When you run in the cold, you increase the risk of getting an injury either through your muscle’s inflexibility and responsiveness, or being exposed to elements such as ice and snow.
You also want to keep illness away.
What should you do to run effectively in the cold?
Wrap up in the right running gear for the cold.
You need to keep all areas on your body warm. Your joints, your muscles, your hands, your feet, neck, torso and head.
Wear thermals to increase your body’s temperature and wear warm leggings that will increase the body temperature for your muscles.
You want to make sure your body’s temperature remains elevated while you are running.
When you commence your run, your heart rate will increase your body’s temperature, but you won’t really start to feel the blood pumping warmly around the body for at least 10 minutes into your run.
Always keep your body moving.
Due to the extreme temperatures that you will be facing, try to keep your body moving. Slow down, but don’t stop. Keep your muscles warm at all times.
Stretch well.
You will be more susceptible to injury when your body is cold. Stretch well before and even during your run.
Increase the intensity progressively.
Don’t go out with all your guns blazing. Start with a steady pace for 10 minutes until your body is warm. Once it is warm, increase the pace.
