath layers, keeping the wind proof material on top.

4) Dollar Gloves. I’m guessing you all know what I am referring to here. These are the cheap, stretchy gloves you can find just about anywhere. I think they are a must have for anyone, whether you live in a cold weather area or not. These cheap gloves come in every color under the sun, are easy to replace if lost and work great when you don’t want a lot of bulk (aka when you are working out and sweaty).

5) Keep your feet warm and safe from elements. This can mean a variety of things such as:

            -waterproof shoes or boots

            -shoe covers

            -water and/or windproof socks

             -toe warmers (hot hands)

 

6) Warmup and Cool Down. This is another area I think we tend to forget about, but it becomes even more critical in cold weather. If you want to remain injury free, this is one of my biggest pieces of advice for you. Yes, you can get away with skipping during warmer months, but as the cold weather approaches it will take longer and more effort to get your muscles “warm.” If they are not properly warmed up, there is greater risk of injury all around, so as Nike would say “just do it!”

7) Protect your skin. First, if it is below freezing out, make sure all exposed skin is covered. Otherwise you put yourself at risk for frostbite. No, you may not feel like it’s that cold, but do you really want to take the risk? I didn’t think so J Also, it is important to remember to still wear sunscreen (pick a sweat proof variety to make sure it stays on). You may think you do not need it in the winter when it is cold out, but the sun’s ray can still reach your skin. Particularly if you are skiing or any other activity around snow, as the snow will reflect the sun’s rays onto you, causing you to easily burn.

8) Hydrate. This is another easily forgotten step, but just as important as the others. Your body is still losing the same about of fluid as it was in the hot summer months when you are exercising. Just like when you swim in a pool of water, you may not feel the need to drink, but it is vital you do. Just remember, regardless of the temperature outside, you can still get dehydrated!

That sums up my 8 cold weather training musts. So for those of you who like to spend the winter months training outdoors, what did I miss? Feel free to leave additional suggestions in the comment section below. AND if you enjoyed this post, feel free to check out my blog at http://crystalfun2race.wordpress.com!

- Crystal

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Happy Monday!