Winter

Rusinque

Barefooters
Jan 19, 2012
187
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houston, texas
I live in the Southern Hemisphere, which means winter is coming.
Since you guys just finished winter, I would like to know if you guys could share some tips on winter barefoot running.
Is it dangerous to just go out there and run in the cold? (-5 to 8C*)
 
That is a very doable temperature range. My suggestion is that you need to work up your tolerance gradually. Don't be afraid to do the last or first km barefoot, and use footwear for the rest of the run. You will find the road/sidewalk surface warmer, if you can run while the sun is shining. Everyone has a difference tolerance to the cold/heat. Experiment and let us know how you do.

Here is a link to the Winter Challenge we have in the northern hemisphere ... http://www.thebarefootrunners.org/threads/how-was-your-barefoot-running-this-winter.6445/
 
Yes! You can acclimate, and must be patient with your feet in the process. You will be uncomfortable some of the time, and will find occasions wherein you'll be saying "Hey! This isn't bad!" Just give it time, build experience, and learn as you go what works for you. Suerte!
 
I found that bundling up more than normal and wearing ankle sweat bands allows me to run at lower temps.
 
I hope they don't salt the roads there. Salt is hard on the feet, and it tends to super cool the melting slush.
Warm sunny roads are great even at below freezing temps. Like YOW said, it's good to do part of the run shod. I prefer to warm up shod for 3 or 4 miles then do 1 or 2 BF. I have run in just socks with varying sucess.
 
Yah, just want to second what the others have said:

1) build down to it over the fall;
2) find out what your tolerance is under ideal conditions (dry, smooth, unsalted asphalt with no wind) and then adjust from there;
3) avoid salt;
4) bring some shoes that are easy to slip on as back-up, or to use for part of the run, like the first mile or two, when you're warming up, or anytime you get numb (I like the Moc3s for this purpose);
5) avoid salt;
6) there is no rule number six;
7) if possible, run in the middle of the afternoon when it's warmest.
8) put on shoes at the first sign of trouble--frost bite can mess you up for life.

I found my low was around 20F, or minus 6-7 C, which I think is pretty normal for someone with decent cold tolerance. If you can do that, and run during the warmest part of the day, then you should be able to run at least half the winter barefoot--more than enough to maintain your pads.
 
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Read through as many of the old posts as possible. Bare Lee has a good list, especially #8. My two frost damaged toes are still sensitive. Start working into the cold temps now and find out where your limits are. I know many people here dislike socks, but I would use socks to warm up in and as a back up unless it is wet, then bring shoes along.
 
I don't know anything about how cold your winters are or if you get snow or just rain or what, but here in Oregon where it mostly rains all winter I found that I can run barefoot down to 35 F or so with the wet and then below that I can run in huaraches down to about 30 F. Not sure about colder than that as it really didn't get much colder than that this winter so... I say you have to just experiment and see what your personal limits are. Bring some sort of footwear with you in case it gets too cold. I forgot to mention that this winter I found I need to run in huaraches for a mile or so first until my feet get warmed up and then I was golden for the rest of the run. Good luck and listen to these cold weather people up above.