How do I get motivated to run in winter?

[RubyRunway]

It's so cold!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I can only think of one occasion when I actually felt uncomfortably cold when running and that was because I had forgotten my gloves.......and I have run when it was below zero Centigrade.Wear layers, cover extremities, use a buff to breathe through and possibly a windproof jacket, but you soon warm up and some of those crisp winter days with the low sun glancing through the mist and trees are magical moments.........run somewhere beautiful, don't trudge the urban streets.

[Hidden in reply to IannodaTruffe]

"Oh gloves I thought" 🥶 at a park run last winter, gloves left at home 🤦 the ache in my fingers from the wind chill , gloves and buff priceless items every runner should have!

[RubyRunway in reply to Hidden]

Thanks! I will definitely wear gloves.

[spongecat Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I'm always amazed at how quickly I warm up with only a running shirt and leggings. Beanie hat is always good and gloves......plus it's weird wearing sunglasses but all my runs seem to be into the sun, I do get odd looks sometimes!

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

If you're talking about the UK, then it's not *that* cold at the moment.

But if you're in Minnesota, USA, then I sympathise.

[RubyRunway in reply to John_W]

It's the UK. But it feels cold to me.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to RubyRunway]

So... do you go out in the cold normally or hibernate until the Spring?

The key is to layer-up appropriately, invest in a decent hat and some gloves and a nice pair of leggings. Jog done.

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to RubyRunway]

It’s fine as soon as you start running

[nowster Graduate]

Crisp, bright, still winter days are a pleasure to be active outside on, as long as you're dressed appropriately.

[FurtherFaster]

Remember winter miles mean summer smiles!

[RubyRunway in reply to FurtherFaster]

I'll try.

[Hidden]

I started running a couple of years ago in spring. Ran through summer and then autumn arrived. I reached up to 7 km in one go and was so proud of myself. But the cold... I just couldn't cope with it and I stopped. Had not run in years until 3 weeks ago.

3 weeks ago I thought, why not restart? I saw so many people running and it itched. So I plopped C25K on my phone and I started with lesson 1. You know what it is about starting to run in autumn? You have not been sugarcoated by summer and you are immediately in the less nice weather. I must say, so far I am not complaining about the weather.

Yesterday was my chilliest run so far. It was 4°C and there was a very sharp wind. It was COLD! But the wind stopped after a few minutes and after my first running part, I found it actually rather nice. I have to say, it was also drizzling seriously, but for some odd reason, I like running in a drizzle. I'm not saying rain though!

I now wear a thin short sleeved shirt + a long sleeves shirt with thin fleece inside + body warmer, with a pair of training pants, headband to protect the ears, fingerless gloves and a buff. I have to say, people mentioned in on this forum before, but a buff is VERY handy! No more aching teeth from the cold. I do look like a criminal though, haha. But I can still add a fleece jacket and a rain jacket when it grow colder still. I'm not saying I'm looking forward to the winter months to run in, but I think I prefer cold over heat

[RubyRunway in reply to Hidden]

Thanks but what is a buff?

[Hidden in reply to RubyRunway]

A sort of thin tube scarf which you can pull up over your nose and mouth. Very handy in winter 😁

[RubyRunway in reply to Hidden]

Thanks !

[RubyRunway in reply to Hidden]

Thanks! Very motivating.

[Rennur Graduate]

I will only be able to comment after this week when gets down to around 5 degrees or less. At the moment it has been about 10 degrees or less. I find my sweatshirt is superfluous after about 5 minutes. I have been thinking it is good to do this now because hopefully I will be a lot fitter and might not boil to death come the summer.

[Tasha99 Graduate]

You have to remember the post run high