The winter season can make running rather difficult. It’s colder outside and some places have snow, it’s simply not the most desirable temperature for running outside. However, you enjoy running and need to get at least one run in every day, so what do you do?
Well, you follow our tips below to make cold weather running more tolerable. That’s what you do.
Wear Less Clothing
First of all, you need to wear less layers. This is done for multiple reasons. The first reason is that the more clothes you wear on your body, the harder it is to run (and move around in general). This may not be true for everyone but if our muscles are being restricted by extra clothing, they have a more difficult time working and producing the energy we need to run.
Secondly, when you wear less layers on your body, there’s a lower chance of overheating while you’re running. When our bodies produce too much heat, it can lead to hyperthermia (overheating), which in turn leads to fatigue and makes running difficult or impossible. So wearing less layers will prevent that from happening.
And lastly, wearing less layers means you’ll naturally run cooler and can run longer because of it. This is an added bonus for people who struggle with running in the cold (which itself creates a challenge to begin with).
Run Indoors
Take your run indoors if you can. Running on a treadmill is the easiest way to go because even though it’s still cold outside, it’s not nearly as cold inside of a gym or fitness facility. But also running on a treadmill means that you won’t have access to the beautiful views outside that probably attracted you to running in the first place.
However, running on a treadmill can be a life saver when it gets really cold outside. A nice feature of treadmills is that the speed and elevation of the belt is adjustable, so you can turn up the heat inside and run with a lower perceived rate of exertion. This means you’ll be able to run longer and get in a better workout.
Wear Layers That Help You Run Cooler
Now, when we say wear less layers, you’re going to need some other clothes on your body. Of course, wearing shorts and a t-shirt is not an option for winter running because it would be too cold. So opt for a base layer that wicks moisture (so sweat evaporates faster) and outer layers that help you stay warm.
Wicking material is vital for running in the cold because it will keep your body dry while preventing too much heat build up. This means you’ll be cooler while running, which is something we need on cold days when Mother Nature turns up the chill.
But don’t only wear one wicking layer. Wear multiple layers so it’s less likely for sweat to build up on your skin and start cooling you down too much if you sweat a lot.
In conclusion, there are many strategies you can use to make winter running more tolerable. In fact, even if it’s not your favorite time of year for running, there are ways to make the season a little easier on yourself and your body. So stay warm and enjoy your winter running.