Panda Ramblings, Winter Training, Dicussion topic, to share ideas.

windwalker

I need an Adventure
Joined
Dec 28, 2006
Messages
6,477
Fall is definitely in the air. It's much cooler especially in the mornings. The leaves are beginning to change colors and the Canadian Geese can be seen flying south. We are about to the end of the growing season and our lawns are going dormant. The world around us is preparing for the coming winter, which by all predictions will be a cold and wet one.

As adult athletes we need to prepare for winter as well, winter training. The long time runners, walkers and bikers have made peace with the season changes and just press on. For them it's just business as usual, just different scenery. But for those who are new to living a lifestyle that includes regular exercise, winter can be a problem.

To start with the days are shorter and it's harder to get yourself out the door when it's not only cold but dark as well. So the first hurdle is to get your motivation tuned up. You can do that by remembering all the reasons you started living a healthy lifestyle to begin with. Look at all the positive results you have seen so far. If you don't continue with your life training you will begin to lose your hard earned fitness.

This is an outstanding time to have a training buddy. When you have someone who is waiting for you, then you are more certain to get up and go. It also helps when you can help keep each other motivated. When you are freezing you nose off it nice to have someone to tell, whose nose is freezing off as well.

Winter means new warmer workout clothes. You don't have to spend a lot on it either. I would recommend 3 tech shirts with long sleeves, Target has the Champion brand that is very inexpensive. But every shoe company has decent stuff and a lot of specialty companies. I personally like the Nike clothes but can't wear their shoes. A couple of pair of running pants will be good and a lined tech material jacket should get you through the winter just fine. For me the most important article of winter gear is gloves. I have some nice tech material gloves that I wear on days that I won't be taking the gloves off. For races and days where it's going to be warming up while I'm out I wear the cheap brown cotton work gloves. I can just throw them down and go on in a race. Next most important for me and a top priority for some is a hat that will come down over your ears.

Winter is sunglasses time just as much as summer. Remember polycarbonate lens material, it's shatter resistant and light. The glasses will not just keep the sun out but just as important the cold wind which makes your eyes water.

Keep wearing the shoes you regularly train in, switching shoes will just as always cause problems. When your training shoes work for you don't worry about rain and snow. Your wet shoes will dry quicker than the knee problems you get, from the wrong shoes, will heal.

Good mental and physical preparation will make winter exercising as much fun and productive as summer training.

Thanks for reading.

Rambling Panda. :hippie:
 
Thanks Dave for all the time you spend on your Panda Ramblings, I love reading them. Is it January yet? Need a Panda Hug!!!
 
Thank you so much for posting this. I am finding it extremely difficult to get up and out of the house in the morning lately. Thanks for listing the Winter "Must Haves". Now I have to make a few purchases to hopeflly help me get motivate.

One question...any tips on what to wear on the face? Breathing in that cold air first thing is a KILLER!!!
 
Great idea Dave! and I'm right behind Kim waiting for Panda and Lady Erica hugs :)

Suzanne! The nose gets cold! I found at a local running store a sort of turtle neck thingy by Saucony. I did a quick search and here is a link at Dick's Sporting Goods. I know mine only comes up just to cover my nose. It's all soft and I typically have it down around my neck until I get to where the wind is coming stronger. Then able to pull it up then down again. Comfy :)

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2999890


Check out your local running stores and try one on, there are different styles. I think there was one where the piece over the nose was a bit stiffer and I didn't like that. So see what they have and what works for you.

A hat that covers the ears! Totally! I bought one of those alpine looking ones last year for fun and boy does that keep me happy! No more wind in the ears, no more fighting with my ear muffs.

Happy FALL training days too all!!! :) Beautiful views out there with the leaves changing :goodvibes
 

great idea dave! And i'm right behind kim waiting for panda and lady erica hugs :)

suzanne! The nose gets cold! I found at a local running store a sort of turtle neck thingy by saucony. I did a quick search and here is a link at dick's sporting goods. I know mine only comes up just to cover my nose. It's all soft and i typically have it down around my neck until i get to where the wind is coming stronger. Then able to pull it up then down again. Comfy :)

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productid=2999890


check out your local running stores and try one on, there are different styles. I think there was one where the piece over the nose was a bit stiffer and i didn't like that. So see what they have and what works for you.

A hat that covers the ears! Totally! I bought one of those alpine looking ones last year for fun and boy does that keep me happy! No more wind in the ears, no more fighting with my ear muffs.

Happy fall training days too all!!! :) beautiful views out there with the leaves changing :goodvibes

thank you diane!!
 
Stuffing your shoes with newspaper is a great way to get them to dry quickly.

Also remember that if it snows or gets icy where you run, you won't be able to go as fast as you normally do. And if you're going to run fast - be careful of slippery patches. My running store has treads with spikes that you can put onto your shoes but I never felt comfortable running in them.

I'd also say to watch for cars. A couple of times last winter I was nearly hit by drivers who had only cleared their windshield with their wipers and not removed the snow completely.
 
Thanks Dave.

On cloudy days, get one of those nifty blinking lights. I like the one in Red. Red means slow down and stop! LOL I clip it on my shoulder and it really does make vehicles slow down to figure out what's ahead!

I also have a bid on Yaktrax on Ebay!

For the head and nose and eyes! Get one of those hood things. It can cover your whole head and neck. It can leave just your eyes showing or just be a combo neck scarf and cap!
 












Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE






DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom