Running in winter

[porger80]

Question for the experienced runners pls!

I'm considering giving up my gym membership even though I've been a committed gym goer for 20 years.

I've been converted to short runs (30 mins) almost every day since lockdown in replacement of gym, but weather has mostly been okay/good.

What is it like to run in winter? Is it scary running in dark if you have to do first/last thing in day? Is it cold and miserable and unpleasant? Are you more likely to not do it than go to a nice warm dry gym?

Anyone converted from indoor to outdoor frequent all year round exercise?

Love running in winter. So much easier to plod along on a run without overheating. Dry cold days are the best running weather. Rain is a bit tricky. For short runs up to an hour I'll often wear a thin single layer water repellent jacket - more breathable than a waterproof and it doesn't matter too much if you get a bit wet. For long runs or really heavy rain you will probably want to think about dropping semi serious money on a waterproof jacket. But wait and see how you get on. If you wear glasses a peaked cap will help keep the rain off them.

Dark doesn't bother me but then I live in a city so I'm never on my own. I do change routes a bit so fewer canals and more streets.

Buy some buffs, you can wear them round your head or your neck and they make a surprising difference to warmth. I rarely bother with gloves, a top with thumb holes works just as well and stops your hands getting too hot.

A couple of pairs of fleece lined leggings for those frosty days and you're good to go.

Autumn is a tricky time because of all the leaves on the pavements - if it's wet, they get really slippery, so you need to be careful, especially if you're running in the dark!

I run in the winter less so in the summer.

I run rurally with a head torch and something high vis.

I go out mainly in the dark on unlit lanes and feel v safe and happy. Burglars and rapists don't wait on my lane at 4.45am just in case an average female runner comes along

oh I have raynauds and often run in ugg mittens when it is frosty.

@beguilingeyes I’m in Northern Alberta. Our coldest park runs this winter (before Covid) were -36. I’m waiting on a hip replacement so usually volunteer. It’s not pleasant at those temperatures!

I run outside all year round (mainly 5km runs, with occasion longer weekend runs). I head out at 6am before work. I won't lie, it's nicer in the summer but I don't hate winter running.
What helps is that I run with friends so it's harder to talk yourself out of it as you'd be letting someone down.
Get a good running light (mine is a chest one as I find head-torches annoying) & some good hi-vis gear (Proviz is the best). In our area the street lights don't come on until 6:30-7ish, so the first 30 mins is pitch black without the torch.