Too Cold To Run? 10 Tips to Get Your Run On
There is no doubt about it, winter running can be brutal. I ran my 800 meter sprints this morning at 5:30 with a below-zero wind chill, 1 inch of snow, all while sleeting a little. During the windy backstretches I kept thinking, "There's got to be a better way." Here are some ideas to get you through the coldest of days:

- Run in a swimming pool. It's a heck of a work out and great for taking the pressure off the knees and hips.
- Run a Parking Garage. Not only do you get simulated hills, the lower levels also offer protection from wind and snow. No excuses, there is always the parking garage.
- Spin Class. I made fun of my friends for taking spin classes, but they got an hour of high-intensity workout and I called my run quits after 12 minutes of brutal wind. Who's laughing now?
- Run with a partner. Nothing makes time go by quicker than running with a friend.
- Run with music. Friends aren't as crazy as you? Plan out a grouping of your favorite songs and sing your way through the cold.
- Save your tempo run for the coldest days. Rather than going long, use the coldest days to push it a little. Running faster will keep your body warmer you won't be out in the elements quite so long.
- Work the core. If it's just too cold to go out, take the opportunity to work your abdomen. Most runners neglect core exercises, but they're vital.
- Get more traction: I can't tell you how many times my YakTrax have kept me from busting butt.
- Give yourself a treat. Give yourself something special to eat after a good run. A few cookies with milk makes the semi-frostbite all worth it.
- Stay close to home. Rather than an out-and-back, find a good loop. There's no sense in risking being far away from home if the weather takes you over.