WASHINGTON HALF Marathons

COLD WEATHER TRAINING

2011-11-03T17:22:00.001-07:00

Cold Weather Training
Article By: Paul “Crazy Legs” Stofko RRCA Running Coach
November 3, 2011

Cold weather training requires a little extra planning and protection before you head out the door. Your body loses heat quickly in cold weather due to convection (heat loss due to motion), conduction (transfer of heat due to temperature changes), evaporation of moisture, and radiation (transfer of energy caused by the difference between skin temperature and ambient temperature). The right layers will protect you from the elements without weighing you down. Cold can take it toll on your performance and comfort. And frostbitten skin is always a risk. But if you take some simple precautions, you can maintain your mileage in anything weather winter bring your way.

The challenge in dressing for winter training is not only to keep the winter chill and wetness out, but to manage the heat and moisture your body produces as well. Even in subfreezing temperatures your body produces a lot of heat and sweat. You can produce up to two liters per hour when running. Water conducts heat away from your body 25 times faster than air – great in summer, but dangerous in cold temperatures. Staying dry under your layers is critical and can impact heart rate, as well as comfort, dryness, and warmth.

Here are some tips for dressing in layers:

First Layer

Forget cotton. It holds moisture next to your skin. Choose the new lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics that hold a very small percentage of their weight in moisture. Performance microfibers hold less than on percent of their weight in water compared to 17% wool or 8% cotton.

Second Layer

If you running in very cold weather, you may need a middle layer to trap the warmth your muscles generate. Choose a layer that produces maximum warmth with minimum bulk. Synthetic fibers have an advantage of staying drier than natural ones.

Outer Layer

Fibers have been developed that block the elements without trapping too much heat and moisture underneath. Look for waterproof fabrics that vent.

Hands and Head

Up to 40% of your body’s heat loss occurs from the head due to a large blood supply, extra surface area, and the mucus membranes of the nose and mouth. Choose thin microfiber hats and lightweight gloves liners for your hands.

Don’t forget your feet

Cotton is a bad choice for socks. Look for synthetic socks that won’t hold moisture and become packed down when damp.

Stumbled across a very cool looking FREE White Salmon Backyard Half Marathon in Washington (donations recommended) June 18, 2011

2011-06-10T19:42:00.000-07:00

White Salmon Backyard Half - June 18, 2011

Washington Half Marathons, Half Marathon Runners, Race Directors & Event Organizers

2011-06-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

Hi Washington Half Marathon Runners, Race Directors and Event Organizers. Feel free to email us Half Marathon race news and stories to post on our blog. To send news, articles or fun information, please send us which Half Marathon State Blog you'd like it posted in at CONTACT US

Also if you'd like your event or any other discounts to be added to the official Fifty States HALF Marathon Club Member Discount List that goes out to all our members across the United States, please send your event, website link and race discount code to be added for our official members to use. Our members like to choose from races on our discount list when they look at choosing a half marathon in your state. Send to CONTACT US and in return we will help promote your event.

If your Half Marathon event is missing from the Half Marathon Race Calendar found at www.halfmarathonsearch.com and would like to be added, please send the event date, name, and website link to CONTACT US

WASHINGTON HALF MARATHONS FOR APRIL 2010 AND MAY 2010

2010-03-22T21:57:00.000-07:00

Saturday, Apr. 10 Trout Lake Run Half Marathon, 10K & 5K Trout Lake, WA

Sunday, Apr. 11 Whidbey Island Marathon & Half Marathon Whidbey Island, WA

Saturday, Apr. 17 Wenatchee Marathon, Half Marathon & Relay Wenatchee, WA

Sunday, May 2 Tacoma City Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K Tacoma, WA

Sunday, May 9 Kirkland Half Marathon & 5k Run & Walk Kirkland, WA

Saturday, May 15 Windermere Marathon, Half Marathon & Relay Spokane, WA

Sunday, May 16 Capital City Marathon, Half Marathon Olympia, WA

FOR LINKS to half marathons, we are currently working to update our half marathon calendar at Fifty States HALF Marathon Club http://www.halfmarathonclub.com/

Please let us know if we are missing any half marathons for April or May 2010. Thank you!

HALF Marathon Runners and Race Directors in WASHINGTON

2009-09-03T22:16:00.000-07:00

Feel free to post favorite races, half marathon events, and anything and everything related to HALF Marathons in Washington!

For Race directory of Washington HALF Marathons, go to
http://www.halfmarathonclub.com/Upcoming_Races.html

If interested in taking on a 50 STATE CHALLENGE or a 100 HALF ANYWHERE CHALLENGE, please check out Fifty States HALF Marathon Club at www.HalfMarathonClub.com