Running against the odds

Scott Schwab:
Has anyone realized how difficult it is to run when there is snow on the ground and it is cold outside? I sure have and find that the struggle is a full on battle. However, in doing a little research I found some benefits that I did not previously think about and ones that are worthy of passing on.
Bundling Up
When bundling up in the winter and taking a run, you will sweat more then running in the summer. The reason is based on your body expending energy to stay warm and working harder to keep the blood flowing. This is based on your keeping a consistent speed similar to your warm weather running. Also it all depends on getting your heart rate elevated and running for more then 30 minutes typically.
Risks:
There is, however, evidence that athletes take in more calories after cold-weather workouts, possibly because food helps warm us and because our appetites wane in warm temperatures. Another risk is having cold muscles and not properly stretching. When muscles are tight they have a higher risk of pulling or even stretching. Make sure that if you do run outside that you are taking the appropriate time to stretch before as a warm up and stretch after as a cool down.
Lung effect
Much like the lake effect, the lung effect is serious. Naturally the lungs have to work harder to take in the cold air. The shock or the burn is felt because the cold foreign air is entering the warm lungs. This helps with the burning of calories and having your body work even harder. If you have seen Rocky 4 you know the benefits to running outside if you are Rocky. Ivan Drago just ran inside and look who won. Just kidding, however, running through the cold weather can help shake those winter blues, improve your energy level, and guarantee that you'll be in better shape once bathing suit season rolls around.
Risk:
Rocky 4 was a movie not a documentary so know your limits. If the wind is strong, it penetrates your clothes and removes the insulating layer of warm air around you. Your movement also creates wind chill because it increases air movement past your body. If the temperature dips below zero or the wind chill is below minus 20, hit the treadmill instead.