fbpx Winter | Wildrunner

Winter

Winter Running Tips and Tricks

In most parts of South Africa, winter is the most beautiful time to hit the trails. Waterfalls, storm chasing, abundant plant life and good old puddle jumping are usually all the motivation we need to head to our favourite trail heads. But for those who are new to the idea of training through the cold months, here's some advice and inspiration to nail the season ahead.

Shorter, Faster

Hypothermia, How to prevent it, spot it, and treat it.

Winter on the trails will result in added exposure to the elements, and weather conditions can change rapidly. Hypothermia is a scary word bandied about regularly by mountain runners and race directors, but would you know how to spot it, or treat it, if you or a member of your crew showed the signs?

Essentially, hypothermia is caused by a combination of cold and fatigue. Long periods of time in low temperatures with insufficient protection against wind, cold or rain can be deadly. Your core body temperature drops rapidly when you slow or stop, even for a brief while.

Winter Running Tips

The hardest part about running in winter is getting out the front door. Once you’ve conquered that hurdle, the rest is easy(ish). Here are our top 5 tips on how to turn the chilly months in to your favourite running months.

1.The Buddy System

Motivation is everything, as is accountability. Arrange to meet a group or a like-minded friend and you’ll be less likely to flick snooze and hide below the duvet. Tell yourself that you just need to be out there for 5 minutes, you can always turn back. Most times, we keep going.