Wintertime Running Tips
If you’re a regular outdoor runner, the wintertime may have you feeling blue. With ice, snow, wind, and rain, it can feel like the elements all conspire to make running outside difficult (if not impossible). Fitness expert and guest author Danielle Harrison has 5 tips to make wintertime running easier.
When winter sneaks up on you, it can really hinder your running.
The cold temperatures, the ice, the freezing wind, and the shorter daylight hours can change the dynamic of your running substantially.
Here are 5 tips to help you beat the winter running blues:
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If you encounter Icy conditions, go to your neighborhood running store where they can teach you how to put spikes in the bottom of your shoes. This will help prevent slipping and sliding.
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You need to make sure to wear warm layers and cover your face. Icy cold temperatures below the freezing point of 320 F can feel like sharp knives cutting you as you run, which can slow down progress. So bundle up.
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Slow down! When it’s early in the morning or late in the afternoon you need to slow down and watch your step to avoid icy spots and other dangers. This is the time to find a few running buddies and run in a group. The more of you the better.
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Wear fluorescent colors when running. The sun sets in the early afternoon and rises late. If you are running at any of these times, be mindful of the traffic around you. Just because you can see a bike or a car doesn’t mean the drivers can see you.
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If the weather conditions are really prohibiting you from running outdoor, take a few weeks off. Even competitive runners have their off season. Try swimming, cycling, or add some more weight training to your exercise regimen. The break from running and the impact it has on your body might be just what you need to break your 5k, 10k, or half-marathon time!
Danielle Harrison is a certified trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She is also certified in TRX, group fitness, and other exercise forms. She is a personal trainer and fitness curator at Ink48, a Kimpton Hotel in New York City.
Running in winter image courtesy of Shutterstock.