Out In The Cold
Running in winter can be a challenge, but with the right preparation, you’ll be ready to tackle the elements
Running in winter can be a challenge, but do a little smart prep and you may never want to come home
WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS, your resolve to lace up might take a nosedive, too. But the frosty air doesn’t have to put a freeze on your running routine. ‘Winter running is the time to develop your mental toughness and up your game,’ says Susan Paul, a running coach and exercise physiologist. ‘Finishing a run in miserable weather circumstances is an incredible confidence booster and it will help get you out there next time.’
And that’s a good thing, because keeping up with your normal schedule can help you fight off the winter blues: exercising outdoors can cut anxiety levels more than sweating inside can, according to a study in the journal Mental Health and Prevention. Still, it can be hard to go for a run when the temperature is low and the wind is howling, so here are some ways to outsmart the winter weather.
Dress down
Remember, the temperature on your weather app doesn’t equate to how you’ll feel running once your body heats up. Wearing too many layers when it’s cold can cause your body to overheat when you’re only a few miles into a run. A warm pair of gloves
and a decent hat are a strong first line of defence because the further a body part is away from your heart (such as your fingers, ears and toes), the faster it gets cold. Consider the intensity of your run, too: dress warmer for an easy run and cooler for a hard workout or race.
Warm up
Running when your muscles are cold can increase your chances of suffering muscle trauma – meaning more aches and pains and a longer recovery, says running coach Jenny Hadfield. Taking a warm-to-hot shower before your run can help by making your muscles more pliable. Then, do a few exercises to release tension in your upper body and promote flexibility in your lower body, such as arm rotations, head swirls, trunk twists, knee circles, ankle rotations and leg swings. Once you get outside, run at an easy pace for 10-15 minutes as a warm-up, says Hadfield.
Outsmart the wind
When you are running long in cold conditions, you may need to invest in specialised gear to stay comfortable. On days when the wind chill is a concern, Hadfield suggests grabbing some windproof gear to block out the cold and trap your body’s warmth. Look for windproof materials such as Gore Windstopper.
Then, plan your run wisely – look for a one-way route that has the wind at your back. Your pace will be quicker and you’ll feel warmer. If that’s not possible, run the first half into the wind and the second half with the wind at your back. You’ll do the hard miles up front and you won’t feel the wind whipping against you once you’ve worked up a sweat, which can chill you even more.
Fight the postrun chills
Cold temperatures coupled with sweaty clothes can cause your body temperature to drop quickly after you stop running, making you shiver, says Hadfield. Change into dry clothing as soon as possible after your run, and drink something warm to heat yourself from the inside and replace lost fluids.
Try the Submarino: dunk 15g of a dark chocolate bar into one cup of very hot, whole milk and stir until melted. This Argentinian drink can pack a powerful one-two punch for athletes – the protein in milk helps repair muscle damage and the flavonols in cocoa may help oxygen flow.
‘WINTER RUNNING IS THE TIME TO DEVELOP YOUR MENTAL TOUGHNESS’