Wind Chill, Even Over Freezing, Can Still Render Frostbite

JANUARY 23, 2023

• Despite the air temperature being over freezing (32-degrees Fahrenheit/0-degrees Celsius), a person can still get grade 1 frostbite. This is due to the wind chill that is created from swinging your hands back and forth as you run. If the wind is already present, this effect becomes magnified.

• Your HEALTH HACK: wearing gloves as you run is the best defense, but preparing your hands for the cold helps too. Run them under hot water before a run and warm water after a run. Holding your hands over heated air can warm them up, but also sap the moisture out of your skin.

• Winter weather isn’t for the faint of heart. Not everyone is built for this stuff. I encourage mental resilience, because you’re going to need this on your longer runs anyway. If you can handle cold running, you can handle long running.