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By Gabriel Moore, Wilmington College Class of 2026. Author. Dedicated Runner. Quaker For Life. Well, folks, we’re in the second half of November now. As anyone reading this has certainly noticed by now, the weather isn’t getting any warmer. It’s been particularly slow this year (that’s Ohio for you), but, inevitably, we’ve continued edging slowly toward winter. Hopefully you, like me, are doing everything you can to enjoy the last warm breaths of summer and autumn before we plunge into the depths of winter. Winter, of course, is a much different time here in Ohio. There’s snow, ice, rocksalt, frigid wind, and the ever-present risk of subzero temperatures. Mother nature, to say the least, is rather inhospitable during this time of year. This, combined with the rapid encroachment of darkness and quick end that are put to many of our afternoons, can make it very, very difficult just to go outside-let alone to go outside and hit the trails for some exercise. Who wants to go for a walk when it’s ten degrees outside? As a collegiate cross-country runner, I’m in the throes of training all-year round, and cold weather has never been a qualifying excuse for not running outside in the eyes of my head coach. So, when winter comes along, me and my team have no choice but to bundle up and try to out-tough the cold. I am personally of the belief that if a group of college kids can handle the cold, anyone else can too. Even if you’re not tougher than Mother Nature, there are a few things anyone can do to mitigate the cold and get those steps in this winter:  Make Sure to Bring GlovesIt may seem simple, but sometimes bringing gloves along for your walk, run, bike ride, etc, can make a big difference. Your hands and feet, as the furthest parts of your body from your heart, are subject to getting cold faster than anywhere else. If your hands are freezing, you aren’t going to be having a lot of fun outside-additionally, if it’s cold enough, you’re risking frostbite and possible major damage to your hands. Be sure to have a pair of gloves on the ready at all times-whether you keep them in your car, your jacket, or anywhere else. You never know what can happen when you’re at the mercy of the cold. And hey, the more the merrier-if one pair of gloves doesn’t get the job done, strap on another pair!  Have A Winter Hat AvailableAs mentioned above, the first parts of the body to get cold are those furthest from the heart. That includes not only the fingers and toes, but also the ears, which quickly get cold when you’re exposed to the elements. While having a hood up is better than nothing, it’s no substitute for a proper winter hat, which settles over the ears and keeps them warm when you’re out in the cold. Not only that, but a hat protects your hair from getting snow or ice in it-because, if you’re not Jack Frost, the icy hairstyle is hard to pull off. Just like with a pair of gloves, you should always make sure to have a winter hat nearby, just in case. If you’re freezing your ears off, you’re much less likely to want to keep yourself out on the trails, so be sure you have your hat on standby! Remember - There’s a Thin Line Between Tough and Crazy!For those of you who are willing to endure the cold for the sake of getting some exercise, be sure you’re being smart about how long you’re out in the weather. It’s great to be tough, but it’s better to be smart-staying out in the cold for too long can cause serious risks to health, including frostbite and hypothermia. If it’s seriously cold, be sure you’re not staying outside for too long at once, and make sure to keep moving to be sure you don’t lose any warmth. If you get to the point of being too cold to continue, shut it down and try again another day. There’s always tomorrow, so don’t be tougher than you are smart.  What are you waiting for?There you have it-three all-pro tips to stay active in the cold. So this winter, when the snow comes down and the wind is howling, strap on your winter gear and get out there. You’ve got to find some way to burn off that Thanksgiving meal, right? Stay safe, Clinton County! Sources:
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