Running on wet, snowy, or icy roads makes us vulnerable to slips and falls. But if you work on improving your proprioception-the ability to sense the position and movement of the body-you'll improve your balance and reduce your risk of taking a spill while running outside. Do these easy exercises once or twice a week after an easy run.

Hold steady: Stand on one foot. When that becomes easy, close your eyes and hold for 20 seconds. Do four repetitions on each leg.

CA Notice at Collection: Standing on one foot, hop side to side and then forward and back, regaining full balance each time you land. Do this for 20 seconds on each leg. Once you can do four reps with good stability, move on.

Play by the numbers: Place five pieces of tape, numbered one to five, on the floor within hopping distance of each other. Hop on one leg from one piece of tape to another in any sequence. Then have a friend call out the numbers you should hop to so you can learn to move quickly in unexpected directions. Practice on each foot for a minute. Take a 30-second break, then repeat.

Nikki Kimball, a physical therapist in Bozeman, Montana, was named USATF's Ultrarunner of the Year three times.