Running outdoors in the winter is tough.
It’s dark. It’s cold. It’s probably wet. It takes 25 minutes
to put all of your gear on. Sometimes, it can be dangerous… I’m making a great argument for going outside to run
during the winter, right?
On the real side, winter running can be really intimidating
but it can also be really wonderful and really fun. Sure, there are many times
when I decide to stay inside and practice yoga instead of going for a run
sometimes, but after spending the entire winter training for a marathon,
there’s something I really appreciate and love about winter running.
So, I’m going to tell you how you can love running in the
winter too!
Run during daylight hours. Trust me, I know how tough this one is –
the hours when I’m not working
(between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m.) are swathed in complete darkness this time of year.
If you can, get out for a short run at lunch. If you can’t run on your lunch
break, make your days off running days – we’ll call them your days ON.
Invest in a pair of Yaktrax.
They basically give you no excuse not to go out running when there is snow on
the ground.
Feel awesome that you’re probably getting in a good strength workout as well as a cardio workout.
Hurdling mounds of snow is a strength workout in itself revel in that. You can
skip the gym if you’re running through snow!
Misery loves company. Ok, that is probably a little more negative
than it is meant to be. What I mean to say is, run with a buddy. This is great
for many reasons – not the least of which is company. It’s also a much safer
thing to do than run outside in the winter by yourself.
If all else fails…then get inside and find yourself a
treadmill. It won’t prepare you in the same way for a spring race like running
outside will, but it will definitely keep you in shape. In the words of Govinda
Kai “always choose action over inaction”.
It's going to snow this weekend. Get on out there! Happy Friday!
