According to
The British Nutrition Foundation a typical Christmas dinner clocks up close to
1500 calories, so it’s hardly surprising many of us will be turning to sports in
the New Year to ‘offset’ our excess festive calories. One of the cheapest and
most effective forms of exercise that gets you outdoors as well is running. The
average runner will run off more than 600 calories in one hour - all you need
is some decent running clothes,
a good pair of trainers and a positive mental attitude to brave the winter
weather!
But if you’re thinking of
running your way into the New Year, don’t forget to read these safety tips for
running in winter first.
Wear high viz clothing
Be seen or be, well, squashed potentially. As the sun sets before
5.30pm in January and most of February, it’s likely you’ll be running in the
dark quite often during these months and it’s important other road users can
see you out of the corner of their eyes to avoid nasty accidents. Although most
sports shoes and some running clothing can contain reflective parts, high viz
clothing really is a must if you want to be seen to be safe. There are a lot of
choices on the market now and not all high viz items are garish yellow! Try the
Ron Hill Windlite jacket which is available in pink.
Don’t be a victim
Running alone in the dark brings another potential danger of
setting yourself up as a victim to malicious individuals. For that reason, try
to run with a buddy, tell someone when and where you are running, vary your
routes and avoid deserted areas. Taking a mobile phone and some money is always
a good idea too, in case you need to be picked up or take a bus home.
Stay warm and dry
Layering your running clothing is key in winter, as it means
you can start fully clothed and take off layers to avoid sweating too much and
losing vital body heat. You’ll warm up quite quickly, so if you’re leaving the
house toasty warm, you’ve probably got too much on – it’s best to start off
feeling slightly chilly. A long-sleeved running top and running tights topped
off with a wind-proof running jacket, hat and gloves make for a good winter
running wardrobe. Go for light-weight, breathable, windproof and waterproof fabrics
that wick moisture away from your body. Running gear specialist Brett Bannister
from SportsShoes.com says:
“Remember, you’ll need extra motivation in
winter, so getting this right will give you that extra push. The hardest bit is
getting yourself outside of your warm and toasty indoor environment, but once
you’ve done it, you’ll never come back feeling worse.”
Beware of snow and ice
Although
running in the snow can be a magical experience, beware of the potential
hazards lurking underneath. Opt for fresher, softer snow and avoid anything too
hard-packed or icy. While running outside has more mood-boosting value than
indoor exercise, you can weather-proof your winter running by investing in a
treadmill. You can buy a decent one for around £100 from eBay, so if you have
the space this may be a worthy investment!
And for your
winter running wardrobe, the January sales couldn’t have come at a better time.
SportsShoes.com for example currently has
an epic sale on with items up to 70% off, from high viz items to running
clothing and men and women’s running
shoes. Now you really don’t have an excuse not to get running …
Disclaimer: Dime-Co.Com is an online information article and video article network. All articles, video articles, comments, and other features herein are for informational purposes only and are provided "as is" without warranties, representations or guarantees of any kind. The views and opinions expressed in an article, comments, links or blogs are the author's own, and not necessarily those of dime-co.com's owners. For full disclaimer, please read our TOS.
