MADISON (WKOW) — For many runners in southern Wisconsin, preparation begins well before lacing up.
“It’s important to check not just temperatures, but also the wind chill and plan to dress like it’s 20 degrees warmer,” said Jacky Hernandez, retail experience manager at Fleet Feet in Madison.
The balance of dressing just right and hydrating correctly is all about staying efficient, despite the things that you can’t control. Hydration is always important, but in cooler weather, nutrition becomes a bigger factor to monitor.
“In the cold, your body is going to respond by shivering. That burns more fuel than if you’re not shivering,” said Dr. Katherine Fox, a sports medicine physician at SSM Health.
Fox stressed that with your body using more fuel to keep you warm, carbohydrates needs will be higher. She recommends planning a bigger pre-race meal and more snacks throughout the race.
With the cooler weekend forecast, planning your wardrobe matters for a successful race.
“You want to have a first layer that takes the sweat away from your skin, because the sweat will make you cold,” said Dr. Fox. “Then you want to have something on top of that [like] a fleece that allows you to kind of keep some heat in.”
Luckily, Wisconsin runners have something else that keeps them training despite the chill. Hernandez noted the energy from the crowd cheering on the racers helps fuel marathon runners.
