Although the term “Winter Wonderland” might suit the Lovely scenery that we get to witness through the cold season with the snow forming a white blanket All over the place, it can be a nightmare for runners. Their main and most justified worry is that they will lose your footing and break a bone. While running on a treadmill or cycling indoors are alternate choices, they don’t appeal to regular runners in any way! Here are a few short pointers to keep in mind while jogging through the cold:
Take measures to prevent losing your footing
Your shoes are necessary to take a solid grip on the hard ice and snow so that you can run with comfort, and yet provide comfort and stability like other training shoes. You can look up the process of making screw shoes that work properly on snowy grounds by going online. However, it is recommended not to attempt making shoes on your own, unless you are well-versed with the procedure or know someone who can make them for you. On the contrary, when winter sets in, run down to the local sports store as soon as and get a pair of specially made shoes that are considered for running purposes on slippery, snowy grounds.
Look for a clear path
Keep in mind that university and college pathways are cleared earlier than any other road since they have their in-house maintenance crew and don’t have to depend on the city as such. Their paths are for pedestrians mostly, which is why there are fewer automobiles and less traffic. Also, roads situated near schools will be plowed quickly so that teachers and students don’t face problems while entering the campus. Cemeteries and office parks are the next options for running during winter since the traffic is slow on snowy days and these roads are among the first to be plowed. The only problem is that you might have to run in continuous loops to get your mileage in. If you can track down any maintenance roads, where salt trucks and plows go back and forth, it will be an excellent stretch to run on as well.
Be careful while you are out
Always remember to run against traffic, so you can see what motor vehicle is coming towards you, judge if the driver can see you or not, and determine what they are doing or looking at. Sidewalks are sometimes not clear enough to run, which means you have to do so on the roads. Be careful when you come to intersections and crossroads when drivers take turns.
Keep yourself hydrated
Don’t be under the impression that since it is cold and dry outside, you should not drink much water because there is less sweating as compared to summer. Yet, you tend to lose quite a lot of fluid in winter as well, so it is necessary to continue your water intake after each run and also stay hydrated throughout the day.
Stay warm
Track the direction of the wind - on your way out, run with the wind in your face and during the second half of the route, ensure the wind is at your back. If you select to reverse this process, you will feel hot, sweaty, and tired during the first half and have to tolerate a very cold wind when you turn around. You should protect your skin for the period of winters, so use Vaseline on exposed parts of the skin such as the face. Vaseline is the best choice since it is waterproof and windproof as well, so the skin isn’t hurt in bitter winds. Purchase a jacket with wind-breaking features as it can care for the arms and upper body extremely warm.
Apply a mask
Did you know that allergies can be triggered by cold and dry air? Quite a few athletes wear a mask to avoid themselves from being exposed to winter air that can sometimes cause bronchial spasms, which ultimately stops the air from filling the lungs. A mask also supports warm the air before it comes into the lungs. You don’t have to buy a mask like a ninja or a robber - a light mask that filters the air will be sufficient.
The roadways are bound to get slushy and wet during winter so put the paper in your running shoes after you return. This stops the shoes from being spoiled as the paper absorbs the moisture and retains the structure of the shoe. Do not make the mistake of putting shoes in a dryer, oven or under a heater as they have a tendency to shrink the material and decrease shelf life.
Adapt your workout accordingly.
If there is heavy snowfall, try to avoid running on that day - it is unworthy slipping as well as falling just to keep a routine. Injuries sustained during winter have been known to last till springtime, so evaluate the conditions well before going out so you don't have to regret your decision later.
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