If you're going to be an outdoor runner in the winter in northwestern Pa., there are a few things you simply must have. Here are the things I wouldn't consider running in winter without:

1. Yak tracks. Stretch these rubber-and-metal contraptions over your running shoes when the roads are snow covered and you'll improve your traction greatly. They won't help you much on solid ice (nothing will...except maybe skis). But, they are fantastic for snowy streets/birms. They are more comfortable to wear than they look...though I prefer not to wear them if more than 1/2 of my planned course is not snowy (they can be annoying on snow-less roads).

You can probably only expect to get about one season out of your Yak Tracks because the rubber eventually wears through and the straps break (you're running on them...repeatedly...wearing the rubber thin), but...for $30, they're a good seasonal investment. I recently got a pair for $29.99 at Gander Mountain. Be sure to get the kind that are for walking/running as they have the extra lip that comes up around the front of the toe.

Word to the wise: If & when your Yak Tracks break...don't continue to run on them (like my cheap ass). Toss them and get a new pair. If you continue to run on them...the metal coils will wiggle down and ...this has happened to me twice now....will stick out, catch the lace of your other shoe and DOWN you will go. It's like all of a sudden someone tied your shoes together. Trust me...it hurts ...I have the black and blue knees to prove it.

2. Gloves AND mittens. Cold hands make for miserable running. I prefer to wear those cheap $1 "stetchy" knit gloves. I have about 12 pairs of black ones & just toss them in the wash with my other running clothes. But...they're just not warm enough for winter running. My solution. One pair of cheap knit gloves, one pair of big old thick mittens. The reason for wearing both is that I can easily take the big mitten off and still have a gloved hand to adjust my ipod, fix a shoelace, etc.

3. Fleece pullovers. On the coldest of days the most I wear is a long sleeve t-shirt, fleece pullover and windbreaker. The fleece gives that extra layer of warmth that allows me to be toasty warm when temps fall below freezing. Target..this week...had great women's fleece pullovers on sale for $10. These are great for layering between a tight-fighting long-sleeve T & a windbreaker. They also wash and wear well...you'll get a lot of use out of them.

4. Winter tights. They're pricey, I know. But...honestly, winter running tights are the best investment you will ever make. They keep you warm and dry and they will last for years -- literally -- I have some I've been running in for about 4 years now. When you figure the cost-per-wearing, they're darn cheap.

5. Reflective windbreaker. Winter running in Erie usually means running in the dark. Unless you're fortunate enough to be able to do your miles in the brief hours of sunlight we have in winter, you need a reflective top layer. I love the Illuminite line of windbreakers. Again...a pricey investment, but...seriously..this is your life here. It's worth $100. Find all the night gear you could ever want or imagine (even things for your pooch)...at Night Gear.com.

6. Hat or headband...something to cover those ears. You'll lose a lot of heat out of your head, so keep it covered. I prefer to wear baseball caps, year-round...which could leave me with freezing cold ears, but...I wear those old-fashioned headphones with the foam earpads, so...I'm good. When I run with friends in winter (when it would be rude to wear headphones), I wear a fleece headband to cover my ears...or I break out my dorky multi-colored, striped, ball-on-the-top fleece winter hat. Hey...if you're going to look like a dork...go all the way, right? If you want something a little less dorky, the one pictured above is just $15 at Dicks Sporting Goods.

7. Flexibility. I'm not talking about flexibility of body (though, that helps, too), but flexibility of running schedule. There are days that it's just not worth it. There are days that running is sheer misery. Give yourself permission to stop and try again tomorrow. And, if tomorrow is still bad, give yourself permission to use the bad weather as a good excuse to take it easy and rest up for a few days. Run when the running is good. Keep an eye on the forecast and run when you can -- forget the rigidity of running X, Y & Z days each week...just run when you can and...as far as you can/want. It's OK to forgo the long runs in winter (unless you're training for something, of course)...there will be all kinds of time to run long and hard when spring arrives. For now, enjoy the slower pace of the season and just maintain your base fitness level. You'll actually come back stronger...and raring to go...when better weather arrives.