For a lot of us right now it is probably the coldest time of year, and this can be a special type of bummer for those of us who do not love running in the cold (and ice, and snow).
Lets be honest, heading out for a run on a warm summer evening is a totally different experience than getting up early on a dark and cold morning. It can be super tough to pry yourself out of that warm bed (or comfortable couch) and head out into the cold.
Sometimes it feels like everything is working against you too. The sidewalks and roads are icy, the days are shorter, its getting dark early, and the weather can be harsh.
Don’t despair though, you can still crush your training runs and have a good time doing it. Here are a couple tips to help you through the winter doldrums.
Dress right
No brainer. Its cold out there and you need to be prepared for it. Keep the following in mind:
- Ensure that you are wearing wicking base layers that will transport your sweat away from your skin.
- Know your cold spots. If the back of my neck gets cold, then my entire body feels cold. For some its their heads, for others its their hands. Knowing where to pile on the warm can help you dial in the temperature with out the bulk and weight.
- Be prepared to modify your run route so you can shed layers as you warm up. On a really cold day I will head out from my house for a mile and then double back to peel off a layer as I warm up. This trick helps me keep a consistent comfortable temperature the whole run.
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“Oh the weather outside is frightful, but barefoot running is so delightful…”
So yesterday while I was browsing Twitter I came across a great question (shout out to @stlhdh20) who asked if anyone had any suggestions for weatherproof barefoot style walking shoes. First, I want to acknowledge that this is an awesome question. We all tend to focus on the shoes that we wear while running however for the majority of us we spend far more time in our casual shoes that we ever will in our running shoes.
This is a definitely a question I’ve give some thought to. From your job, to hanging out with friends, to hitting the road and traveling here are some great casual barefoot shoes you can take with you.
KSO Trek – Vibram Five Fingers
Vibram Five Fingers KSO Trek
The KSO
stands for Keeps Stuff Out. The original KSO was one of Vibram’s first Five Fingers models and was designed as their trail shoe. While using early models of the Classic they noticed that sand and debris were coming into the tops of the shoes during the trail run and they developed a higher coverage shoe that would Keep Stuff Out. In the second iteration of the shoe Vibram made it even more trail worthy by increasing the thickness of the soul from 2 mm to 4 mm and swapping out the stretch polyamide fabric for kangaroo leather. The result was not only a more rugged trail running shoe, but the thicker sole served to provide more insulation between you and the cold ground, and the leather also had the effect of making the shoe look a little bit more casual and less sporty. Read More
One of the biggest questions that those new to Vibram Five Fingers ask is, ‘so I guess I can’t wear socks with those, right?’.
WRONG!
Actually there is an amazing sock alternative that you can use with your favorite pair of Vibram Five Fingers.
Injinji 
makes socks that like the VFFs have an individual pocket for each toe. This glove like approach is a perfect fit for Five Fingers. Read More
We all love to get out there and hit the road or trail. In fact for many of us running can become a hobby, a pastime, a sport…even an addiction. But how do you know if your are taking it too far? When it is time to scale back a bit and give yourself some rest? Here are a couple signs that you may be overtraining. Read More
Of all the minimalist footwear on the market today the Vibram Five Fingers (VFF) are arguably the most minimal. But are they right for you?
First, although the Five Fingers are classified as a shoe they are really more like a glove for your foot. They slip over your foot like a second skin and have an individual pocket for each toe. Their super thin construction and extreme flexibility makes them feel like you are not wearing anything at all.
Although these ‘barefoot’ shoes have legions of devoted fans, there are still some things that you should be aware of before you take the plunge. Read More
What if your new running partner licks himself? No worries if he’s a dog (if not, then yeah definately reconsider who you hang around with).
If you own a dog, or are considering one in the near future, you may be thinking about including man’s best friend in your runs. Here are a couple great reasons to do so. Read More
Going barefoot is not just a benefit on the road or trail, many athletes are finding it also an advantage in the gym. From olympic lifting to Crossfit, more and more gym goers are choosing to ditch the shoes or trade in their usual kicks for minimalist footwear. Although a growing trend, this training technique is nothing new. There are many pictures from the ‘70s of Arnold Schwarzenegger and his buddies training barefoot. Not only a more natural way to train, going barefoot or minimalist provides some very real performance advantages. Read More
What runners have known for years is now crossing over and going main stream in a wide variety of other sports. From Crossfit to sailing, and ultralight backpacking to world travel people are discovering the Vibram Five Fingers (VFF) shoe.
Athletes at all levels in a variety of sports are discovering that five finger toe shoes can be the key to improving your overall level of fitness, range of motion, balance, agility and strength. Read More
Although barefooting has gained popularity in recent years it is obviously nothing new. In fact it’s a bit interesting to consider that we must make arguments for the foot being a worthy appendage without the help of modern technology. I don’t think many people believe that their hands are insufficient without special gloves. It’s a shame that the foot has been given such a bad rap. Read More
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