There may be a lot of new runners out there trying to figure out how to get ready for winter - I've run year round outside for more than 10 years now and here's my advice:

1. Figure out the part of you that when it feels cold, the rest of you feels cold too. For me, it's my neck. It's probably an extremity like ankles or hands or ears. Your core and large muscle groups will take care of themselves.

2. Layer so you can adjust if you're too hot. Zip jackets or tops or vests. Get good quality items for the things directly next to your skin. Sweat-wicking is extra important in winter because sweat turns cotton/clothing cold and damp, which is bad news.

3. Fleece lined tights are awesome and totally worth it. On the coldest days or for long runs, I wear booty shorts under my tights to keep my ass warm. For planning layers, my tip is more fat/tissue = more likely to get cold

4. Lights are REQUIRED for running at dark/dusk. 2 kinds - headlamp so you can see where you're going, reflective vest or light up vest so cars can see you. This light up vest (and dog vest) is worth every penny: https://www.noxgear.com/tracer360?gclid=CjwKCAjwz6_8BRBkEiwA3p02VZekjAqfe5uVSN2wiPBbnBvzfHA8XnmY7bo-Lun31Ecp3w59OgnCgBoCr84QAvD_BwE. at the very minimum, get a reflective vest

5. DO NOT jump in the shower immediately after running in the cold. It will feel like tiny knives all over your cold skin. Every commercial that says you should do it has never done it themselves.

7. Running YakTrax will prevent you from slipping on ice. Unless you want to shuffle along slow af across the ice all winter, get yaktrax and run a mostly regular pace/gait. Won't 100% keep you from falling, but almost. No need for special shoes. https://yaktrax.implus.com/products/traction/yaktrax-run-ice-shoes

8. Mittens will keep your fingers warmer than gloves. I have gloves with a mitten flap so I can adjust based on how warm my hands feel. On coldest days, I wear another cheap mitten over them. Overly insulated gloves/mittens will just make your hands sweat.

9. As it gets to spring and the ice starts melting, run on the north side of the street. More sun = quicker melting = fewer ice patches. If you don't walk around your neighborhood already, you'll find out who shovels their sidewalk right away

I think that's it. Running in the winter is both annoying and great, so have fun. Stay hydrated!