Running in Cold Weather 2dec open
Winter is in the air. Although dealing with heat may present greater difficulties for the runner, winter weather comes with its own set of special problems, especially in transition months when there can be wide fluctuations in temperature over short periods of time.
When the air temperature is lower than the body temperature, the body loses heat to the environment. The body's natural metabolic heat production is generally sufficient to replace lost heat and maintain a normal core body temperature.
However, when the environmental gradient is severe enough, and the body has insufficient protection from heat loss, the core body temperature can drop-at 97 degrees it is called hypothermia. Symptoms include shivering, euphoria, confusion and behavior that resembles drunkenness.
If core temperature continues to fall, there is lethargy, muscular weakness, disorientation, hallucinations, depression or hostile behavior. If body temperature dips below 88 degrees, the situation becomes deadly-shivering may stop, and the patient may slip into a coma if emergency treatment is not given.
For distance runners, exhaustion and dehydration can further complicate hypothermia. During transition months when temperatures can change dramatically, a runner may be sweaty and unprepared with warm clothing for suddenly cold temperatures. In cooler temperatures runners may also give less attention to replacing lost fluids.
Skin that has frozen will suffer more damage if thawed and refrozen. This is important to know since there may be an effort to treat the frostbite while still out in the cold. If there is no chance of re-freezing, the skin can be warmed with warm water, wrapped, and the frostbitten individual taken for medical care
Posted by Mary Montagna
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