Winter parkrunning is not an activity exclusively for hardy souls – anyone can walk, jog, run, and volunteer with the right preparation and motivation.
On blog.parkrun.com, five tips are provided that can help newcomers and veterans alike on your way:
1. Embrace the elements and prepare accordingly
Some essentials to carry with you in your bag or leave in the vehicle are a pair of warm, dry socks to put on afterwards (if running in wet conditions); a pair of gloves to wear before, during or after your parkrun; a waterproof or windproof top (depending on the conditions); and a spare barcode in case yours gets soggy when it rains.
2. Keep yourself hydrated
Even on the gloomiest of mornings, you will still sweat whilst walking, jogging, and running. Have a bottle of water with you to ensure you stay hydrated before and after your parkrun.
Once you have had your barcode scanned, nothing beats having a cup of something hot to warm yourself up. You could even be ultra-prepared and take a flask with you.
3. Dress appropriately
The beauty of parkrun is you can wear whatever you like. Still, there are a few items that can keep you warm:
- Base layers: Wearing a sweat-wicking base layer is a brilliant way to keep yourself warm and a way to regulate your temperature.
- Tights: The benefit of tights compared to traditional tracksuit bottoms is that they are much lighter and stretchable, meaning less restriction as you move.
- Beanies: Compared to a woolly hat, beanies are a really great way to keep your head and ears warm whether you are walking, running, or volunteering, especially after parkrun.
4. Keep moving
Standing around for too long in the cold can make your feet feel like blocks of ice. Try to keep moving by going for a walk or a jog before the pre-run briefing. It will get the blood flowing and warm up your toes and muscles, whilst helping to reducing the risk of injury.
5. Layer up afterwards
In case your clothes are damp and sweaty, make sure you have something warm and dry to put on once you have finished. If in doubt as to how many layers you will need afterwards, it is always best to have one more than you think.
blog.parkrun.com
