Cold weather and earlier nightfall can lead to more dangerous training runs.
Early this morning (530am) I headed out to my Total Core Class at Lelia Patterson Fitness Center. As I left my toasty bed and warm home I am reminded that winter is right around the corner. Then, later this evening as I started heading out on my run, the dim light of the setting sun echoed that reminder. With winter drawing near and the days getting shorter, it will be increasingly difficult to get your training time in.
For most of us working a 9-5, we will almost certainly be training in the dark. Our first priority must always be personal safety. Aside from the normal rules of safe running [never run alone, always run facing traffic, stretch, hydrate, warm up and cool down, etc…] we will want to add in:
carry a flashlight
wear reflective clothing
whenever possible run on well lit & paved roads
Always let a family member know your running route
Trail running is ill advised in low to no-light conditions
As for cold weather training, there is one major rule that I live by: LAYER UP (if you have it with you, you can always take it off, if you don’t have it, you cannot put it on.) The fastest way to end your season or even your coming year is to get a cold weather injury. Hypothermia, frostnip/frostbite, slips and falls on the ice, use your common sense especially when you train in temps below 60°f.
If you need help planning your winter training season, Carolina Gold Fitness can set you up with a program that is fun and safe in the cold, shortened days of winter.
Health And Fitness Resources
American College of Sports Medicine
The Gold Standard in Health and Fitness Research and Exercise Physiology.
National Strength & Conditioning Association
Optimizing Performance The National Strength and Conditioning Association is the world leader in delivering scientific, peer-reviewed research about strength and conditioning.
The American Council on Exercise
The American Council on Exercise® is a nonprofit organization committed to enriching quality of life through safe and effective exercise and physical activity. As America’s Authority on Fitness, ACE protects all segments of society against ineffective fit
President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition
The President Council’s mission is to engage, educate, and empower all Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and good nutrition.
Surgeon General
Lead healthier lives through better nutrition, regular physical activity, and improving communities to support healthy choices.
Endurance Sports Resources
USA Swimming
As the National Governing Body for the sport of swimming in the United States, USA Swimming is a 300,000-member service organization that promotes the culture of swimming by creating opportunities for swimmers and coaches of all backgrounds to participat
USA Triathlon
USA Triathlon is the sanctioning authority for more than 3,500 diverse events, ranging from grassroots to high-profile races nationwide. The organization works to create interest and participation in a variety of programs, including camps, clinics, races
