With temperatures dropping, you may be reconsidering your daily running routine. But, before you hang up your running shoes, rest assured that there are ways for you to stay warm and safe ad still keep up with your favorite exercise.
It’s very important that you do your best to stay warm, but this is not the only important factor to keep in mind. Don’t let your fitness routine drop, only because winter temperatures are. Your fitness and passion for running should remain intact, no matter how the weather may be.
Darkness and reduced visibility during the day are a considerable obstacle that you need to make sure you’re prepared for. The cold can certain affect your performance and even increase the risk of injury and other health issues.
But it’s just as important to make sure you avoid being involved in an accident. Check out the following health and safety tips that will cost very little and make sure you can keep up your performance.
Our Top Tips
- Consider wearing reflectors. The light in the winter is somewhat different than in the summer. The days get darker faster and when the weather is cloudy or snowy, visibility can be quite low. Even more so if you happen to be someone who runs in the early morning or evening. Reflectors can help motorists see you on dark days.
- Invest in headlamps. If you feel like you need something even stronger, consider using headlamps for your run. Not only will they help you be seen but they can also help you see better during foggy and cloudy days making sure that you’re always running safely.
- Try using active wear that has been designed to keep warmth in. Instead of having to bundle up in heavy layers, invest in good-quality active wear. There are designs that are meant to keep warmth in and while you wouldn’t want to wear them during the summer, they can work great in the winter. From pants to jackets and long-sleeve shirts, there are plenty of trendy options for you to stay warm while running.
- Wear headbands that cover your ears. There could be nothing worse than having your ears cold while running. In fact, cold ears are enough for you to want to race back home and forget winter running. When you invest in lightweight yet warm ear muffs or thick headbands, you can be sure that you won’t have to contend with cold ears.
- Use moisture-wicking active wear. Because you’re moving your body and exercising, you’re still going to sweat. While you may not sweat as much as in the summer, your body will still produce enough for you to worry about. What you don’t want to do is get full of sweat while you’re running in the cold. This can be bad for your health and very uncomfortable, as well.
Wear thicker socks. Cold feet are no fun and even worse when it’s snowing. Wear thicker socks during the winter to avoid cold toes or snow seeping in.- Make sure that your shoes aren’t made from mesh materials. Even more important than socks are your shoes. Your summer shoes probably won’t be enough to keep you warm during the winter. You don’t want them to be so breathable that water and snow can easily get in. Stay away from shoes with too much mesh.
- Use sunblock, just as you would in the summer. Even though the sun doesn’t seem to be shining, put on the sunscreen. You can still get a sunburn on a cloudy day. Sun protection is always important, no matter how the day may appear.
- Massage Vaseline or lotion into your face before running. One problem that many wintertime runners have is frostbitten cheeks. Heavy winds and cold air aren’t your skin’s friend and if you run without protection, it will show on your face. Avoid dry skin and damaged skin by massaging a powerful lotion into your cheeks before your run. Or, you can wear a mask.
- Have a hot cup of tea waiting for you after your run. A nice warm cup of tea can help you to warm up after a run. It’s also something that you can look forward to while trying to keep yourself motivated to run in cold weather.
- Change your clothes as soon as you’re finished running. If you’ve been running in snow or your clothes are full of sweat, you’ll want to change right away. It’s important to get warmed up right after you run to avoid getting sick.
Wear thicker socks. Cold feet are no fun and even worse when it’s snowing. Wear thicker socks during the winter to avoid cold toes or snow seeping in.Final Thoughts
From reflectors and headlamps to warm clothes and shoes, there are things that can make your winter run easier than ever before. While it may take an initial investment, it’s worth it to keep up with your running.
Just because the weather is “depressing,” you don’t have to be. Keep those endorphins up with the best winter active wear available on the market. It’s important to protect yourself when it’s cold and stay warm, no matter what. With the right gear, you can work off holiday weight as soon as you put
