We’ve just survived a once-in-a-generation freeze, so my advice may be a little late. But since it’s only December, we have plenty of cold weather running to look forward to in the coming months.

How cold is too cold? That’s a question I’m often asked by those who know I run. After all my decades of winters, I still haven’t come up with a solid answer.

I once ran a 10k in Penn Township when a sudden snowstorm blew through as we waited for the race start at Butler Airport. I wisely kept my warm-up clothes on to fight a howling wind and almost zero visibility in blinding snow.

From that race, I learned that one key to surviving winter running is to block the wind. An outer layer of windproof jacket, mittens and in brutal cold, wind pants, act as a magic shield against that howling maelstrom. Look for a jacket that not only blocks the wind but allows excess heat to escape.

Dress in layers. That helps whether you’re running, hiking or jogging your dog Buddy through the park in January. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer because even in the coldest temperatures, your body produces heat and sweat. Add insulating middle layers as needed under your final wind block, but avoid cotton since it retains moisture.

Contrary to urban myth, you can’t freeze your lungs by running in severe cold. But cold winter is dry and inhaling deeply can dry the throat and bronchial tubes and leave you coughing. To pre-warm your breath, wear a scarf or buff loosely over your mouth. And stick to an easy running pace so you don’t have to gulp air so deeply.

If you’re not used to running in the extreme cold or suffer from asthma, ease into it. Cold can induce an asthma attack in susceptible individuals.

I learned to play in the cold long before running was a popular thing. Mom dressed my sister and I like Randy in “A Christmas Story” and sent us out to build snow forts and zoom down the front yard on our aluminum flying saucers. We could barely move in boots over double socks and mittens as big as oven mitts and could hardly see with scarves wrapped over our noses.

You don’t have to dress like a classic movie character to run in the cold, but in blustery weather, it helps to double-insulate appendages like noses, fingers, toes, and private parts. My mom also smeared a coating of Vaseline on our cheeks and forehead as a barrier against the wind and wet snow.

When I was a kid, every snow day was like Christmas, and I never wanted it to end. We’d stay outside until our toes and fingers were numb, then endure the pain of thawing frozen parts in warm water.

When running outside, even if you’ve prepared, recognize the dangers of the cold. You can experience frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. You may be in serious trouble if you’re five miles and 50 minutes from home.

Instead of an out-and-back that leaves you far away from warmth, run several short loops. You can swing by the house, warm up and swap out any damp clothing, then continue your run.

Also, recognize the signs of hypothermia. If you experience shivering, drowsiness, slow pulse or slurred speech, seek warmth immediately. Don’t try to tough it out or you may end up in the ER — or worse!

Even on the coldest days, it is possible to overdress and over-sweat. A good rule of thumb is to dress as if it’s 20 degrees warmer. You can also use your hat as a heat regulator — on when you’re cold, off when you begin to sweat.

If you just can’t face that chill of the first few minutes of running before you’re warmed up, toss your running clothes in the dryer for a few minutes and they’ll be cozy when you step out the door. And do your pre-run stretches indoors so you’ll be ready when your feet first hit the road.

In extreme weather, it’s extremely important to plan. Check the weather report for predictions of sudden snow squalls or ice storms moving in. And as always, if you run alone, be sure to notify someone of your plans before you go.

Better yet, invite someone to join you for a few frosty miles. There’s safety in numbers and as they say, “Misery loves company.”

Upcoming Events

Saturday, 10 a.m.: North Park Resolution Run 5k, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/WolfCreekResolutionRun

Saturday, 3:30 p.m.: Harmony Silvester 5k, Harmony. Also 1-Mile Fun Run. Part of New Year’s Eve celebration. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harmony/HarmonySilvester5K

Saturday, 4 p.m.: Twilight 5k Run, 2 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Hollidaysburg. Run or walk through the holiday lights at Lakemont Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Altoona/TwilightRace

Sunday, 10 a.m.: Set Your Year on Fire 5k Run, Walk and Ruck, Ligonier. Also virtual options. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Ligonier/SetYourYearOnFire5k2023

Sunday, 10 a.m.: Erie Runners Club New Year’s Day 5 Mile Race, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park’s Rotary Pavilion. Run on park roads. Dan.a@erierunners.club or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/ERCNewYearsDay5Milerace

Sunday, 11 a.m.: New Year’s Resolution Run 5k and 1 Mile Family Fun Walk, Oakdale. Run or walk on Panhandle Rail Trail. First 150 registered receive a commemorative beanie. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oakdale/NewYearsResolutionRun5Kand1MileFamilyFunWalk?rsus=100-200-a3b7d913-64dc-44a8-aa76-173bb76ce1c2

Jan. 7, 10 a.m.: Resolution Run 5k, Hermitage. Run on paved path surrounding LindenPointe Business Park. wolfcreektrackclub.com/event/resolution-run-5k-lindenpointe/

Jan. 8, 9 a.m.: Frigid 5 Miler, Hampton Township. Starts at North Park Lodge. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/Frigid5Miler

Jan. 14, 9 a.m.: North Park Half Marathon, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse, Two loops around the lake. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/AllisonPark/NorthParkHalfMarathon

Jan. 14, 1 p.m.: Run 2 Read Half Marathon, Fairmont, WV. Starts at Prickett’s Fort State Park, runs on 2 rail trails. runtoread@hotmail.com or runsignup.com/Race/WV/Fairmont/RuntoReadHalfMarathon

Jan. 28, 10 a.m.: Groundhog Day 4 Mile, Punxsutawney, Run to Gobbler’s Knob and back. Collector coins to all finishers. 814-938-6362 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Punxsutawney/GroundhogJog4MileRunWalk

Feb. 4, 9 a.m.: Groundhog Day 5k, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/GroundhogDay5kPGH

Feb. 4, 9 a.m.: Groundhog Day 5k, Painesville, OH. Run at Lake County Fairgrounds. www.gcxcrunningseries.com/groundhogday5k

Feb. 12, 10 a.m.: Valentine Prediction Race, Erie. Time prediction run of between 4 and 6 miles with chocolate awards. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/ERCValentinePredictionRun2

Feb. 25, 10 p.m.: The Spring Thaw 5, 10, 15 or 20 Miles, Allison Park. Run loops around North Park Lake. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/TheSpringThaw

Feb.25, 7:30 a.m.: Olde Girdled Grit Trail Run Marathon, Concord Township, Ohio. Scenic run through 2 parks. Half marathon starts at 9 A.M. www.gcxcrunningseries.com/oldegirdledgrit

Race Results

Great Pumpkin 5k, October 30: Dean Banko, 1st Overall M, 17:41; Andrew Franze, 3rd Overall M, 19:43; Amy O’Donnell, 1st Overall W, 20:31; Avery Corliss, 2nd Overall W, 22:28; Ella Butterfield, 3rd Overall W, 23:32; Thomas Pichieri, 1st 15-19 M, 20:11; Henry Buchanan, 2nd 11-14 M, 20:50; Braden Corliss, 1st 20-29 M, 20:57; Andrew Deem, 3rd 11-14 M, 21:06; Sam Buchanan, 2nd 15-19 M, 22:16; Michael Fitzgerald, 2nd 40-49 M, 22:28; Anthony Hochuli, 1st 30-39 M, 23:17; Isabel Giancola, 1st 15-19 W, 23:57; Lucas Porter, 2nd 10 & Under M, 24:00;

Jerry Porter, 3rd 10 & Under M, 24:02; Alice Anderson, 1st 10 & Under W, 24:20; Kelsey Burris, 1st 20-29 W, 24:52; Janel Edwards, 2nd 30-39 W, 25:32; Jesse Burris, 2nd 30-39 M, 25:42; Nathan Giuliani, 2nd 20-29 M, 26:21; Mitch Radella, 2nd 50-59 M, 26:42; Chloe Boosel, 2nd 10 & Under W, 27:21; Lex McDowell, 3rd 20-29 W, 27:33; Tia Singleton, 3rd 30-39 W, 27:40; Ava Sparacino, 1st 11-14 W, 29:17; Vicki Brendlinger, 1st 60-69 W, 29:38; Rhonda Maloney, 1st 50-59 W, 31:00; Olivia Clauss, 2nd 11-14 W, 31:04; Katerina Deem, 1st 40-49 W, 32:31; Michael Holden, 3rd 30-39 M, 32:32; Pam Chickness, 2nd 60-69 W, 33:55; Joella Baker, 2nd 50-59 W, 37:13; Rylin Porter, 3rd 10 & Under W, 38:58; Elizabeth Salgado, 2nd 15-19 W, 39:37; Miranda Sparacino, 3rd 40-49 W, 39:30; Mary Ann Thompson, 1st 70+ W, 47:09; Luke Lariviere, 24:05; Michael Deem, 25:53; David Singleton, 26:26; Alivia Cocchi, 28:48; Kathleen Denier, 29:35; Derek Hicks, 29:50; Kayla Hochuli, 29:54; Sabrinia McAuley, 30:09; Shawna Hardy-Emerson, 31:02; Elise Caldwell, 31:36; Noelle Holden, 32:32; Dylan Sparacino, 32:33; Andrew Moulton, 33:09; Mathieu Sloka, 33:30; Scott Sloka, 33:41; Alise Franze, 34:41; Emily Giancola, 35:31; Sara Porter, 39:00; Rosie Anderson, 40:54; Katherine Anderson, 40:55; Sofia Salgado, 41:09; Tom Thompson, 47:09; Roderic Porter, 50:44

Great Pumpkin 1 Mile, October 30: Dean Banko, 1st Overall M, 5:26; Quentin Kelly, 3rd Overall M, 6:34; Amy O’Donnell, 1st Overall W, 6:39; Sara Palmer, 2nd Overall W, 7:24; Mitch Radella, 1st 50-59 M, 7:20; Casey Reiland, 1st 30-39 M, 7:41; Owen Fitzgerald, 1st 7-10 M, 7:42; Asher Buchanon, 1st 11-14 W, 8:19; Jack Boosel, 1st 1-6 M, 8:24; Levi Buchanon, 2nd 7-10 M, 8:28;13; Colin Ray, 2nd 1-6 M, 8:28;74; Henry Buchanon, 2nd 11-14 M, 8:29; Zoe Faller, 1st 11-14 W, 9:13; Kendall Schellhammer, 1st 7-10 W, 9:26:25; Jeff Schellhammer, 2nd 30-39 M, 9:26:45; Bridget Boosel, 3rd 7-10 W, 9:33; Mike Faller, 1st 40-49 M, 9:48; Kendal Fitzgerald, 2nd 11-14 W, 9:51; Katie Boosel, 1st 40-49 W, 9:53; Nicole Sloka, 2nd 40-49 W, 10:23; Tom Pichieri, 2nd 50-59 M, 10:44; Michael Anderson, 3rd 30-39 M, 10:50; Lauren Ray, 1st 30-39 W, 10:50; Christine Fitzgerald, 3rd 40-49 W, 11:43; Janel Edwards, 2nd 30-39 W, 11:54; Jessica Jarusinski, 3rd 30-39 W, 12:42; Aleksandra Jarusinski, 1st 1-6 W, 12:48; Isabella Lanzino, 2nd 1-6 W, 12:57; Adalena Jarusinski, 3rd 1-6 W, 13:01; Matthew Sparacino, 2nd 40-49 W, 14:42; Madison Claus, 3rd 11-14 W, 15:57; Joel Grobe, 3rd 40-49 M, 18:13; Edward Sherman, 1st 70+ M, 27:40; Linda Sherman, 2nd 60+ W, 27:41; David Sloka, 9:58; Jack Anderson, 10:49; Liam Ray, 11:12; Emerson Speicher, 11:31; Maddie Harmanos, 11:41; Jacob Grobe, 11:47; Michael Behun, 11:48; Amy Behun, 11:52; Grayson Edwards, 11:54; Eddie Laraviere, 13:38; Steffanie Laraviere, 13:39; Herbie Brittner, 13:47; Nicole Brittner, 13:47; Herb Brittner, 14:22; Elena Sparacino, 14:42; Cayden Fyda, 15:13; Melissa Turner, 15:14; Emily Harmanos, 15:57; Matthew Edwards, 18:13; Sam Lanzino, 20:59; Anthony Jarusinski, 21:05; Laura Kidder, 28:21

Rock Hall Half Marathon, October 30: Ryan McCartney, 1st Overall M, 1:24:27; Michelle Delaney, 1st Overall W, 1:28:13; Timothy James, 1:50:58; John Scungio, 1:58:3

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net.

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle