I love winter running.
When I first started running in the summer of 2017, I was unsure about how running in the winter was going to go. While I happily live in Canada, I am not a fan of the cold and snow. Which is kind of too bad considering it is winter half of the time here. But after 2 months of running indoors on a treadmill, the pure boredom forced me to give winter running a real shot.
And kind of surprisingly, I fell in love! I’ll be honest, my first winter run was pretty hairy but that’s because I wasn’t prepared properly. But since then, whenever the sun is shining and the roads are relatively dry, I head out on the road.
You’re only cold if you’re standing still!
Cold weather doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying winter running! In fact, I would argue that running outside in the winter has a lot to offer. Here are my top 5 reasons why I love winter running:
- Burn more calories! Running burns lots of calories in the first place, but running in the cold burns extra calories as your body works to maintain its core temperature. So basically, you’re getting much more out of your sweat session. This varies from person to person of course, but overall it’s a good morale booster, am I right?
- Vitamin D. Vitamin D is important all year round, of course, but if you live in an area of the world that sees less sun in the winter months, then vitamin D is extra important. Going out for a winter run helps you take advantage of the sunlight during short winter days. Don’t forget! Sunblock is important even in the winter months if you’re going to be outside for more than a half-hour.
- Snow = strength training. The surface on which you are running can either make the run easier or a bit tougher. And running on snow is definitely tough! But running on a slow surface (like snow or sand) will go a long way in building up your strength, and subsequently your speed. And if you’re like me, you’ll get a lot of core strength training just by trying to avoid slippery areas.
- Helps prevent SAD. Seasonal Effectiveness Disorder happens when the days get shorter and the temperatures drop. As a result, many people get what is commonly known as the “winter blahs”. Running outdoors releases tons of hormones that help combat this type of depression. An outdoor run also helps bring some positivity to what can be a bleak, grey and cold winter environment.
- Mental Workout. I’ve talked on my Instagram account about my mental training, and cold weather running is a big part of that training. Putting on your running gear and heading out into the cold and possibly wet, is tough. Especially when your home is toasty and warm. Every time you step out into the cold you’re building up your mental toughness and showing how strong you are.
Be prepared for your winter run.
When you’re running in the warm months or inside on a treadmill, you can sometimes get away with not doing a great warm-up. When it comes to winter running, I highly recommend doing a solid 10-15 minute warm-up. Your leg muscles will thank you for it!
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Winter run is way bet sunm! Addit, i run at night in the dark. Add a headlamp and tail oight and youre good to go!!