Owen McCall is a long time Chicago area barefoot runner and the leader/instructor of the Chicago Area Barefoot Running group on Meetup. He is a member here, but may not be a frequent visitor. He posted some cold weather barefoot running techniques here: http://www.meetup.com/Chicago-Area-Barefoot-Running/boards/view/viewthread?thread=10093236
KenBob reposted them here: http://therunningbarefoot.com/?p=7180
The ideas for enhanced blood flow training and keeping an overly hot core are interesting. I tried some quick tests and it seems to work. After bundling up and getting hot while sitting inside, I was able to walk around outside on our concrete patio and sidewalk for a few minutes at 27F without freezing my feet like I normally would. It was weird feeling my core temperature gradually dropping to keep my feet warm. But, it worked. After getting back inside, my feet were finally cold on the bottom, but nowhere near painful. If I were running, it would have kept my core warmer much longer than just casually strolling around my house. I tried another test inside also as I was going to sleep. I put a down comforter over an electric blanket and pulled back the corner so I could expose my feet. As I gradually turned up the control level, I could feel my core warm initially and then re-stabilize at a lower, comfortable level. I was surprised I was not overheating. My feet were keeping me comfortable the whole time dissipating the excess heat to the cooler room. Perhaps if I do this on a regular basis, I can train my feet to be dissipators instead of my head when I run outdoors as Owen suggests, well, provided the ground is above freezing anyway. I'm not sure I want to consider below freezing just yet.
Tim
KenBob reposted them here: http://therunningbarefoot.com/?p=7180
The ideas for enhanced blood flow training and keeping an overly hot core are interesting. I tried some quick tests and it seems to work. After bundling up and getting hot while sitting inside, I was able to walk around outside on our concrete patio and sidewalk for a few minutes at 27F without freezing my feet like I normally would. It was weird feeling my core temperature gradually dropping to keep my feet warm. But, it worked. After getting back inside, my feet were finally cold on the bottom, but nowhere near painful. If I were running, it would have kept my core warmer much longer than just casually strolling around my house. I tried another test inside also as I was going to sleep. I put a down comforter over an electric blanket and pulled back the corner so I could expose my feet. As I gradually turned up the control level, I could feel my core warm initially and then re-stabilize at a lower, comfortable level. I was surprised I was not overheating. My feet were keeping me comfortable the whole time dissipating the excess heat to the cooler room. Perhaps if I do this on a regular basis, I can train my feet to be dissipators instead of my head when I run outdoors as Owen suggests, well, provided the ground is above freezing anyway. I'm not sure I want to consider below freezing just yet.
Tim