I know I’m not alone in my opinion that running on a treadmill is self-inflicted torture. Being stuck inside, surrounded by athletes, and not actually going anywhere generally cause my indoor runs to last about ten minutes.
This winter, instead of taking on the KAC treadmills, gather up the courage to run outside. I may be a little crazy, but as long as it is above twenty degrees and not icy, I’d rather face the cold than the treadmill. Running when it’s thirty degrees or so can be intimidating, but once you get out there it’s completely invigorating and a great stress-reliever. You’ll have a better time and get a better workout, so take these tips and go do!
The Gear
Getting the right clothing is the first step. Good quality winter running clothes are key, as is layering. When you first start, you’ll be freezing, but after some time I promise you will warm up. Some people advise dressing for twenty degrees warmer than the outside temperature, but I suggest simply layering so that you can shed your sweatshirt as you go. Throw it on a bench you know you’ll pass back by or pull a ten-year-old-at-Disney move and tie it around your waist. It may be dorky, but it does the job.
- Tops: Under Armour has some of the best long sleeve running shirts, perfect for wearing under a sweatshirt or wearing alone if it’s not too cold. Sweatshirts are necessary, whether you go for a sixty dollar Nike hoodie or your Lacrosse/Drama Club/insert high school extracurricular activity hoodie that you got in eleventh grade. You’ll want several options for a top layer, not just one sweatshirt. I love my quarter zip; it has a collar, giving collar up/collar down and zipped/unzipped combinations depending on how warm it gets. Different styles, different colors, and different materials are available at essentially any athletic clothing store.
- Bottoms: Luckily your legs warm up pretty quickly, but that doesn’t mean pulling on your Kenyon College sweats from the bookstore will suffice. You’d be surprised how thin and lacking in wind-resistance many sweatpants are. Splurge on a nice pair of running sweats, or go for leggings – fun ones or classic black leggings. They’re comfy and warm, and if you’re a little booty-self-conscious, just pull on a colorful pair of running shorts over them.
- Extra (but very necessary) goods: Gloves. Get good, legitimate running gloves. Please. Having ice-cold hands can definitely ruin a nice exercise. And the colder it gets, the more accessories you’ll need. I’m a big fan of my ear brazier, as my ears often stay coldest on a long run, but a hat works just as well.
Tips on Tips on Tips
- Aside from staying hydrated throughout the day, which you should all know by now, my first piece of advice is to get out and run right when you get back to your dorm after class or after a few hours in the library. If you sit in your room procrastinating on BuzzFeed or Twitter, you’ll lose momentum. The longer you put it off, the more you’ll dread venturing out into the cold, so don’t give yourself time to dread it. The hardest part of a run is getting off your bed and out the door. Once that’s done, you’re golden.
- The only reason you might want to linger in your room for a little longer is to do a warm up. Change into your running clothes, put on your shoes, and do some dynamic stretches (knee-highs, walking lunges, butt kicks, etc.) or light cardio (jumping jacks or running in place) in your room to get your blood circulating and muscles warmed. This not only prepares you take on the outside world by heating your body up in advance, but also prevents injury.
- Once you’re out there, if possible, start into the wind, leaving running against it for the way back when you’ve heated up. And don’t forget to switch up paths – take a right onto the trail one day, a left the next, and run through the small but cute neighborhoods of Gambier another day. Changing your route will keep things interesting. Just be sure to pay attention to street names!
Motivation
- The best way to motivate yourself on the run is to make sure you have a stellar playlist. There is nothing worse than hearing the wind rip through your music-less ears as you run on the barren, gray Kokosing Gap Trail. A strong set of songs will really help. Avoid anything slow (you will want to crawl into a hollow tree, snuggle with a friendly Snow White-esque owl, and sleep through winter) and anything about summer, which will only make you pine for the days of studying on Ransom Lawn and wading in the Kokosing with friends. Check out Her Campus Kenyon’s running playlist for ideas!
- Reward yourself with a big class of chocolate milk from Peirce on the way back to your dorm. Chocolate milk is one of the best post-workouts drinks. It boosts recovery, as it has the perfect carb/protein combo, and it not only rehydrates you but also replenishes vital nutrients that your body uses up exercising. It may sound strange, but trust me, after the first sip you’ll wonder why your coach brought Capri Suns and Gatorade instead of chocolate milk to your fourth-grade soccer games.
- If you really need an extra push of encouragement, listen to this kid’s inspirational speech before heading out into the cold!