Cold temperatures and dry skin can set you up for winter chafing. I was halfway through a half marathon yesterday when I realized that I was going to have a problem with my thighs. I always moisturize my calves and lubricate my underarms for winter walking because they chafe. But this was a cold, dry day and I knew by the end I was going to be chafed in new places.

To prevent chafing, I have found a simple skin moisturizer works in many situations. But if you are repeatedly chafing, then a lubricant is needed. For example, SportShield silicone that comes in a roll-on or towelettes. I was feeling pretty foolish that I hadn't tossed a towlette pack into my backpack. Petroleum jelly works, but it is hard to wash out of clothing. That's why I prefer SportShield.
Products to Prevent Chafing
Photo © Wendy Bumgardner

Our loved ones sometimes get a little off-base in giving us gifts that supposedly relate to walking. I've started a list of bad gift ideas for walkers based on my years of walking expertise. But you have probably gotten a few yourself. What's the worst walking gift you have received? Or do you have items you always put on your personal Do Not Buy list to keep your loved ones from giving them? My list includes anything scented -- I have allergies and anything I have around needs to be unscented. Otherwise, it goes into the regifting pile.

Just when the days are getting really short and the temperature is dropping like a rock, and the last thing you want to do is to go out in it...neighborhoods transform into lighted fairylands. Boring malls become winter wonderlands. Downtown streets twinkle with lights, bows and greenery.

You can stay inside and watch Christmas specials or QVC from the treadmill to get into the holiday mood. But even better is to join in a holiday charity walk like the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis. Or find a local holiday lights night walk such as the hundreds of free walks hosted around the country by volkssport walking clubs.

Round up your friends and relatives, put on reindeer horns or Rudolph noses, and get out and enjoy the beauty and fun of a holiday walk. You can use my Walk Finder to locate walks of various kinds by state.
Photo © Wendy Bumgardner

A study of endurance athletes found anti-aging effects at the cellular level. Middle-aged runners had a cellular metabolism that should have an anti-aging effect on their cell nuclei and chromosomes. The study concluded, "Physical activity regulates telomere-stabilizing proteins in mice and in humans and thereby protects from stress-induced vascular apoptosis."

What might this mean to you? The long-term endurance athletes they studied seem to be getting anti-aging benefits. It's just one more reason to set a goal of completing half marathons or marathons. Not only will you take home a medal, your body may be aging more slowly thanks to the long days of training.
Understanding Cellular Aging
Marathon Training for Walkers

^{Source:
Werner C, et al "Physical exercise prevents cellular senscence in circulating leukocytes and in vessel walls" Circulation 2009; DOI: 10.1161/ CIRCULATIONAHA.109.861005.}