windwalker
I need an Adventure
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2006
- Messages
- 6,477
Winterizing
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 as well, for 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 outside 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 healthy. Look at all the positive results you have seen so far. If you don't continue 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 with you, someone whose nose is freezing off as well.
Winter means new warmer workout clothes. You don't have to spend a lot on them either. I recommend layering with tech shirts. Every shoe company and a lot of specialty companies have decent stuff. 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. But 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. Another important item is a tech material cap. On those really cold days a watch cap that will come down over your ears is wonderful.
Winter is sunglasses time just as much as summer. Remember polycarbonate lens material, it's shatter resistant and light. The glasses will not only help with the glare but just as important the cold wind which makes your eyes water.
Good mental and physical preparation will make winter exercising as much fun and productive as summer training. When you train through the winter you are ready for the spring racing season as well.
Thanks for reading.
Dave
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 as well, for 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 outside 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 healthy. Look at all the positive results you have seen so far. If you don't continue 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 with you, someone whose nose is freezing off as well.
Winter means new warmer workout clothes. You don't have to spend a lot on them either. I recommend layering with tech shirts. Every shoe company and a lot of specialty companies have decent stuff. 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. But 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. Another important item is a tech material cap. On those really cold days a watch cap that will come down over your ears is wonderful.
Winter is sunglasses time just as much as summer. Remember polycarbonate lens material, it's shatter resistant and light. The glasses will not only help with the glare but just as important the cold wind which makes your eyes water.
Good mental and physical preparation will make winter exercising as much fun and productive as summer training. When you train through the winter you are ready for the spring racing season as well.
Thanks for reading.
Dave
