Layer Up
Keep warm by wearing thin layers preferably of a breathable material. It’s horrible heading out when it’s cold but try not to wear too much or you’re just stuck with it tied around your waist after five minutes. A clever trick is to warm your base layer on the radiator before you put it on.
Extremities
When you exercise blood gets pumped to the working muscles so your extremities are particularly vulnerable making running gloves and a hat (or something like the new SE Fitness Buff) essential.
Warm Up
Make sure you warm up before you start. A few dynamic exercises may be all the stands between you and a pulled muscle in the first mile.
Keep Hydrated
Whilst not sweating as much as on a hot day you will still be losing fluid (what makes the plumes of steam coming from your panting)?! Central heating, heating in cars are also a factor in dehydration so make sure you drink plenty before and after your exercise. Perhaps a nice hot squash which will warm you up as well!
Have Happy Feet
I’ve said this before but it bears repeating. Wet feet are a misery! Trainers or boots with a Gore Tex lining will keep your feet warm and dry. Nowadays you can also get waterproof socks which, whilst expensive for socks are not as much as trainers, if anyone has tried these I’m interested to hear what they are like. Beware trail shoes if you need trainers offering you support. Trail shoes are usually waterproof but often don’t come with the cushioning.
Keep Going
Once you lose your routine it can be very tough to get it back so try to ignore the weather and keep going! Find what motivates you. SE Fitness can help through the peer pressure of knowing your friends are going without you! I’ve mentioned setting a Spring Goal. We’ve had a great turnout for our Couch to 5K groups this month. Let’s all celebrate at parkrun together on 30th March #teamgoal!
Seize the Day
If you’ve set a Spring Goal and it’s a biggie then sticking to ‘The Plan’ can become rather an obsession! Whilst I’m all for having something to keep you motivated you also need to keep yourself safe and well. After all we are not professional athletes we have families, employers and other folks who rely on us! If you’ve planned a speed session but it’s icy underfoot then maybe it’s time to rethink – perhaps off road hills or hit the treadmill instead.
The weather can be bad in Winter – that’s a fact! At other times it can be absolutely perfect. Nothing beats getting outside on a Winter’s day when the sky is high and blue, the air crisp and frost glitters the grass. If we get a day like that – get out whatever you do!