Kouthar Sambo sent in some helpful tips to combat winter while being an active runner. These tips should inspire you to stick to your running journey.
Your body goes into shock, trying to recover from its warm cosy bed as you wake up in the early hours of the morning. As you look ahead – the road seems long and you notice the fog hiding the homes at the top of the street in the cold, dark mornings. With numb feet, each foot strike to the ground calls for a clear-cut of Winter’s breath on your skin. The icy cold winds slice through your pale skin even though your blood still runs warm.
So why do people do it? Why do people persist at putting their bodies through relentless pain? It’s called discipline.
“You’re crazy” – every runner’s compliment
Let’s face it, getting out of your warm, cosy bed to face the harsh Winters at 05:00 AM in the dark mornings can be daunting. I mean, the idea of such determination is admirable until you have to execute that idea into an action plan. In the end, as cliché as it may sound, the discipline lies within doing the things that needs to be done even when you don’t feel like it. Irrespective of this, we are only human and we will face these mental battles during the harsh elements of Winter.
Always warm up
Whether you’re running or simply doing other forms of fitness, it’s important to warm up – in and out of Winter. There are quick, simple exercises you can do to get the blood flowing. Another trick is to place the base clothing item over a heater so your body can adapt to this temperature. Avoid falling into the trap of wearing too much clothes as your body will naturally heat up during your run. When you wear too much clothes, you’ll find yourself removing layers of your clothes while running. For the runner specifically, he/she will have to carry it which deprives them from free swinging hands and arms. Sometimes it gets wrapped around the waist, causing it to flop against the waist which can be annoying.
Stay motivated with the proper Winter gear
Worst case scenario would be getting out of bed, going outside in the cold, sniffing the air and feeling the numbness to your nose. This can be demotivating. Part of motivating you to get out that front door is making sure you have the correct running gear. By this, I mean smart, wearable Winter gear such as thermal Winter tights that locks in heat and not sweat. The proper gloves, skull caps, windbreakers and beanies that are able to adjust to your body’s temperature. By its very nature, Winter calls for less atmospheric lighting. You may want to consider bright neon colours and perhaps reflectors so cars can see you.
Stay hydrated
As in Summer, keeping yourself hydrated is just as important in Winter. A lack of dehydration can weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to colds and flu. This can cause you to sit out of training for an entire week or, God forbid, even longer. Make sure you have sufficient Vitamin intake and feel free to catch up on Omega and Protein – even in the form of pills.
Bear in mind, running is a hobby and even a passion for some (like myself). In fact, any fitness journey requires preparation and planning. Set yourself reasonable fitness goals that you know you can reach by the end of the Winter. In doing so, take the necessary measures to maintain your fitness levels such as staying energized, warm, healthy, motivated and positive at all times!
Sources: Submitted to GTG
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