How does this work in winter?

[Stephen_UK]

Running is lovely in summer. There’s so much light that you can head out early and really use the time well.

But how will this work in winter? The paths I use would be impossible to see, and pretty dangerous. Then there’s slippery ice...

Experienced runners, what do you do about this?

Do you pound the pavements beneath street lighting?

Do you actually run less?

I know it seems ridiculous to be asking this in June, but I’m enjoying this new hobby so much and don’t want to mess it up because of those pesky season changes.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

There are still a lot of running during the winter months Stephen, I admit I didn't run much at all during the first winter after I graduated and reran some of C25K in the Spring, New Year's Day sees some of the highest attendances at parkruns, irrespective of what day it is.

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks, Al.

I guess my question is what to do about the lack of light if you run before 8am or after 4pm.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Stephen_UK]

Some running caps have lights, it is not advisable to run in the dark where there are no lights or if don't have a light on your running cap.

[backintime Graduate10]

I would suggest swapping out those shorts for something longer : p

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to backintime]

Ha ha. And trainers for snow-boots.

[backintime Graduate10 in reply to Stephen_UK]

Or even snow shoes...or cross country skis : )

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to backintime]

Or maybe I should just go sledging instead.

[Jell6 Graduate10]

Layers, lights, hi vis...

It takes a bit longer to get ready though!😊

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to Jell6]

Thanks. And slippy surfaces?

[Jell6 Graduate10 in reply to Stephen_UK]

I run on roads and lanes, frost is okay, fresh snow is something I have tackled twice, if it feels too slippy underfoot I reschedule.

I suppose where you are is a big factor, I am in the North West, and we seem to miss the more extreme weather.

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to Jell6]

Thanks. We get all kinds where I am, but icy paths are a regular thing. Worst-case scenario is slipping over on black ice, which I did last year and seriously injured my back. And that was just while walking.

[damienair Administrator]

I train harder during the winter. I’m lucky to live just on the outskirts of a town and can avail of a 7K and 5K loop which has good paths and street lights. It’s really hard to drag yourself out there on those awful cold wet and windy days. But when you train hard you stay warm. And then you can reap the benefits by improving your times during the spring and summer.

Damien

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Thanks. That’s a good point. The incentive to stay warm must keep you going.

[Sqkr]

I live in Scotland, and winter is my hands-down favourite running month! 😄 Night running is brilliant, too. Both together is the best. When it's dark, if I'm going off road or in the woods I'll wear a petzl head light, if I'm running in an urban environment I'll wear a neon jacket. I don't layer up too much if it's chilly, just a lightweight non-waterproof zippy top over a long sleeve top. If it's really baltic I might stick on a thermal top instead. Winter running tights are great, and I'll wear a Buff over my ears. Well, I always wear a Buff, but in winter I upgrade to a merino one. If it's icy I wear yaktrax. No excuses, winter running is lovely.

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to Sqkr]

Thank you. Pleased to hear that there are positives. I definitely need to invest in some gear. Do you feel safe in the woods in the dark?

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

It’s doable Stephen, but you need to be creative! I even joined a gym so I could use the treadmill if it got too icy, but fortunately I didn’t have to use it much (sooo dull).

I’m lucky as I can run during the day - I have the greatest respect for people who get up early and run in the dark/cold. Many do though.

You’ll need layers, and gloves are a must. Even when you’ve warmed up to the point of needing to shed clothing, fingers never seem to get toasty!

Enjoy the summer for now! 😀

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks. Yes, I am definitely making the most of these summer months.

I am nowhere near a gym, but creative route-planning (and the right clothes) seem the best options.

[Equi-geek Graduate10]

Lights, reflective kit, and get yourself in a club or Good Gym. I ran through last winter and hate dark cold evenings (I hibernate) so it really was a mix of Parkrun, Tuesday Good Gym and a lunchtime or morning run in daylight on Thursday that kept me going. It was absolutely 100% worth keeping going. Friends that stopped have found it really difficult to pick it up again in the spring and I was sooooo much fitter. Snow is ok, the only issue is ice (find a treadmill at the leisure centre) and freezing air can be hard on the throat, but you do acclimatise.

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to Equi-geek]

Thank you for this. All good advice and all noted.

[Myzinnyboy 60minGraduate]

You have just written what I was thinking. I prefer to go early in the morning, and at the moment I can leave the house at 4.45 am and it’s light. Come the winter and it will still be dark at 7 30, I do have a headlamp, and where I run it’s tarmac but no lighting, it’s a footpath, so I’ll have to see how it goes. It would be a shame to lose this level of fitness that I have at the moment. Haven’t been as active in years. Also like lots of lady runners who are carrying a bit of extra condition, I don’t like too much of an audience, so I too will have to be creative about where and when I’m running!

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to Myzinnyboy]

I think we will find ways to keep this going. Agree that maintaining fitness is very important.

[Chris141 Graduate10]

I started C25K in January. Early morning runs too. Yes several postponed due to Ice and rain and wind. But not too many of those. Just put more layers on. This means I am now having to get used to Summer running with higher temperatures and longer runs as I am now bridging!

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to Chris141]

Hi Chris. Thanks for this. I started in February so it was never that chilly. But it did help me not to get too hot.

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

You could join a running club for the winter months. Safety in numbers, etc. They’ll also know the best routes for light and terrain.

Good advice already given but you’ll notice your energy levels improve in the cold and it’ll be easier to run faster. I adore winter running and hate heat as it saps your energy. I find winter running so much more ......energetic 😂

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks. That’s a very interesting idea. I had never considered running clubs before. But do any of them run at silly pre-work hours? That’s my only slot, unfortunately.

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to Stephen_UK]

Depends on the club. The one I belonged to had members who would text each other for meet ups at various times of the day and week. So if you fancied a run at 5 in the morning you might have found someone to go with you! Worth a try. Ask in your local running shops for good clubs in your area.

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks very much. I will look into this.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Like you I ended up with an injury (fractured vertebra) as a result of walking on ice, in my case hidden under snow in a car park. I was really careful last winter. I used my trail shoes, but if there was anything other than minimal amounts of ice about which I could spot and run round, I didn't run. I did run on fresh snow. Just a question of being sensible. I took to the roads/pavement when they had been gritted, but I wouldn't have taken to the roads in the dark! My youngest bought me a head lamp last winter. I am sure it will be useful, but given that I am retired, I can and do choose to run in daylight! No sense in taking any risks...better to miss a few runs than risk weeks on the IC!!

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yes, exactly. Ice is the enemy, and I was a lot more careful after that. Pleased you can enjoy daylight runs.

[R4inbow]

I did run less last winter, as I run on country roads without pavements so I'm not prepared to go unless it's daylight.

However, one thing that really helped me was joining a local running club. They go on organised routes and you're with other people which made me a lot happier about going out in the dark, so it helped me keep going. They were great about high vis/lights etc, plus I think small groups are much easier to see than people on their own.

(just read the other replies properly and I think someone had already suggested this!)

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to R4inbow]

Thanks, R4inbow. Yes, it’s a great idea and gives me a positive way to think about tackling the winter months.

[Marvelm4d]

I found that when you are truly bitten by the running bug...you get creative and find ways to go out. Your guilty conscience will not let you stay in the house. Great advise below: layers, lights, gloves!, avoid ice. Good luck! but indeed...let’s enjoy the long, warm days for now.

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to Marvelm4d]

Thanks for this. Yes, so much good advice and inspiration here and it’s all very much appreciated. I definitely have the bug.

[Hidden]

Hey Stephen, I love winter running. I usually overdress for my runs anyway so winter is an excuse to wear wooly hats, gloves, thermal leggings etc. You can't beat running on a crisp, cold Sunday morning. i try to do my short runs at lunchtime - would that be a possibility for you ? My colleagues endure my t-shirts, socks and worse drying on the radiators on rainy afternoons. Running in winter is easier than trying to find a coolish time to run in a french heatwave. Good luck - you'll love it.

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. I will have a think about lunchtime runs, but where I work isn’t ideal for that. I like the thought of you using the radiators to dry your running gear. Not sure my colleagues would be so tolerant.

Hope you are coping with the heatwave OK.

[Hidden in reply to Stephen_UK]

Blooming hard to sleep - even with the windows wide open and the mozzies buzzing around my head. One of my colleagues is a runner so i think she understands (she has been known to dry items of her own). The other is a very tolerant guy with daughters, who doesn't bat an eyelid to sports bras and smelly socks....

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

They sound great.

Hope you can do whatever possible to stay cool.

[Hidden]

I actually prefer running in winter. Halloween was one of the best runs I’ve ever done, there are Zombie runs and all sorts of weird runs you can do. You’ll be surprised how many people are out on Christmas Day. It’s nice, everyone wishing you merry Christmas on your run.

I also just prefer night running, don’t know why.

If you want to do some winter cross country running, get yourself some trail or x-country shoes, i have some inov-8 trail shoes, they make a massive difference. I don’t worry about slipping in them, even on wet rock.

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, Clubberlang. Appreciate the tips. How does a zombie run work?! Having a zombie coming after me would certainly be a good way to increase my speed.

[orangeguy Graduate10]

Yaktrax are the answer to snow and ice, sorry if somebody has already mentioned them

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to orangeguy]

Thanks. These look like a great invention.

[orangeguy Graduate10 in reply to Stephen_UK]

You probably wouldn't want to wear them to do really long distances but I have found they have enabled me to get out and run when there has been packed ice and snow.

[Stephen_UK Graduate10 in reply to orangeguy]

I had never heard of them, but what a brilliant idea. Thanks.