After the hottest September on record, now in mid-October the chilly weather has finally set in. We’re finding it harder to get up in the mornings with the darkness still lingering at 7am and finding ourselves reaching for a woolly jumper to wear in to the office. It can be a very tempting time of year to hang up the gym gear and lie up in front of the fire with a hot chocolate and a film. Forget about the exercise routine for a couple of months and just relax indoors in the heat.
Tempting as it may be, there are too many benefits to ignore when it comes to keeping up your fitness routine through the winter months. You’ll keep your fitness levels high (not to mention your spirits!), improve your immune system and help keep those extra pounds at bay with the coming over-indulgent holiday season.
We’ve put together a post with a few tips for staying motivated, keeping up your routine and staying safe as you continue to run the roads in the darker mornings and evenings.
Wear the right clothes!
With the dark evenings setting in, now is the time to make sure you are wearing the right clothes to ensure you are visible to other runners, cyclists and motorists. Very often we see too many runners out in dark clothing which makes them hard to spot and consequently makes them very vulnerable. Make sure you invest in some high-vis gear such as our Mac in a Sac Active Lite Running Jacket, and you could even add some ankle and wrist straps to make you stand out even more.
Check the Weather
There’s nothing worse than heading out for a run and then getting caught in a downpour you weren’t expecting. The British winter can be extremely treacherous, casting all kinds of precipitation on you when you least expect it. Make sure you check the forecast and if you think the weather is looking too bad, don’t force yourself out the door for the sake of your routine. You could fall and hurt yourself in icy weather and then it could be even longer waiting to get out for your next run. If you insist on making it out in the rain, you will need a breathable waterproof jacket like our Mac in a Sac 2 to make sure you stay dry while keeping you well ventilated on your run.
Bring a Friend or Tell a Friend
You could plan to go running with a friend during the colder months. This will keep spirits high and will mean you have someone to motivate you when you’re not feeling in the mood to exercise. Even if you go running on your own, make sure you tell someone when and where you are running to and when you will be home. Safety first.
Motivation
It might be a good idea to plan your route ahead of your run. This way, you can plan to run a different route than usual to keep things interesting, or you could plan a shorter journey than you normally would run in warmer weather. Just keep telling yourself at least it’s not as long as usual!
Another good idea is to have a little treat waiting for you when you get home. Even if it’s just a cup of tea. Tell yourself you can’t have it unless you go for a run first.