Howdy Northeast neighbor! I'm in CT, and a little bit back I posted the following on the Princess thread in response to someone else asking about running as the temps drop:
And as for the weather...there's really no such thing as bad weather, just improper dressing. I actually prefer cold weather running...my favorite days are ahead! Layering is key, with wicking fabrics, especially for your base layer. I'll go out in the 20's and even high teens and quite honestly I've never come back from a run and said that I was too cold. I just heat up like a sweat ball...the biggest thing is to control chilling afterward or have an extra layer and/or a plan for shelter or a ride if you have to stop. Gloves and ear protection are the big things for me. I have Raynaud's Phenomon which affects the blood flow in my hands, so while I feel like my hands are not cold I have to keep them covered and toasty anyway. Good running gloves are nice (and most have a little terry cloth thumb section for runny noses...eww! but so nice and useful! - I have a few pair so I was them with the rest of my stuff after every run), but even dollar store gloves are good - or even socks! Some of my hard core runner friends still just use an extra pair of socks or lightweight cotton work gloves. Experiment with hats and headbands - for me I wear a hat only in the coldest of temps, otherwise I overheat. A nice long pair of tights and multiple layers on top and you're good to go. I do have some gripper spikes that go over my shoes that I used a couple of years ago training for the Princess, it was a wicked snowy winter and I loathe the treadmill. Last year I didn't pull them out at all during the winter since it was way less snowy and icy. We'll see what this winter has in store!
I almost forgot the most important part of outdoor winter running - visibility! Days are shorter, so if you go out at dawn or dusk, please please please at the very least go and buy a $5 safety reflective vest at Home Depot or Lowes. And be sure to run against traffic so you can be seen and you can see and react if need be. Also know that red reads as black in low light, so that red hooded sweatshirt doesn't help oncoming motorists see you any better than a navy or black one would. And if you run mid day and it is snowy out, don't wear white, light gray, light blue, silver, etc. Bright contrasting colors that stand out from the icky snowbanks and light blue sky are best. Remember that there are no leaves on the trees to shade the sun, so motorists can be blinded easily.
