Cold Feet

For the record, I saw my first snowflakes of the year up here in good ole VT on October 12th!  It is definitely that time of year when runners are exchanging shorts for long tights, t-shirts for long sleeves, and adding gloves, hats and headbands to their running wardrobe.  As always, I think running fashion is all about being practical, not looking good (read my old post The "Runway"). 

I hate being cold.  I turn the heat in my car up to sauna-like conditions.  I take showers so hot my entire body turns red.  I stretch on the floor directly in front of the wood stove.  I have a lifetime supply of hand warmers in my closet.  I have a condition known as Raynaud's Phenomenon, which makes my hands and feet ultra sensitive to cold.  I don't even walk around my house without warm socks and "indoor" sneakers on - I literally step out of bed in the morning and into my sneakers or my favorite UGG slippers.

Since moving to VT I have learned to appreciate the value of good/warm socks!  All my winter runs now involve warm, wicking socks.  The knee high length is perfect on top of spandex to cover the exposed ankle skin and keep the snow out.  Some of my favorite brands: SmartWool, Darn Tough, Dry Max, and Swiftwick.

As you can see, I go to great lengths to protect my little toes from the harsh VT temperatures.  So, it absolutely blows my mind when I see people running around the streets of Burlington barefoot!  Their feet must be freezing.  What are they thinking?!  Perhaps they are so distracted trying to avoid broken beer bottles, rocks and road salt that they can't focus on the numbness in their feet.  

When I picture the Tarahumara running on soft trails down in the warm temps of Mexico, it provides a very different image than people pounding along the concrete sidewalks of city streets.  I can't think of a way to make a run more miserable than exposing defenseless feet to all the elements of a New England city.  My feet hurt just watching those barefoot runners.  And, I can't help but think ... what if they need to make a bathroom pit stop?!?  Or even worse, a port-o-potty!  Ok, I can think of a more miserable experience ... getting the runs on the run while barefoot. 

Even if I didn't have terrible cold sensitivities, I would still opt for shoes to prevent injuries, protect the skin, and to maximize efficiency.  This recent NY Times article suggests that some cushioning is better than barefoot.

Stock up on those winter running socks, wear your sneakers and keep your piggies warm!