How are these people still alive?

I just cannot fathom running in shorts in 20° weather that feels like 9°. Truthfully, I mostly cannot believe I go outside and run in that weather AT ALL, but I sometimes do. But in shorts?

No.

Hell no.

We all know what frostbite is, yes? In freezing temperatures, blood is busy keeping our internal organs going (so we don’t die) and bypasses other stuff, like skin, and then the skin dies. Organs > skin where blood flow is concerned.

How does this apply to running in the cold? I mean, I sweat no matter how cold it is outside. Buuuuuut, were I not dressed properly, I guarantee you I would neither sweat nor would I ever warm up.

In order for your body to reach maximum potential while running, muscles have to be warmed up. When you’re properly clothed, the body doesn’t have to waste precious energy keeping your skin warm so it doesn’t die and fall off.

Blood (ie. energy) goes to the muscles that are firing while running instead of skin. When you are half-naked in the cold, your body wastes energy trying to keep you warm instead of fueling your quads and hammys for an awesome run.

Which way do you think you can get a better workout: properly protected from the elements or half-frozen and with nearly frostbitten skin? I promise you those paper thin running pants aren’t going to cause you to overheat and die. I promise. You might even find yourself *gasp* running faster when dressed warmer.

🙂

Ok, I’m off my soapbox now. And if I see you in the park in shorts and a tank top in less than 40° weather, I promise I will try not to lecture you about your state of undress. I don’t know your world. It might be a cold world and you’re from Antarctica (or Minnesota) so this ain’t nuthin.

Dress warm!

Now go out and run.