A truly spectacular night in Sutton Park for our Wolf Moon Run. Very clear and cold so the moon was bright and it was crisp and frosty under foot with a mist forming.
Next one and last for this winter is Wednesday 16th February.
The National Running show is on at the NEC this weekend, from 22 – 23 January, I have some free tickets so please message me if you’d like them!
So pleased to hear that several of you are taking the plunge and signing up for events, it will help to keep you motivated through the Winter months.
Karim joined our Couch to 5K programme last Spring and has been steadily working his way through our groups ever since. He has registered for Regency 10K which is a charity run in Leamington Spa. He has persuaded several other runners to join him so I thought this one might inspire you too!
This will be Karim’s first 10K almost exactly one year since he first started running with SE Fitness. Good Luck Karim!
Tomorrow evening, Monday 17th January, it is the first full moon of 2022 – the wolf moon.
Therefore it is time for SE Fitness to dig out our head / chest torches, get them charged and set off on one of our little mid winter, weeknight adventures where we explore Sutton Park in the dark.
I don’t think there are wolves in the park (any more) although there are owls and foxes and other strange nocturnal beasties!
All welcome please check in with the WhatsApp bubbles if you want to come along. Applies to all Monday evening walking and running groups.
The sale is on! Many items currently reduced at Sutton Runner so get yourself sorted for winter.
My top tips are:
- Waterproof trainers (not trail shoes)
- Lightweight accessories for your extremities – hats and gloves
- Fresh socks
- Hi Viz for darker mornings and evenings
If you can’t find the items you want in the sale then the next 20% off week for SE Fitness will be 7-12th of February.
https://www.stuweb.co.uk/events/2022/04/3/3946/
https://www.largeoutdoors.com/winter-walking-festival-peak-district-big-weekend
https://www.theraceorganiser.com/e/warwick-half-marathon-7663
https://www.nice-work.org.uk/races/Carsington-Half
Here’s some suggestions for helping your motivation this Winter!
Sign up for an Event
Having an event in the calendar is one of the best ways to keep your motivation high during the winter months. I’ve suggested a few events to tempt you above but I am sure a quick browse on the internet and you will find something to suit you.
My suggestions include a couple of popular local events: 7 Pools 10K in Sutton Park on 20th March, we will be practising parts of the route in our group runs. Cathedral to Castle 10 mile run is very popular with SE Fitness. This year it is early April and I’m proposing some longer runs for our Saturday morning groups in preparation.
For our walkers I’ve found a Peak District walking festival in mid February which looks great and is not too far away.
Also stretching further afield the last three of my suggestions take in Warwick half marathon (a road route in early March) Carsington Water 10K or half marathon (mix of trail around the lake at the end of February) and Dark and White events who offer a range of proper trails runs in the Peak District (people also treat these as walking events).
Hope you might find something there to motivate you or perhaps you’ve already signed up to one of your own? Please comment and let us know your plans! Who knows you might inspire someone else to take part too.
Mix up your Training
Perhaps events are not your thing? Then to add motivation during these months you could look at mixing up your own training. If you normally exercise at night perhaps try an early morning. If you normally run or walk three times a week perhaps swap one of those for a strength training session in the gym, or a swim or a bike ride? Mix your training up a bit can help keep you motivated and also is great for your general fitness. SE Fitness speedwork on Thursdays at 8pm is another way of changing your run. Please don’t avoid SE Fitness hill or speed sessions. I know people drop out of the groups when they find these are scheduled! Please don’t! Mixing up your training adds interest to your runs, help make you fitter and make a change from slipping about in the mud. People enjoy them when they come!
Use the Groups
Running on your own in Winter can be lonely especially on the darker nights. SE Fitness sessions are there to help. It is much easier to get out of the door if you know you will be meeting up with like-minded others for a chat and a few laughs as well as the exercise.
Keep going SE Fitness!
A crisp and frosty morning for a run on Friday, rather more gloomy on Saturday.
If you are struggling to get out in the dark January mornings or evenings then why not join SE Fitness daytimes?
We have Leader lead runs going out at 9:30 Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and at 8:30 on Saturday mornings.
Drop the kids at school and come and join us!
Some people love a Winter run (personally I prefer to run when it’s cool) and to get out in a bright and frosty winter’s morning is one of life’s pleasures indeed. However, for those of us who prefer to exercise outside we know a lot of it can be cold, wet and dark so here’s some tips to help on the days when you really don’t feel like setting foot out the door!
Footwear
Getting the footwear right is crucial for your comfort and safety. I like trainers with a waterproof lining which keep my feet clean and dry on the trails and waterproof boots for walking. These only fail if the water comes in over the top but that doesn’t happen often. I recommend getting road trainers with a waterproof lining rather than trail shoes. Trail shoes tend to have lower levels of cushioning which can be very hard on the mix of road / gravel paths we use.
Clothes
Thin layers are best and remember go out a bit chilly as you will warm up on the walk or run and personally I hate having lots of stuff around my waist! Look after your extremities: hats such as a Waterfowl Hunting hat and gloves can make a big difference to how warm you feel but are easy to take off and tuck in a waistband or up a sleeve as you get going. Keep your stuff lightweight and technical – you don’t want to be weighed down by damp cotton! SE Fitness t shirts or long sleeve tops from £11.50 night time runners remember your hi viz. https://www.sportologyonline.com/collections/se-fitness
Warm Up
Get yourself warm before you start to get the blood flowing so join in the SE Fitness warm up! This is to help avoid injury but also to bring your mind into the moment. Staying safe on the slippery trails / dark pavements requires your concentration.
Motivation
It’s important to understand what motivates you to get outside especially as sticking to a routine is essential during the Winter months. Do you need to know you’ve got a nice dinner / brunch waiting for you afterwards? Is it the thought of a long hot soak in the bath or a couple of extra biscuits? Perhaps you have signed up for an event so you have no choice but to keep on training? Whatever motivates you it is important you have it ready for the days you don’t feel like it. Remember: getting out the house is the hardest part, you will always feel better once you have done it!
Cool Down and Change
In the winter it’s important not to linger too long in sweaty clothes as you can get chilly again. Cool down, stretch out then change into something dry and enjoy a post run drink (after washing your hands of course)!
Keep well SE Fitness!
Keen to keep everyone safe when they join SE Fitness for a run or walk this season so, while COVID infection rates are high, I thought it worth a few reminders of good practice.
- Please only join an SE Fitness session if it is safe for you to do so and you are not putting the rest of the group at risk. Leaders will check in at the start of the session to make sure everyone is well enough to take part. Please carry your In Case of Emergency details on your person along with any medication you may need eg inhaler.
- Use the WhatsApp group to let the leader know you are coming or to drop out last minute.
- We will continue to meet outdoors for the time being so please meet in the small car park and carry your own belongings with you. Similarly, we are trying to keep cash payments to a minimum.
- To be safe it is worth keeping your distance from others so please avoid hugging!
- It is really important that we are courteous to other pedestrians on the pavement and users of Sutton Park. We do not know there circumstances to please be careful to keep your distance.
- After the run or walk please be sure to practice good hygiene, wash your hands or use hand sanitiser, especially before eating or drinking.
Thank you!
Happy New Year SE Fitness!
Thanks to everyone who joined one of our charity events over the festive period. You raised £288 for local charity THE GAP supporting young people who are having problems in Sutton Coldfield.
Thanks everyone xx