Tips for winter running
As we move into winter, the clocks go back and the days shorten. Heading out on the trail is a fantastic time to get outdoors
and experience the wide-open spaces that nature provides. The winter is a time
to build endurance in the legs and resilience of the mind. With those long runs, there’s no better place to be than out on the trail and in the wilds with
friends to enjoy mile
after mile of conversation, ending up in a café to enjoy a hot chocolate. Take care when running at night. Make sure those head torches
are charged and ready for the darker afternoons and evenings and dust off the
retro-reflective gear so you will glow in the dark. When heading out on the trails let your friends and family
know where you’re going, this can be aided by using your smartwatch, allowing
your loved ones to track you via the Strava beacon. Better still team up with a
local running group or friends.
Many of us love the solitude of a long
trail run but sometimes It can be a little lonely. The winter weather can be a
little demotivating and cause a drop in your training, so to stay
accountable, team up with some friends and fit your run around a visit to a
café and treat yourself to a well-earned hot chocolate.
Some winters never seem to end, so plan a mini
adventure and book a room in a hotel or B&B, better still, get some friends
together, book an Air B&B, and check out some new routes away from your
local area.
In the winter remember you can break your training up with cross-training or outside cycling and walking which seem to
be overlooked by many runners. Swimming is a great way to stay motivated in
the winter and can aid recovery of those aching limbs.
Ensuring you have the right insulation will help with your
motivation, no one likes to be cold. Layering is the most effective way to dress
for the winter run in Britain. When you’re heading out on a long trail run, consider
carrying a running hydration vest for your spare clothes and drinks. You can
always find a space for a hat and gloves. It doesn’t have to be too cold to
become hypothermic, maintaining warmth is a lot easier than trying to warm up
after you get cold. Be aware that you only need to stand around for 15 minutes
for your core temperature to drop, add rain and wind to the mix, and after 20
minutes you could be in serious trouble. On a long trail run in the winter, it
would be a wise idea to carry a hat, gloves, a light rain smock, and a snood to
protect you from the changing weather, as well as a few calorific snacks.
Before heading out, make sure you have a thorough warm-up, those
cold evenings can cause tightness in your muscles, try warming up at home and you
may find you don’t need as many layers of clothing as you thought. Hydration is important to maintain a healthy body and mind. Runners
seem to neglect the need to hydrate in the winter, although you feel cooler you
are still sweating and utilizing water from perspiration and respiratory water
loss. It is important to stay hydrated. You won’t need as much as you would in
the height of summer but a long run in the winter still means carrying water
with you via some sort of hydration vest or bottles.
Lace up those running shoes, get out there, find those trails with friends, and enjoy the
winter months and shorter days. Breathe in that cold air and try to find some
winter sunshine to boost vitamin D.
