Footing, Short Days, and Icy Roads

The lack of light, not the potential freezing of your lungs, is the biggest threat to your well-being when you run in the winter. Watch your footing. Try to run on level surfaces that you’re familiar with and choose the most well-lit routes. Be extra careful after snow or ice storms. Snow on the ground can often help your night vision, because it reflects what light there is. But under that snow may be patches of ice. Also, watch traffic even more than you usually do. Don’t assume that cars can see you or that, if they do, they can get out of the way quickly. Just as snow and ice can make you slip around during your runs, they also can cause cars to careen out of control. Fortunately, most good winter running apparel made these days has reflective features. If yours doesn’t, you can buy reflective strips and a reflective vest at most running stores. Almost all good running shoes have reflective elements built into their design. These elements are a must if you want to run safely in the dark.