Get out the thermals! Running in the wintertime is exhilarating and will keep you healthy. These are 8 reasons not to let your running shoes hibernate this winter.
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Calorie Burning
You can run faster in cooler weather because when there’s less heat stress, your stays cooler and can move more effectively with fewer resources. That in turn produces more calorie burn.
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Weight Loss Benefits
It’s human nature to eat more in the winter and to move less. Running is free, burns calories, and can be exhilarating. Get moving!
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No Humidity
Forget the sticky, sweating, clinging clothes of humid summer days. Many runners find it more appealing to run in the wintertime because the air is drier.
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Mood Enhancement
Beat the winter blahs. Being outside increases your intake of Vitamin D – this is known to fight off seasonal affective disorder. Running and other exercise helps to decrease moodiness and irritability.
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Less Foot Traffic
Where is everyone? Inside drinking cocoa? For those dedicated enough to run in the winter, you’ll find that the footpaths and roadways are less crowded. This can make running in winter more appealing.
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Heart Health
Running in cold temperatures can increase your cardiovascular endurance, making your heart muscle even stronger. A stronger heart preps your body for future workouts and helps to diminish overall stress levels.
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Good Exercise Habits
Winter runners get to know the effectiveness of a warm-up and cool-down routine. It’s imperative before a winter run to warm up, limber up, and do pre-running stretches. This reinforces overall good exercise habits and prevents tears, sprains, twists and other painful injuries throughout the entire year.
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Increase Tolerance
Running in the winter can drive your fitness routine to the next level. Subjecting your body to the outside elements will increase your body’s overall endurance and resilience. Running when the temperature is just above freezing (32 degrees F) will increase your pace per mile by 1 to 2 percent!
Ready to run? Just be careful not to take unnecessary risks when it comes to dangerous conditions such as slippery sidewalks, frostbite or hypothermia. Dress appropriately and enjoy wintertime.