Like it or not winter is coming. While running in the fall is much more enjoyable than running in the cold it doesn’t mean training in the winter has to be miserable. If you get the right gear and prepare you can easily improve your fitness in the next few months.
One of the things you should definitely invest in is a good pair of running gloves. Nothing is more miserable than trying to run when your fingers are freezing. It can ruin a PR attempt if you are racing and in training it can hold you back from your fullest potential. A good pair of gloves should be light and breathable. I like mine to be made out of dri-fit or any other breathable fabric.
Another item that you should consider is a warm hat to run in. Since a great deal of heat can escape out of your head a warm hat can make you feel a whole lot warmer. When I am looking for a hat I just want something that is nice and light. As long as it is comfortable and isn’t very heavy it can be a great hat to run in this winter.
The last item I think you should consider is warm socks. If you are running in the snow this winter this can be a must have. Your toes can get incredibly cold and wet and in order to keep them cozy you should get a thick pair of running socks. I know thorlo makes some great running socks. There socks are perfect. They are warm and can keep you dry. They usually make their socks thick too especially in the heel. If you want to keep your toes toasty I recommend getting a nice pair of socks to run in this winter.
In about a week I’ll add part 2 which gives you more ideas to run in the winter. Also, in case you don’t know where to find some of the items I have mentioned, head down to your local running store. They should have a nice selection of every thing I have talked about.
Posted in Equipment.
Tagged with Cold, Gloves, Hat, Hats, Running Clothing, Running Equipment, Running Gear, Running Gloves, Running Hat, Running in the Cold, Running in the Winter, Running Socks, Sock, Socks.
By From 0 to 26
– November 19, 2009
Almost every athlete is looking to add speed. After all no one complains about being too fast. Fortunately runners can easily build basic speed in just 5 minutes a day. The key is to do several strides a day after your run.
A stride is essentially just a 100 meter run at a faster pace then you normally run. It doesn’t have to be blazing fast just something around your mile pace. It won’t wear you out but it will make you faster. It will help you build a kick for the end of your race. By running a little faster every day you can maintain and improve your fast twitch muscle fibers.
I know the last thing you want to do after a run is to run some more but if you can avoid going home and run just 100 meters at a faster pace you can easily build more speed and run a faster 5k.
Posted in Training.
Tagged with 5k Training, Fast Running, Speed, Speed Training, Speed Work, Training.
By From 0 to 26
– November 17, 2009
I have written anything in a while but that could be because I have been running a ton lately. One of the best things I have been doing for the past month is racing and I have to recommend. If you have been running for a while and are beginning to lose the motivation you started with then you should try to racing.
I have found that when I have a race on Saturday I am much more motivated to run all week. It gives me something to look forward to and it provides me with another reason to get out and run for the week. If I am planning on doing a workout during the week it provides me with a way to plan my workout and run towards a goal. A race is also another great way to find a running partner, which is an important aspect of success.
Another great benefit of racing is that it gives you a way to judge your progress. If you race better than you did a few weeks ago it can reassure you that your training is successful. Also if you don’t race well then you need to make some adjustments.
There are plenty of places you can go to find a race near you. One of the best ways is to go to your local running store. They will usually have flyers for some local races that you can run. Another possibility is to check the website of running clubs in your area. They may have links and information on races. If those don’t work for you then you can simply check active.com. It is a website with a ton of info about sports and you can search for races near you. No matter what you can always find a race and when you get into a routine a race can provide you with great benefits.
Posted in Motivation, Racing.
Tagged with Goals, Marathon Training, Motivation, Racing, Road Races, Running Partners, Running Races.
By From 0 to 26
– November 15, 2009
In order to make running enjoyable you have to be comfortable. This isn’t an easy task for any runner but especially new runners. Running is hard enough on your body and joints but it can be even harder if you don’t have proper shoes, if you are chafing, and sweaty. Fortunately there is a whole industry that specializes in equipment to make running as pain-free as possible. 
The first thing any runner needs to do is get a good pair of shoes. It is important to go to a running store for these shoes because they will fit the shoe to your stride. A proper shoe will give you excellent support in your knees and cushion your legs. An improper or poor shoe will not provide the support and cushion your body needs. Bad shoes will increase the pain you feel in your legs.
Good running clothes can also help. Granted old socks, shirts, and shorts are certainly usable but you can be even more comfortable in some of the new athletic equipment. There are special new fabrics that are sometimes called dri-fit or other marketing names. These fabrics are designed to help your sweat evaporate keeping you cool and comfortable. This keeps your clothes from sticking to your body. Not having sweaty clothes will also cut down on chafing. Another advantage of clothes made from these fabrics is that they are very permeable to air. They don’t trap air in and will allow a breeze to past through the clothing and onto your skin. Clothes made from dri-fit or similar fabrics are the best thing to keep you comfortable.
Another good idea is to run when the weather is comfortable. You don’t want it to be too hot or too cold outside. This is important because you don’t want to be hot or cold when you are running. The perfect time to run is when it isn’t raining and the temperature is in the 60’s.
Your Shoes, your clothing, and the weather are all important if you want to run comfortably.
Posted in Motivation.
Tagged with Chafing, clothing, comfort, shoes, Weather.
By From 0 to 26
– September 6, 2009
One of the biggest reasons that people give up their quest to get fit is because they are running alone and lose motivation. One of the best ways to keep your motivation is to get a running partner and fortunately there are a bunch of great ways to get a running buddy.
- Get in Shape with a Friend. Before you start running try to find a running buddy. Someone else that needs to get in shape too is great person start running with. You can schedule what days and times you will run together and this will help keep both of you committed. You can always ask a friend to start running with you or you can ask your significant other. Running together multiple days a week is a perfect way to develop strong bonds with another person. Grow your friendship and get fit at the same time.
- Join a Running/Fitness Club. You might not know it but there are running and fitness clubs all over the place. You can easily find one near you. This is a great way to make friends and find people with similar interests in your area. They are almost always free to join too. A great place to find a local running club is to go to a running store near you and about a running club near by. Another option is to check out meetup.com. It is a website to help organizations find people that want to join them. This is a great alternative if you can’t motivate your friends to get off the couch or if they give up.
- Take the Family Pet. You probably know that you need to walk the family dog more. There is no reason why you can’t run and walk the dog at the same time. The dog will certainly enjoy getting out of the house more and when you have a dog in public everyone wants to say hi.
To help get fit find a running partner. It will keep you motivated and help you make friends. You wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t want to get in shape so find a running buddy and start your journey.
Posted in Motivation.
By From 0 to 26
– August 27, 2009
