Running in the snow: Why is worth it and recommended trainings?

Running in the snow ? Are you crazy ? This is what you will probably hear from most people. Weather temperature went below 0 degree since few days here and there is snow everywhere. Most people will see that as reason to stay home and not go for running. However, it is representing great opportunities for you not only for your body but also your mind.

So why is it worth it ?

There are many reasons, from the various resources you can find, but overall there is a tendency to agee on those key ones:

Boost your immune system and increase your aerobic activity
Cold weather make you feel stronger and you burn more calories that you think
Leaves you a higher sens of achievement compared to running on treadmill indoor cannot give you
Revs up your metabolism and help change in your body composition, which will make you over time more resistant and fit
Fight against feeling you sad and help even further in fight with low mood, anxiety and depression
Obviously, prevent winter/holiday weight gain
considering the terrain which can be sliding or difficult, your awareness and your feet and propulsion improve over time
Heart rate is lower than in warm temperature, which will make you less tired in the end of the run. So that mean it is a good opportunity to increase speed and do repetition workouts.
Your mind and awareness of weather low temperature, will help you to go deeper in your inner motivation to keep on running

Recommended training activities based on temperature ranges

0 to minus 10 degrees C (32 to 14F): No restrictions. Just ensure to stay hydrated during your run and don’t let yourself cool down
Minus 10 to minus 20 degrees C (14 to -4 F): Maximum of about one and a half hours. Protect your respiratory tract with a scarf and drink a lot.
Minus 20 to minus 25 degrees C (-4 to -13 F): Only train if necessary and if so, keep it short. Maximum 1 hour. Again make sure you wear a scarf and drink a lot.
Below minus 25 degrees C (below -13 F): Don’t go outside and have a break. If you really want to run or exercise, do it indoors.

What about you ? Have you tried it ? Tell us what you think and sign up for our newsletter

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