Bit premature but.......................

[grannyjudes]

Now I have graduated I have started fussing in my head on how I manage to run in the Winter ? Do you all just wait for a break in the weather, join a gym, ( dont fancy )

swim ( cant ) Answers on a pc please !!

[Beek Graduate]

No idea, not been doing this long enough but looking forward to the replies!

[tanyag_163 Graduate]

Hi Grannyjudes. I guess it comes down a little to personal preference. I started c25k in the middle of winter so am having the reverse struggle of how to cope in the heat. It is possible to get some good winter running kit, eg waterproof jacket for reasonable prices eg at sports direct or lidl. I prefer running outdoors to the gym, because even in the rain, it feels like freedom. That said, I was only ever out for around 30 minutes then, so it might be a different story this year now I'm on longer runs. However, I might restructure the runs to shorter ones carried out more often.

[grannyjudes Graduate]

I dont want to lose what have I gained tanyag, think I would cry !

[tanyag_163 Graduate in reply to grannyjudes]

Perhaps little and often might suit? You may want to consider shorter runs, but go for a swim as well?

[grannyjudes Graduate]

thinking swimming lessons and maybe a bike, what the hell as happened to me ?

[tanyag_163 Graduate in reply to grannyjudes]

Nothing at all. It's good to cross train: you will be keeping fit and you will probably find that it helps improve your running. It will help reduce the likelihood of running related injuries too because you are training your whole body. RFC might be a good person to ask for advice as she is triathlon training.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Come off it, grannyjudes, you can't look that far ahead!!! Armageddon might happen before the next winter.

Take it a day at a time, adjust clothing appropriately and....yes you guessed right, pay great attention to the weather forecast. The BBC weather app is excellent and works much better in the winter, when our weather normally reverts to more predictable cyclonic patterns ( ie. low pressure systems). I have to admit that I ran less through the winter and still have not started a run in heavy rain, mainly due to altering run times based on local conditions. OK, I am a wimp, JuicyJu will just tell you to buy a headtorch and go whatever the weather, but she is hardcore (you know what I mean JJ).

[Ray801 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I would not dream of putting myself in the same category as JJ but I also ran with a head torch during the winter months. Like you I also avoided the heavy rain but did run in the rain and kind of enjoyed running through the puddles. I was a little more careful when it was frosty but I wore some extra layers if it was particularly cold, gloves and hat. Although I did often find I would end up carrying them once I had warmed up.

I hope armageddon holds off until I have done my first 10k & Half Marathon, Mid September would be fine.

winter is a way off yet grannyJ.

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate]

Hi,

Over the last winter in the UK, I found that I ran a little less often, but I did keep it going. The biggest problems I found were:

Personally, I find treadmills to be boring. I like the open road. No gym for me.

Running in the dark. I have no street lights in my village and most roads have no pavement - it's dangerous.

Running on slippery ground. Not having sure footing leads to uncertainty and reduces the joy of running. It's also dangerous.

Running in the rain is a personal choice thing. I quite like running in light rain and find it refreshing. Heavy rain..... I do under protest and if I'm honest I avoid it.

Running in the cold....well, I don't know about you, but I'm never cold after the first 5 minutes! Just add leggings and/or a light running jacket or gillet.

My solution was to find a route that I could run on the pavement and to find time to run in daylight. Hi vis of some form is definitely recommended - if you're a motorist, you will know of the shock of coming across an unexpected pedestrian dressed in grey on a winter's evening. Snow and ice is a no-no in my opinion.

Whatever you do, be safe and think about how you'll appear to other road users.

[BoPeep9009 Graduate]

grannyjudes! Congratulations! Sure you didn't have a lovely shiny Grad Badge last time i saw you ..... well done you!!!

Blinkin' marvellous!

I have no idea about winter running but i suppose it means getting wet and cold and blown about and then enjoying lovely steamy mugs of hot chocolate after hot baths/showers ..... not toooooo bad?

Cool Runnings to you tho, well done once again on your graduation

[grannyjudes Graduate in reply to BoPeep9009]

I am very chuffed must admit !!

[BoPeep9009 Graduate in reply to grannyjudes]

i BET you are and so you SHOULD be!

From all the replies you have here it looks like a shopping trip for Winter Kit is on the cards!!!

[spoonierunning Graduate]

I've actually been wondering about that as well, as I run on unlit tow paths and trails. So I think come winter I will be pounding the streets. No gym for me, all that moving to stay in one place - not for me.

I think as long as you dress appropriately and stay safe winter running will be fun, I mean we will be warm from the effort while the muggles will be shuffling along freezing their bits off

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

I used to wear long leggings instead of capris but the best thing was compression vest and leggings underneath to form a double layer. Got mine from Aldi and they are excellent.

Also found gloves a must, a light waterproof running jacket keeps the wind out and finally a headband to keep my ears warm!

Hard to think of needing all this when it's so warm.

I have a treadmill but the only days I used it were when it was very icy underfoot or lashing down with rain - not so nice when it's very cold.

You'll manage fine when it comes - still get hot and sweaty!

[Laurae Graduate]

I have only just graduated recently too but even in sunny Scotland my last run was hard work with the heat and that was 25 at 9 pm( I am in NO WAY complaining about the weather, I love the sunshine and we don't get it alot). I find my biggest problem has been over heating so the cooler temps will be ok. I think I will try not to plan ahead and just take it as it comes. Who knows you may win the lottery and decided to winter abroad

[swanscot Graduate]

What do I do in winter? Keep on running and enjoy not getting so overheated. You'll learn about things such as running in Buffs and Yaktraxs. I LOVE running in snow - as long as it's not icy - and just get on with it when running in rain.

Snowy run: swanscot.wordpress.com/2013...

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate in reply to swanscot]

Yaktrax? Those spiky slip over the shoe things? You can run in them? Wow.

[swanscot Graduate in reply to Rob_and_his_westie]

Yaktrax are slip-over-the-shoe metal coils, like car snow chains, but for feet. The mini crampons are Micro spikes.

[grannyjudes Graduate]

Dont think I will be needing Yaktrax in cornwall, we rarely see snow

[paul2014 Graduate]

Well I bought myself a treadmill just before starting the c25k so I'll be using that if the weather is too bad you could pick up a basic one just for occasional use.

[Pollypanda Graduate]

I was training outdoors last winter, as I was going to British Military Fitness sessions on the Common. Rain, snow, mud - we trained in all conditions! I found the cold tough and I used to come home covered in mud, but I liked getting dirty, it made me feel like I'd exercised more

I found long thermal running leggings, a long sleeved top and gloves were essential. I also bought a pair of trail runners for better grip in the slippery conditions.

I've been wondering myself how I will handle winter as now I'm running it will be a bit different, in the dark and on my own. I'll probably mix it up and add BMF sessions back into the mix.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

I love my buff, hated giving it up as the warm weather came. I agree on the bbc weather app, whole training weeks were planned round it. The only weather I don't run in is ice and snow. I went out in the cold, longer leggings and layers to take off. I found I have to start off a bit slower as muscles take a little longer to warm up. But please enjoy the summer and autumn runs, by winter you will find a way naturally, as like you say the fear of losing it is too strong, you will conquer the great british weather no problem.

[Nilzed]

I started in the cold. Layers! hat! gloves! I wore thermal underwear under my long leggings, and a thermal vest under a running shirt and running jacket. If it was raining, i wore an old rain jacket of my husbands. Too big, but did the job as i was too big for a similiar ladies jacket and didnt want to wear my long regular raincoat! Gloves! I found fancy gloves with special tips that let me operate the apps on my smartphone. They ended up becoming my all the time gloves instead of my running gloves!

And, its not too early, you might find some bargains lingering on the sale racks.

[misswobble Graduate]

I ran through the programme in winter. I prefer running in cold to hot! I learned with ice to leave it til later in the morning to allow the ice to melt. Running on trails in proper shoes is a bit easier than the roads, as the ground is rougher so grip is better. I got much hardier, and from being a complete wimp, was soon ok doing my runs in just a long sleeved running top. I certainly moved my butt on the warm ups. Running on snow would be tricky. You need to be sure footed so if you're not then don't run

[Hidden]

I too wondered about this! I'm not so worried about getting chilly, but I'm asthmatic and wondered about exercising in cold air. Well, at the moment I'm only on week 3, so I thought I would just see how it goes, and maybe if I do a little at a time I will get used to the cold? That's what I'm hoping anyway...I've just added running to my exercise repertoire (after a friend of mine wrote a really good blog about his personal C25K journey and I thought "if he can do it, I can") but I am a swimming addict so I guess I will still get some exercise in winter even if I can't run so often

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I love running in snow (I have trail shoes) I love crunching through ice into cold puddles. I love being able to go out at minus 10 or so wearing cotton leggings and long sleeved cotton t shirt and being warm enough (multiple buffs are good for neck, hat and even for fingerless gloves - gloves are the one thing you do need in cold weather)

[frannyfran Graduate]

Not premature, just the best time to snap up these bargains for winter gear! Just ordered a pair of running gloves......

After last week georgeous weather, in Sweden we are now in a bout of cold weather. Tuesday run was done in temperature of 4 degrees!! OK. No panic. They say to dress for 10 degrees warmer. Well, that is not exactly true. I did and regretted it as I got cold.

So from my "experience", dress up for 10 degrees warmer IF the sun is shining. On overcast days it is not enough! But that's me. We are all different.

And this winter if you need motivation to get out of the door, spare a thought for me. Chances are it will be 15 to 20 degrees colder here! But on the good days when the sun is shining (it usually does), I will be out there running with my insulated boots, running pants + warm jogging bottoms, long sleeve teeshirt + coat, two pairs of gloves and a beany hat. And of course my happy dog at my side (He loves the cold weather and the snow!).

[caj62 Graduate]

Hi.

I prefer to run in the winter as I get too hot and bothered if it's warm. The only time I don't run is if it's too icy or snowy and thus dangerous!

Good luck!