Welcome to Winter. All your months spent complaining about the intense heat of summer, are now quickly being replaced with woes of wind, ice and cold.
Since we know running is mental, let’s reframe winter running in to the perfect time to exercise outdoors. All right perfect, might be a stretch, but here are some surprising reasons to get your run on outside this winter and it’s more than for great base building.
Thus far winter has been pretty kind compared to epic snowfalls last year, but with the shorter days and colder nights it’s often harder to get outdoors. If your morning or evening run just can’t be done outside, consider a short walk at lunch.
According to the American Chemical Society’s journal Environmental Science & Technology, as little as five minutes of exercise outside in winter can provide you with all the health benefits I’m about to share!
Here are just a few of the reasons you need to exercise outdoors this winter (at least sometimes, we know I love my treadmill!).
Faster Recovery
When you have an injury, what do you put on it? Ice! We know that a drop in temperature can actually speed muscle recovery by reducing inflammation, turns out this theory seems to apply to outdoor exercises as well based on a study in The Atlantic.
Take advantage of this recovery, by still doing your warm up the right way! My personal favorite tip is to warm up inside. I walk for a half mile before every run, so in the winter when that’s going to be awful I either walk on a treadmill when available or I do jumping jacks, burpees and dynamic moves to get the blood flowing so I can start the run ASAP.
Faster Paces with Less Effort
Minus any tricky footing, most speed records are set in the colder weather.
According to an extremely in depth study, the best race performances appear to happen around 40 degrees and for every 5 degree rise in temperature, performance drops by 2.7 seconds per mile. This was based on the top athletes, so it’s likely higher on the rest of us.
Not only might you feel it’s easier to run faster during the winter, but it could be the reason for so many spring PR‘s. It turns out that the shivering, the searing lungs, all that is training your body to use oxygen more efficiently!
Nature Heals
Researchers Rachel and Steven Kaplan found that being in nature resulted in a “restorative experience”. It offers a means of getting away from stressful situations, while green spaces with natural light and shadows can also put in you in a reflective mood making your more reflective and open to options to resolve your situation!
A few other awesome study results:
- Women who spent 6 hours in the woods over the course of two days had an increase in white blood cells, hello improved immunity (Tokyo’s Nippo Medical School)
- Nature provides a break from the stimulus of our daily lives, improving focus (Psychological Science)
- Walking in nature improves positive feelings and reduces levels of depression (University of Michigan)
Vitamin D for Mood and Energy
You need it, the sun provides it…you gotta get outside to absorb it. Per the above health perks of nature, one reason many believe it’s so good for our mood is Vitamin D.
A surprising number of people in the US are deficient, which can cause weight gain, moodiness, lowered immune system and inflammation. All things that are going to slow our great running!
Enhanced Calorie Burn
Your body is going to expend more energy attempting to raise your core temperature, which results in a higher calorie burn than an equal workout indoors. Additionally, though I hate to say it winter weather is also often accompanied by wind, which again requires more effort and can thus increase the burn.
“If you are making athletic-level effort — cycling hard, running at a training level — you are burning 10 to 40 percent more calories in the cold than you would in more temperate temperatures,” according to Jo Zimmerman at the University of Maryland.
Another surprising finding is that brown fat is activated in the cold, this is the good fat..the kind that burns off the fat you don’t want covering your hard earned muscles! Make though that this higher calorie burn means you could run through your glycogen faster and need fuel sooner.
Seriously if that’s not winter workout motivation after months of being surrounded by delicious homemade meals with friends and family…well then I’ve only got one left!
Silence
Last but not least, there’s something magical about being out in the quiet of an early morning winter run or even an afternoon run! We’re surrounding by tweeting phones and dinging emails, shutting all of that off and having a moment just to enjoy the silence is rejuvenating on many levels.
The benefits of exercising in the winter are so obvious, but I’ll be honest I still need the reminder when I look at the temps and start to think about all the necessary layers.
I’m very lucky that in the winter I can push my runs a bit until the sun comes out, which mentally makes me believe it’s warmer! Otherwise, I’m no stranger to doing speed workouts or long runs on the treadmill with a smile because darn it, I’m still running!
How often do you get outside in the winter?
Need a little more help? Checkout this Winter Maintenance Plan for runners >>
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wendy says
I run outside all winter long. In fact, the only thing that keeps me inside is ice. The cold doesn't bother me much, because once I start moving, I don't really feel it. I need the natural light to keep SAD at bay. I will admit to doing my speedwork inside on the mill, tho, because it's hard to hit consistent paces in the bitter cold.
My recent post Running with the devil
Simeon Krastev says
I love training outside during the winter. The colder the weather is the better I feel. The only struggle I have is getting past the mental barrier that it's cold outside but once I get out I love it. Lovely article by the way.
Greetings,
Simeon
RunToTheFinish says
I couldn't agree more…well up to a certain point the below freezing takes me a little longer to love.
My recent post Untapped Motivation To Exercise Outside in Winter
@PrettyLilGrub says
I haven't been running this winter due to injury but I'm due to come back soon. The first couple of times are always tough to drag myself outside but once I do, I actually really enjoy winter running.
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RunToTheFinish says
Absolutely! I think we have a worse perception of how it's going to feel when we haven't done it in awhile. Hope your recover keeps going well!
My recent post Untapped Motivation To Exercise Outside in Winter
youngandrungry says
Amanda, I absolutely love this! I hate the treadmill so I avoid it literally at all cost and people tell me I'm crazy. But if you can still run outside in Colorado, I think I'm good to go since I'm way further south!
My recent post Running and Whole30
RunToTheFinish says
Well I won't lie there is a lot of morning treadmill running happening here because I can't do a feels like around 0 just yet, but I am trying to get out in the afternoons!
My recent post Untapped Motivation To Exercise Outside in Winter
Jodi says
I swear this is part of why I have been sick this summer and winter…I just haven't been outside running near as much as the last few years!!!
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50by25laura says
I have been SO lazy about running outside because I don't feel like dealing with the snow on some sidewalks. (Okay, fine, mine is included in that!) But hopefully will get on some running and snowshoeing adventures soon!
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RunToTheFinish says
I am 100% terrified of slipping on the ice, so I'm doing a lot of mill runs when it snows…but really and truly getting out in the afternoons for at least a walk! I can't WAIT for us to snowshoe!!!
My recent post Untapped Motivation To Exercise Outside in Winter
@Discoveringme2 says
I run throughout the winter and I live in VT. It may decrease from 4 to 5 running days down to 3, but I still get out there. I make sure I dress right and I have an excellent pair of running shoes (Salomon Speedcross 3) that keep me standing on my runs. PS…I hate winter…and I live in VT! :)
RunToTheFinish says
I'm still figuring out what shoes I"ll like best for winter running, thanks for the tip!
My recent post Untapped Motivation To Exercise Outside in Winter
dlbecker19902015 says
Great post! I swear the hardest thing about running in the winter is just showing up. I struggle the most getting dressed and getting into my car then once I'm running I LOVE the cooler temperatures. I refuse to run on the treadmill…NOPE! I can barley run a mile without getting bored.
thisrunnersrecipes says
I love winter running! I often think that the cold fresh air is so good for beating winter colds – gyms just have stuffy air and lots of germs! I used to use the treadmill all the time because we'd be snowed into the house for days and there was always ice, so this year I'm making the most of winter running and getting outside whenever I can.
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Karen says
LOVE your new page. I've been watching on FB and email but haven't stopped by your actual page in a while – love the "Let The Miles Change You" branding! Oh, and winter running… The dark cuts me, but I've made peace with it and get outside when it's not icy. Speaking of which… bedtime! Thanks for making me look forward to tomorrow morning!
RunToTheFinish says
Thanks for coming back Karen :)
My recent post Untapped Motivation To Exercise Outside in Winter
Live from La Quinta says
I can't imagine running regularly in the snow. I complain when it's in the 30s here in the desert (which it is surprisingly often). Especially after moving from Florida. Though, I love the outdoors (and I've made it through many hot, miserable summers here), so I'd probably follow your advice and get outside, cold or not.
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Janelle says
I always felt like I ran faster in the folder weather but I had no idea about the improved recovery or calorie/fat burn – so cool!
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ruralrunningredhead says
I train outside on weekends, but weekdays I'm generally on the treadmill. I run alone, and darkness +ice + cars + my natural clumsiness is a recipe for injury. Also, I had to giggle at the line in your e-mail about the lack of wind in Colorado. Just wait a couple of months!
My recent post Estes Park Weekend Getaway
RunToTheFinish says
I agree my morning runs right now are all treadmill for safety. Ok I gotta go read your Estess park write up because I want to get up there!! And I'll pretend I didn't read that about wind :)
My recent post Untapped Motivation To Exercise Outside in Winter
luckythirteenrunning says
I also moved from a warmer to colder climate recently and frankly, the “bad” weather is such a relief for running. I do run indoors once a week but nothing can replace outdoor running. And there’s SO much gear to help with the chill. Plus after about 10 minutes, none of it is needed.
katemovingforward1234 says
I'm always a little nervous about slipping on uncleared roads or sidewalks, but I love walking or running outside in the winter! It's good to just get out and clear your head!
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@joebski says
I actually prefer to run outside in most any type of weather, except Ice which can be dangerous. I especially love running outside when it is snowing, tt can be so peacefully and enjoyable. I recently moved to Boston from NJ and I am really loving the fact that there are actually hills to run here in Boston. Great article Thanks.
Laura - Chronicles of Passion says
Here's to outdoor winter running and all the benefits and fun. The snow is here now in full force and I've been loving every minute of it out on the trails in runners:) Hope your enjoying it just as much!
Kimberly Hatting says
I’m an Iowa girl, and I run outside all year-long as well. I much prefer summer, but winter has its own little nuances, too…like the crisp air and the tranquility of a bright moon reflecting on the snow. Let’s not forget, the mid-day sun turning all of that snow into a sea of glittering sparkles…. ;-) The wind is the deal breaker, if any, but I avoid my treadmill at (almost) all costs.
Nina says
I am nit sure I will be running this winter with a newborn and all but my girl and I will definitely be strolling around and maybe hiking a bit, hopefully getting in shape for spring runs. You just gave me extra reasons to do it!
Lee says
Hi! I love outdoor running so much and miss it in the winter, here in central Canada our winters are -15 to -30 at times. Much too cold for me
I just invested in a great treadmill I’ll be using for most of the winter.
I’m also terrified of slipping and injuring myself in the snow. Any good footwear to suggest I would appreciate!
Thanks so much for all the great info!
xo from Canada
amanda says
That’s one of my fears too!! Here’s my tips on running on ice! https://www.runtothefinish.com/running-on-ice-tips/
Destiny Jamie says
Great Tips Amanda. We also get a lot of benefit from a Fat Melter program we like: https://fatdecimator927579671.wordpress.com/
Alexis says
These tips are fantastic! This winter I switched my workouts to the afternoon so I could run in the warmest part of the day (usually I’m a morning runner). I’ve found that wearing the appropriate layers, warming up inside before stepping out the door, and then taking my wet clothes off and stepping in a hot shower as soon as I get back help to keep me from getting cold. Getting cold=not enjoying outdoor running. I love getting outside wayyy more than running on the treadmill though!
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Michael Taricani says
Winter running is my favorite. I’m on a run streak and make sure I get out everyday. Storms and extreme wind chills don’t bother me but the best is a quiet run during a light snowfall. Nothing better.
Laura Johns says
I was looking at a blog post about how treadmill running can help (for when it’s too icy outside). When I run on the treadmill I set my garmin to treadmill run, but the pace my watch says is always slower than what the treadmill says. Have you had that problem? Would the treadmill pace be the accurate one?
amanda says
Yup the Garmin won’t ever be accurate on the treadmill, go with what the machine says.