BTL Run Club: December 2020

This Month in Run Club

Oh cold weather running, you are a BEAST!! As the days get shorter and the temperature decreases, finding the motivation to get out and run can be a real struggle. This month, we’ll talk about some tips and tricks to tap into your motivation and for how to best approach running during this time. Feeling like your motivation is lacking? Take some time to reflect on your why for running. Why did you want to start running to begin with? What do you get out of running? What are your goals for this run? How do you want to feel after this run?

One of the more frustrating aspects of cold weather running can be figuring out what to wear. Avoid the desire to dress for how cold it feels when you first step outside. Instead, think about keeping your head and hands warm with a hat and gloves or mittens. Wear a sweat-wicking base layer on top with one or two additional layers that you could remove as you go. Keeping your core area warm is a great way to keep the entire body warm. A lightweight vest can go a long way in this regard.

If your schedule prevents you from getting outside during daylight hours and you’re not loving the idea of treadmill runs, consider some tips to staying safe while running in the dark.

First and foremost, be attentive to your surroundings. Consider leaving your headphones at home so you can listen to the noises around you. Cars may have a more difficult time seeing you when you’re running in the dark. Try to avoid wearing all black and find some reflective gear to wear. If possible, find a well lit route to run and stick to familiar areas. Running in the dark forces you to tune into your senses in a way that daytime running does not. Use this as a time to practice some mindful running!

At Home Exercise: Your Approach this Month

Colder weather means tighter muscles. It takes longer for the muscles to loosen up when you’re outside running in the cold. If it feels like you’re dragging your feet or it’s difficult to propel your body forward, it may mean your body hasn’t sufficiently warmed up yet. Combat this by spending 5-10 minutes doing an indoor warm-up before you head outside to run (check out the warm-up video posted this month!).

“In the midst of winter I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus