Girl Takes a Tumble While Running in the Snow — Here's What Not to Do

Meet Chelsea — whose worst running nightmare just got worse — as if falling in public while running wasn't awful enough, the whole thing was filmed and shared all over the Internet. Well, at least she has a sense of humor about it and only walked away with a slightly bruised ego and a bit of a sore neck.

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While this video may have received its share of laughs, running in the Winter is no joke! If you fall on your tailbone and head like this, you could be couch-bound in recovery for the rest of the season. Running on snowy and icy Vermont roads and trails, I've definitely taken a few spills, but no more. You too can run without fear of falling to your doom by following these two rules.

Get the Gear

Ice and snow definitely make for a slippery surface, but just as you wouldn't wear your sandals in Winter, you shouldn't wear your Summer running shoes either. Investing in a pair waterproof sneakers that have metal studs or spikes on the soles like the Salomon Spikecross CS ($170) or Icebug DTS-L Bugrip Outdry ($180) are an absolute must. They offer unbeatable grip and make you feel 100 percent confident running on whatever Old Man Winter throws your way, from slushy snow to slick, wet, melting ice. Seriously — your feet will feel as stable as if running on a Summer's day. And since the outer layer is waterproof, your feet will stay dry and warm.

Slow and Careful

Winter running is not the time for breaking personal records or for speedwork. Take these runs a little less seriously, and slow down your pace so if you do start to lose your footing, you'll have more control in preventing yourself from bailing too hard. Similar to trail running, be careful and deliberate about every step you take, looking out for patches of ice, balls of ice, piles of deeper snow, and branches that may have fallen during storms. Shorten your stride to keep your center of gravity over your pelvis, and keep your shoulders and hands relaxed. Snow-covered sidewalks and trails are safer than icy pavement, so be flexible with where you run in order to have the optimum surface. And always play it safe. If it rained the night before and you woke up to a neighborhood covered in ice, it's best to skip the run and wait for better conditions.