Cold vs Hot weather

[Running_Giraffe]

Does anyone else feel the cold weather makes running more difficult?

I should note that I'm a person who was born in the wrong country (Scotland), I love the heat, heating is always on and I wrap up in the duvet in the summer lol.

I just feel the cold really effects my bones, my legs never feel warmed up, each step feels hard because my legs feel so cold. Can't help but think if I'd started this in the spring/summer I'd find it slightly easier.

Is there any truth to this or is it all in my head?

If the latter does anyone have any advise on how to make it easier to run in the cold.

Thank you 😊

[Buddy34 Graduate]

I don't know if there is much difference maybe put more layers on when you're feeling cold you can only try and see what happens

[Running_Giraffe Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

I'm always wrapped up on the top half but I might double the leggings next week or add some thick high socks

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Maybe

There’s a reason that the marathon season is split into two halves, the vast majority being spring and autumn. Cold is a little harder, hot is also pretty hard to run. Running in the cold will make you a better runner, as will running in summer heat. While athletes tend to have little time off, virtually all of them (certainly the 5k+ group) will be putting in the training January through to April to be ready for their events... marathon runners will have been training from October/November for April’s race in London but the long runs start to get more serious January onwards.

So, maybe it would be slightly easier to start running in April, you’ll be a better runner for some enjoyable 5ks in spring by running in the cold.

I started running in the heat of last summer... I’d gladly swap you for this cold!

[Running_Giraffe Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I was looking and noticed the marathons tend to be when the weather's just mild, not too hot or cold.

It might be mind over matter due to me being a lizard in a human body, I just crave the heat.

I'll look forward to the spring and fingers crossed the Scotland has a good summer.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Running_Giraffe]

45f is apparently perfect distance running temperature... which makes sense as they say to dress for 10C hotter than the run, so that would make for 65F and very pleasant! I think the warmup is the bit that sucks most when it’s cold!

[becks7089]

I definitely find it more difficult to run in this cold weather. I find the cold really gets to my chest (I've been diagnosed as mildly asthmatic so this may have something to do with it) so I am very much looking forward to spring arriving!

A keen runner friend advised me, as a newbie, that under no uncertain terms must you go out running if it is colder than 3 degrees. Are you keeping an eye on the temperature when you are going out?

[Running_Giraffe Graduate in reply to becks7089]

Oh gosh I'll be kept on a treadmill for the next month if I avoid less than 3 degrees although I might need to test this and try doing my warm up, run and cooldown in the gym. I've been avoiding the treadmill and kept all running to outdoors but it's worth trying

[CrimsonMama]

Interesting question! I haven't done this in the warm weather yet and have been thinking about how it will be and what might be different. I so far quite like the cold as I heat up fast and then am glad of the cold fresh air in my lungs! It can be hard starting off but I do a warm up indoors to get the heart and blood going first before starting.

I'm actually more worried about feeling too hot and less air in the summer!

[Running_Giraffe Graduate in reply to CrimsonMama]

I'll probably regret saying this if we get another good summer but I'm just not a fan of the cold at all. I'll many keep my runs to early morning and evenings in the summer

[Anthie Graduate]

Hello Running_Giraffe! I'm very sensitive to cold and yet thanks to C25K, I found out that I love running in the rain and I feel better running in the cold, even below 0°C (I even ran an hour and half in the snow last Wednesday). Believe me, it came as a surprise! So maybe it's a question of your getting used to it and also wearing the right stuff: have you tried the Merino running long-sleeved shirts? They're expensive but really fantastic. I usually wear one with a sleeveless under/over jacket, a buff and a windproof warm top if it's very cold, and I have warm leggings (Decathlon's because I'm in France, they're not too expensive).

The other thing you can try is warming up inside before putting on your warm jacket and getting out for your bouncy 5 mn walk. I'm not sure where you are in the programme but this will definitely help: a few squats, some lunges, swing your legs and standing hip rotation exercises (you'll find lots on YouTube). I need a longer warming up than the 5 mn walk of the programme and that's what I do when I run on a cold day.

I hope you'll find a way and enjoy your winter runs.

[Jell6 Graduate]

I have always been a "chilly person "

I started the programme in February, and then ran with pants over leggings, so far this year I am still in leggings, no overpants.

I much prefer running in the cold weather, in the summer I was out and about at 05.00 to avoid the heat.

Admittedly my legs don't warm up as much as my upper body, but I don't notice after about 1 km.

I think you will get used to it 🤩

[Running_Giraffe Graduate]

Thank you for all the tips and advice. I'm going to start week 4 tonight and do a warmup inside, double up the leggings and maybe add some thick high socks.

Unfortunately I can't avoid going out when it's cold because the weather looks to be cold for the next few weeks.

[Tasha99 Graduate]

The heat is worse