When it comes to winter running, many runners need a little help. Here are my top 10 winter running tips. These are extremely useful for those who've decided to run in the winter for the first time as well running veterans who could use a refresher.

1. Change Your Winter Running Schedule

Only run half of your scheduled runs during bad winter weather. Log the other half of your time with cross-training. Indoor biking, weights, or exercise videos can help you maintain your strength and cardiovascular endurance until the weather lets up and you can continue running your regular routine.

2. Know What Color to Wear

Your choice of clothing color can make a big difference in how well others, like drivers, can see you. If it is dark, wear light colors and reflective gear. Wear bright colors when it's snowy. If it is dark and snowy, well, perhaps you should just find a new time to run. If you must run when it is dark and snowy, where bright colors with reflective gear. Those orange reflective vests are great for this purpose.

3. Layer for Winter Weather...

There are three important layers when it comes to cold weather running:

-A base layer of snug, wicking material (such as polypropylene, polyester, Thermax, or wool)
-A mid-layer of looser material that insulates and carries moisture from the base layer(such as down, polyester, or fleece)
-An outer layer to block wind and allow moisture to escape (such as Gore-Tex)

4. ...But Don't Bundle Up Excessively

Dress for weather that's 20 degrees warmer than it feels outside. After a minute or two of running, your body will warm up. It is just as uncomfortable to get overheated as it is to be too cold.

5. Wear Sunglasses

Snow is highly reflective, and the glare that bounces off of it can lead to snow blindness. Sunglasses fix this problem in an instant. Opt for ones with polarized lenses.

6. Bring A Friend

Make your winter training more social. Go out in groups; your local running store may organize one, or you can rally some friends. You'll not only get to talk and have someone else there to motivate you to keep running in the winter cold, but you'll have someone around to help if something goes wrong.

7. Let Others Know You're Out

Since weather in the winter can be treacherous and make for more dangerous running trails, let someone know where you will be and for how long. I also suggest bringing an ID with you every time you run. It is not a bad idea to take a cell phone along, as well, especially if you will be going very far.

8. Start Your Run Into the Wind

If you start your run into the wind, then hopefully you will be finishing your run with the wind at your back. This means it will be easier to get home, in case you are struggling due to the cold, and you can avoid being chilled by the wind hitting you after you have been sweating.

9. Stay Hydrated

This is more important than you think. You should drink plenty of water before, during, and after your run. Even if you are not sweating, you are losing a lot of water which causes dehydration. If you become dehydrated, your body has trouble regulating your temperature, your immune system is lowered, and you can even faint, among other things.

10. Dry Off Quickly

If you finish your runs at home, that's great. Change into dry clothes as soon as you get in from your run. On the other hand, if you're going to finish your run anywhere that you don't have the luxury of changing, be sure to bring a couple of pairs of dry socks (at the least) to change into until you can get back home.