How do you run in winter?

Hannibal Smith

....and don't say with one foot in front of the other :P

This is my first year running and in Jan i was running in the mornings so this is my first winter running in the evenings.

Three quarters of my route is fine, along well lit roads etc, but one quarter (about 1.5k) is along the side of a park. The railings run along the side for road safety (its beside a dual carriageway) so technically I'm running in a park, but it's beside a dual carriageway so is well it, but confined.

To add to it I have people in my ear telling me of all kinds of attacks in the area...but I'm not sure if they're true or just the usual crowd trying to turn me off going out.

Ive also noticed that there are a lot less joggers out than during the summer. So where does everyone go? Surely you don't stop for the winter?

So what does everyone else do?

● Do I stop running for the winter?
● Do I change route? (The attacks aren't located on my route btw and the route is fairly handy with only 1 pedestrian crossing)
● ignore the negative heads and uust keep going, using the park bit as my chance to speed up?
● other secret option everyone else seems to be doing?

Krusty_Clown

Lots of people stop running in winter-time, but they're the runners who don't make much progress. Stick with it. Buy another layer or two, if you need it, but make sure you have somewhere safe to run

dna_leri

Join a club and run with a group.

sideswipe

Hannibal Smith wrote: »

So what does everyone else do?

● Do I stop running for the winter?
● Do I change route? (The attacks aren't located on my route btw and the route is fairly handy with only 1 pedestrian crossing)
● ignore the negative heads and uust keep going, using the park bit as my chance to speed up?
● other secret option everyone else seems to be doing?

If it's the park your worried about can you do an out and back route on the 3/4 section that your happier with? You could mix up the pace a bit maybe do some reps so it keeps things interesting.
A club or running group would be a good option too as mentioned.



My other half is more of a walker, she bought one of these last year in the states!


ps I'm NOT recommending them.....I'm pretty sure they are highly illegal!!

Hannibal Smith

Yeah I wondered did people join clubs or something I couldn't imagine people gave up running for 6 months. Ive a 10k fun run coming up in a few weeks so I couldn't really stop.

The reversing back is actually a great idea. The park bit is kind of slap bang in the middle if my route. ..but if I ran back and up to the other side of the park it would actually add some distance too.

I got a lot of winter gear in lidl a few weeks ago so I think I'm sorted for tge weather. ..we shall see though

A club does make sense but I like throwing my runners on and going and I know I'll be back in half an hour. If I was to get into the car, drive to a club, wait for things to get going, go ob the run, ib the car and back...it would take a huge chunk out of my evening (im a right unsociable sod )

spurscormac

I much prefer running in winter, love night runs & track sessions under the lights.
I get into a good routine, and am usually much better shape from March to June.
When the summer kicks in, holidays and other stuff interferes with my training schedule, so my fitness level drops.

Think I need to set myself an autumn goal race to keep the focus over the summer.

robinph

Hannibal Smith wrote: »

A club does make sense but I like throwing my runners on and going and I know I'll be back in half an hour. If I was to get into the car, drive to a club, wait for things to get going, go ob the run, ib the car and back...it would take a huge chunk out of my evening (im a right unsociable sod )

Same here as far as getting annoyed with the time it takes with faffing about on club nights, which is why I'm not going along to all of the available club sessions, and if I did I would certainly get better. But I do make sure to go along to at least one session a week, keeps you honest and gets you out of the house. Give a club a try and see how you get on.

PaulieC

if you brought B.A. with you I'd imagine you'd be safe enough. I'd certainly pity the fools...

nerraw1111

Ah that first glimpse of the orange glow that bounces off the wet tarmac in winter from the street lights overhead. Not a soul around, all the summer joggers busily fattening up for the winter, not to emerge till Spring.

Night running will get a bit tiresome in a few weeks so my plan is to do recovery runs during lunch breaks.
Joining a club is an idea as you might be able to do a speed session on the track under floodlights at least once a week.

menoscemo

For me; the winter is always the time every year when I make ground on people who tend to hibernate for a few months.
I always get a few good results in Januray/February races when others are just coming back after a lyaoff. I always have my best marathons in Spring after winter training.
A few tips for Running in the winter:

• Get appropriate clothes for when it is really cold: Gloves, hat and maybe a running jacket or long sleeved top
• At the same stage don't overdress. Unless the temp is below 5c, you probably don't need more than 1 layer. I find a t-shirt and gloves/hat is almost always enough
• Don't make weather an excuse: If it's raining it's never as bad once you get going as you imagine before you get going.
• Running in fresh snow is great!!
• When dark it can be difficult to keep up a good tempo as you are afraid of footing, just get the miles in and forget about the pace.
• Invest in a head torch, you can run around deserted parks in the dark and it's great craic, also gives you more confidence.
• Try to make running a necessity: I like to run home from work and leave the car there, meaning I am forced to run into work the next morning regardless of potential excuses (weather etc). It's bright in the mornings too.
• Make good use of the bright hours at the weekend, get your long run done on sunday mornings; you can use parkruns on saturday mornings as speedwork if you are not in a club.

Tom Joad

PaulieC wrote: »

if you brought B.A. with you I'd imagine you'd be safe enough. I'd certainly pity the fools...

b*stard - just went and spat coffee on my keyboard

foralongtime

menoscemo wrote: »

You can run around deserted parks in the dark and it's great craic, also gives you more confidence.

I would **** bricks running around my local in the dark. It sounds terrifying. Might actually give it a go

As mentioned in the other thread, free Hi-Vis gear from the RSA. Mine was delivered on Tue. The arm bands are nuclear-level reflective.

Hannibal Smith

PaulieC wrote: »

if you brought B.A. with you I'd imagine you'd be safe enough. I'd certainly pity the fools...

He might even bring his van

Thanks for the replies folks. ..some great ideas, particularly the head light idea. ..I do have a high vis vest that i use but a light might be worth considering. Though I saw a guy last night with an armband light that might be better, may not be as annoying as a head light might be?

The weather doesn't put me off at all. I went out in some fierce weather in Jan and Feb and I actually don't mind the rain, I prefer it to the hot sun if that makes sense. ..its really more the personal safety issue. But I'll keep going as is for the moment until it becomes too quiet and then maybe I'll do a double back on myself as suggested.

menoscemo

foralongtime wrote: »

I would **** bricks running around my local in the dark. It sounds terrifying. Might actually give it a go

As mentioned in the other thread, free Hi-Vis gear from the RSA. Mine was delivered on Tue. The arm bands are nuclear-level reflective.

It's great craic as the other people are a lot more scared of you than you are of them, especially as they see a light approach. It's nice when running around in head torrch you can spot the all the rabbits eyes from afar.

Oops69

Don't park your car in the park though ,side window smashed on furze road in Phoenix park last week at 7 pm , stupid I know , but nothing stolen , just to give a heads up to Phoenix park winter runners

vitani

Oops69 wrote: »

Don't park your car in the park though ,side window smashed on furze road in Phoenix park last week at 7 pm , stupid I know , but nothing stolen , just to give a heads up to Phoenix park winter runners

Thanks for the heads up but dammit. I park there a couple of times a week and run straight to it after work. I was already getting wary enough with the dark evenings and the not so great lighting. Might have to work something else out.

PaulieC

menoscemo wrote: »

It's great craic as the other people are a lot more scared of you than you are of them, especially as they see a light approach. It's nice when running around in head torrch you can spot the all the rabbits eyes from afar.

and doggers

Oryx

On the safety aspect, don't ask for trouble using secluded routes, don't wear headphones, don't have an expensive phone strapped to your arm, and keep your wits about you. If necessary, do laps or repeats on a short route, or find a track you can use to do sessions on.

menoscemo

Hannibal Smith wrote: »

Thanks for the replies folks. ..some great ideas, particularly the head light idea. ..I do have a high vis vest that i use but a light might be worth considering. Though I saw a guy last night with an armband light that might be better, may not be as annoying as a head light might

I have never worn an armband light but I assume it is so people can see you? That would totally different to a headlight whose purpose us to light up the ground in front of you as you run. It means you can see everything in front of yourself though others will just see a beam of light approaching. I wouldn't wear a headlight on lit roads , a hi vis jacket is much better for the purpose of being seen.

Hannibal Smith

vitani wrote: »

Thanks for the heads up but dammit. I park there a couple of times a week and run straight to it after work. I was already getting wary enough with the dark evenings and the not so great lighting. Might have to work something else out.

You see...winter running has its hidden dilemmas!

Though I am concerned about people attacking me I've probably more chance of dying from those almost invisible retractable dog leads!!

Hannibal Smith

menoscemo wrote: »

I have never worn an armband light but I assume it is so people can see you? That would totally different to a headlight whose purpose us to light up the ground in front of you as you run. It means you can see everything in front of yourself though others will just seems a beam of light approaching. I wouldn't wear a headlight on lit roads , a hi vis jacket is much better for the purpose of being seen.

Ah right...got you now.

@oryx can you run as a non member on a track?

Oryx

Hannibal Smith wrote: »

Ah right...got you now.

@oryx can you run as a non member on a track?

Depends on the track I presume. The ones close to me are payg.

Hannibal Smith

Hannibal Smith wrote: »

Ive also noticed that there are a lot less joggers out than during the summer. So where does everyone go? Surely you don't stop for the winter?

I'm gone to a gym anyway, not given up...

Nothing beats running outside at night time though, it's lovely

foralongtime

bluewolf wrote: »

Nothing beats running outside at night time though, it's lovely

The best are those clear sky nights where the air is frozen and your breath billows out in clouds. It's like breathing cold mountain water. In a good way.

RacoonQueen

I wouldn't worry about running in parks at night. It's fine. You'll be safe, I'd much rather run through a dark park at 8pm than 6/7am tbh

menoscemo

RacoonQueen wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about running in parks at night. It's fine. You'll be safe, I'd much rather run through a dark park at 8pm than 6/7am tbh

Yes; all the tough little hardmen tend to stay indoor when it's dark and cold :pac:

Oops69

menoscemo wrote: »

Yes; all the tough little hardmen tend to stay indoor when it's dark and cold :pac:

Maybe so , but the little cowards can lurk in the shadows waiting to have a go at your car when you skip off on your run

pconn062

I love training in the winter, winter time is muck time! The best racing of the year happens in winter time.