We all know that running in winter comes with its own unique challenges, from dark mornings and icy pavements to rainy evenings and chilly winds. But just because the days are shorter and the temperatures lower doesn’t mean your training has to suffer.
At realbuzz, we’ve helped thousands of runners stay consistent all year round, and we know that the right approach can make all the difference. That’s why we’ve teamed up with our official training partner, Runna, to bring you top tips for keeping your runs safe, effective, and enjoyable even in the coldest and darkest months.
From staying motivated to layering effectively and planning smart recovery, these strategies will help you continue building fitness and chasing your goals no matter the weather. Here’s how you can beat those winter blues and stay on track with your training…
Having an event in the diary to work towards gives you a reason to resist the temptation to snooze the alarm clock and fight the elements first thing.
Pushing yourself through a savage interval workout is never easy, especially when you're not quite sure what you are training for. So find an event for the early Spring or even one over the Winter to give yourself a reason to grind it out with those tough sessions.
Explore realbuzz’s running events and find the perfect one for you.
Having someone to hold you accountable or even just keep you company is so important in the winter months! If you plan to go out on a run with a friend and put a date and a time in the diary, then you can no longer work your way out of doing that run as you won't only be letting yourself down, you will be letting your buddy down too.
Even if your friends won't run with you, you can still tell a friend about the run you are planning to do. This will make you more likely to go out on that run.
No one likes to go out running when they know their fingers are going to freeze and their running top will get soaked through. Having proper running kit to keep you dry and warm through the winter is imperative.
Invest in a good pair of gloves and maybe even some warmer socks. Having a few lightweight waterproof layers is really useful too as you never know when you will be caught in a downpour!
If you don't want to spend too much time running around on the cold and wet roads in winter you can swap some of your running training time out for cross training. Activities such as swimming, cycling and football all help keep your fitness levels up and you may find it fun to switch everything up a little.
Following a plan helps you to keep on track with your training. This is because following a plan means you don't have to think about how far and what sort of run to do - the work is done for you. This will keep you on track with your training so that when summer rolls around again, you are ready to set all new PB's.
Running in winter doesn’t have to be daunting. With the right mindset, preparation, and support, you can stay on track and keep improving your fitness, even when it’s cold and dark outside.
Visit our events page to find a charity race to keep you motivated this winter, and remember that all realbuzz runners get two weeks free access to Runna, our official training partner, to help you plan, train, and recover with confidence.
Let’s turn those frosty mornings into strong, rewarding miles!
Explore charity races this winter with realbuzz