Hi everyone, I have been lurking in the sidelines on this forum for some time, it’s very open, supportive and encouraging. I thought I should jump in and say hi. Sorry for the long post.
I started running around the time I was 20, but never full runs - more like intermittent runs/walks. I have been doing that on and off for years, I am 49 now. I had never thought of myself as a runner because I could never run more than 2-5 mins at a stretch but I have always enjoyed my walk-runs and the time it gave me to just enjoy nature and feel alive, happy, peaceful…😊
Last year I decided to try c25k - the NHS app is not available here in Sweden, I use fitness 22’s 5k app which uses the same principle. You graduate at 8 weeks but it continues after with interval training with fast and slow runs to help you consolidate. I started last year, then fell of my bike and broke my arm when I had reached week 6 and had to restart again this year after getting back sufficient shoulder mobility. Restarted this April and graduated in August and now I am in week 12.
It feels so fantastic to be able to run for 30-40 mins at a stretch - by the way I haven’t reached 5k yet, the furthest has been 4k. I am just happy for everyday that I can run, no matter the actual distance. My strategy is to walk the remaining time if I am not able to run the whole time. Now the challenge is the coming winter. I have never been able to run during the winter before and certainly not after pavements ice over. This is the furthest I have come in terms of running during the colder months and it’s only October ☹️. Any tips on how to keep going? I bought a treadmill as back-up just in case I can’t run outside.
Thanks for letting me ramble.
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Leuna
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What a superb post. Your story is so encouraging. You deserve to be massively proud of yourself. Sweden is a beautiful country. We’ve been a couple of times and can’t wait to go again. I wish I’d been running when we were there!
I did c25k this year in January/February time so got used to running in the rain. I found having a routine where I was committed to running three times a week really helpful. I’d try and sneak out during gaps in the worst of the weather. I did find I felt like a hero running when it was chucking it down and windy. It’s a great feeling getting in the shower afterwards.
Having good kit helps. Two pairs of trainers was absolutely worth the investment to not put wet ones on. A good head torch and reflective gear is a must when it’s grey or dark. A cap with a peak helps if it’s raining and you wear glasses. I don’t like running in a waterproof because it gets too sweaty but a light, wind proof jacket is sometimes useful.
If it’s at all icy, I just don’t risk it and swim or do a strength workout instead. Your treadmill is a great advantage there!
I’ve recently joined a local running club who seem really friendly and not scary so hopefully the encouragement and commitment of going with others will help when running isn’t that enticing.
Thank you MissUnderstanding, appreciate the support. I will try the gear you suggested. I dont plan to run on ice or snow, would like to avoid injury as much as possible. Don’t really enjoy the treadmill but I will have to get used to it for the snowy months.
I live in the countryside, prefer running in colder weather and have happily run in rain, hail and snow, provided that I can still see my feet. I won't, though, run on ice or when the snow's so deep that it hides potholes, ruts, dips and ditches. It's a risk i'm not prepared to take.
Having shoes with the right grip is important - I wear my trail shoes. You can also add Yaktrax or similar crampons.
As for clothing, it needs to be easily visible, e.g. with reflective markings, and in wicking fabrics. Layers are really useful, and gloves and a hat or headband can make all the difference, especially when there's a cold wind. I hate feeling overheated when running and have run in minus 6 wearing softshell leggings, a sleeveless top under a long-sleeved one, gloves and a fleece beanie, which was perfect for me. You might find that insufficient, so experiment to find what works for you.
One other suggestion - when it's really cold outside, do your warm-up inside, then start your run gently as soon as you get outside. That way you avoid getting cold and tensing up when you're outside.
You're welcome Leuna . Unless I go up into the forest, which isn't a good idea in wintry weather, the first part of my running routes is along an exposed, north-facing road. That's when it dawned on me that an indoor warm-up might help!
plus: how cold does it get in the Swedish winter? I was in Russia last winter, about 20-30 cm of snow on the ground and temperatures below zero. I was running 3 times a week on this. As it was so cold the snow didn't turn to mush like it does in England, it just made a wonderful crunching sound. It wasn't slippery either, it's the ice that makes it slippy.
Layer up, keep your extremities warm, mittens are good (advice from an old granny there ). My coldest run was -10C, invigorating. Everywhere that I was wearing 2 or more layers was absolutely toasty, but my thighs (just cold weather leggings on bare skin) were literally numb when I got home. I'd love to do this again!
wow! You ran in -10. Usually it is between -12 to -15, -20 occasionally. I am kind of looking forward to giving it a try 😊. Have seen some regular runners in my neighborhood and I always envied them. Since I know my regular running paths without potholes and such, hope to give it a try.
Wow! -10°C. The last time we saw that temperature in the UK was in 2010. It was weird for us: snow didn't turn to slush and remained crunchy underfoot. There was, mercifully, no wind at all.
In that sort of weather I'd probably be thinking about wearing about three layers, but it all depends on how windy it was.
Hi, Leuna, I have to stop running every winter due to snow so I get out and shovel instead and just re-start C25k every spring so I am no help to you but am just sharing. Sometimes there are gaps in the snow and I can get out. I live near the Great Lakes in Michigan in the US. It snows a lot and we call it “lake effect” snow. Our state made the news with a surprise dump of a foot and a half of snow this past week. Luckily where I live we did not get any snow this week though! We have a treadmill in our basement but I don’t like to use it because of radon in the basement. I was just discussing bringing the treadmill upstairs with my son but we agree there isn’t really any room. 😟😟😟
Hi LiisaM, I bet it’s beautiful with the lake effect snow and I am pretty sure you enjoy it in other ways than running. No harm in waiting for beautiful spring to run again. I have never run in the winter before, I usually pack up my running gear when it goes below 10. This year I would like to try intermittently if possible, more as a challenge and because I find it boring to run on treadmill. Today, I ran at 3 degrees which was a new one for me. I didn’t feel as cold as I expected to feel but I suspect my body has been getting used to the outside temperatures as well. Bought a treadmill as backup anyway and waiting for it to arrive. I live in an apartment, no space 😬, but I have a second store room at the end of my balcony. I am clearing it out to make room for the treadmill. 😃 lets’s see how that goes.
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