Don’t hibernate, run!

I am hanging up my sneakers until spring. I don’t like being cold.
I will run around the indoor track or on the treadmill.
I don’t want to fall on my butt. 

Oh I have been there. Everyone struggles a bit that first snowy, cold run. It only takes one run to keep you in the great outdoors during the cold winter months.

Running outdoors in the winter has so many benefits both physically and mentally. Not only you maintain your endurance and keep your running base, your lungs get to breath in fresh air. If you’re stuck inside in a smelly gym or track, what exactly do you think you will be inhaling?

Running outside can fight Seasonal Affective Disorder. I tend to get down when the seasons change – lack of sunshine – but after a good run with friends I feel amazing. Now can light box do that?

Oh the simple beauty of frozen lake or freshly fallen snow. When you’re running outside you can truly appreciate Mother Nature in all her glory.

Beautiful skies. Beautiful trees.

You don’t have to gain 10 pounds in the winter. Running will keep your calories at bay. Get outside.

My goals in the winter are simply to be warm and maintain my endurance. I dial down my mileage and start running  by time. This works for me because you never know what’s outside when you wake up at 7 a.m. for a long run.

Urban legend has it that if you run outside all winter, you will set a new PR in your first race of the season. Now isn’t that reason enough to run outdoors this winter?