As we head deeper into winter and the temperature drops, many runners face a pivotal decision: retreat to the treadmill or embrace the brisk outdoors. In this week’s blog post, our Marketing and Communications Officer Sophie, discusses how to motivate yourself to get running outdoors and make the most of the cold weather!
The cold can seriously impact willpower when it comes to tackling that long weekend run. This weekend I was reticent to go out in the cold, but I’m glad I did. I am a bit of a fair-weather runner, myself. If it rains, it takes a lot of internal battling to get my feet out of the front door. I imagine snow would take even more of a talking up! It seems like everyone gets into a frenzy when snow descends upon England, we are not equipped to deal with it. However, I did see some dedicated runners plugging away at their miles yesterday. Good for them!
There is a lot of controversy around running in cold temperatures. With talk of freezing your lungs and damaging your respiratory system, a number of studies have been conducted to dismiss these claims. In fact, there are many health benefits to running in the cold:
😌 It can help prevent seasonal sadness: Sunlight exposure increases production of vitamin D, a key component of mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and is critical to a healthy immune system.
💪 It can boost your metabolism: Research suggests that drops in body heat by being out in the cold can activate a special tissue called ‘brown fat’, which in turn increases metabolism.
🧠It can reduce stress: As you repeatedly encounter cold weather with no life-threatening consequences, your body learns to tone down its stress response to the cold, resulting in fewer stress hormones overall.
The main danger when running in the cold is probably slipping, or traffic-related risks. In England, we never get that cold, but I would say that it is not something to treat lightly. Safeguard yourself and make sure you’re sufficiently prepared. It’s better to wear too much, than too little. Although annoying, you can always run with an extra layer around your waist if you get too hot. And the most important thing is how quickly your body will cool down following a run, so make sure a hot shower or warm, dry change of clothes is nearby.
If you are well-equipped and sensible in your choice of route, there is no real reason not to run, other than it being a bit unpleasant! Whilst we can run in snowy or cold conditions, it is key to recognise that these runs should be ‘maintenance miles’, rather than setting any time records. We are not running in perfect conditions, so likely slower anyway, and it is unsafe to be rushing around on icy, slippery ground.
💡Feeling inspired to embrace the cold and run outdoors? Sign up to the Bristol Run Series where you’ll gain access to expert training resources and meet like-minded others through our #WeAreBristol community!