We found a web site called Another Mother Runner that collected a list of tips and preventative measures from fellow runners with Raynaud’s.
The tips are organized by the stage of the run: Pre-run, During, and Post-workout. You may find some of the suggestion to be obvious, but we wanted to pass them all along:
Pre-run Tips
- Avoid caffeine – it constricts the blood vessels.
- Start with a blast of heat to warm the extremities – run them under warm water, place them near a heater (we don’t recommend using the stove as the article suggests!)
- Apply a lubricating barrier – the author recommends a heavy cream with beeswax. We suggest using a product called Warm Skin – it’s proven to provide a protective barrier from the cold.
During the Run
- Use gloves and mittens – whichever you need based on the temperatures. Carry both for different phases of the run.
- Use hand warmers (chemical heat packs) – our members receive discounts on Grabber and HotHands warmers. Note: You’re not supposed to place the warmers directly next to your skin, so add a liner layer if using these toasty packs.
- Wear arm warmers and/or compression socks – compression socks help promote circulation; arm warmers add an extra layer. Check out the arm warmers from Limbkeepers available in several styles and colors with our 25% discount!
- Keep the rest of the body warm – add a layer to the core and a hat. They’ll help keep the whole body warmer.
- Stay relaxed – stress can trigger attacks, so keep it loose. Some runners find it helps to shake out their hands to relieve stress and get the juices going.
Post-workout
- Shed the wet workout wear – Even if you don’t have time or access to a warm shower, peel off the sweaty clothes and don a warm fleece top or whatever works to keep you warm.
- Have a warm drink – It not only helps to warm you on the inside, your hands will enjoy the warmth from the heated cup of decaf, tea or hot chocolate!
- If needed, do the windmill exercise – make some big arm circles to get the blood flowing back into the fingers if they start changing color or go numb.
- Treat yourself – nothing like a nice massage to get the circulation going again!
Here’s the full article: Tell Me Tuesday: A Dozen Ways to Help with Raynaud’s while Running. Also, see our previous blog post Raynaud’s Coping Tips for Runners from earlier this year.
I’ve been a runner for many years and live in the northern Rockies where it can get a bit cold. At 68, my Raynaud’s has gotten worse and mainly affects my fingers. I use mittens with charcoal packs and that helps. My problem is keeping my hands warm when I carry a water bottle, which I always do. My bottles are in a typical hand harness, which is difficult to use with mittens/charcoal packs. Plus, it tends to keep my hands out there and limit my ability to move my fingers. Do you know whether there’s a water bottle carrier that straps to the wrist? I want to avoid the belt carriers and Camelbacks. Thanks.
A good question! We’re not aware of a specific product that meets your specs, but did find one that is hand-held that straps to the wrist and – from the video – it appears you can release the hands when needed and the bottle will still be held on. Also appears you could use a mitten with this design. I found it here where’s there’s more info on the product: https://www.nathansports.com/exoshot-handheld-flask. But it’s out of stock on this site. You can buy it now on Amazon here: https://smile.amazon.com/Nathan-ExoShot-Handheld-Flask-Black/dp/B01BTAWL0Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510505565&sr=8-1&keywords=Exoshot+Handheld+Flask&dpID=41dKpNnOkYL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
Hope that helps!