Keep the winter blues at bay, strengthen your runner’s resilience, enjoy crisp winter mornings and build a solid aerobic base for Spring racing. Here’s the complete guide to keeping winter running wonderful

You know that you’ll feel better when it’s done. You understand that the challenges of shorter days, darker evenings, tough weather and even safety considerations all help to make you a stronger and more resilient runner. But it can still feel hard to motivate yourself to go out the door when it’s dark, cold, wet and windy and your friends and family are curling up on the couch watching Netflix. In case you needed reminding, winter is a fantastic time to get outside and do what you love. Embracing the elements, living your healthy life when others are hibernating reaps so many rewards – here’s our complete guide to loving, and getting the most from, your winter running.

You don’t need willpower. Just be prepared!

Resorting to willpower is not the way to get out and run in winter. “Willpower is the energy version of baked beans,” says professor Ian Taylor. “It sits at the back of the cupboard and is used in emergency situations, when you’ve run out of other food,” he explains. “Instead of tapping into willpower, try to fi nd the easiest solution. Running in the dark is hard work and not everyone likes it. If that includes you, try to fi t runs in during the day,” he suggests.

CHECK IN WITH YOUR RUNNING ‘WHY?’

Words Fiona Bugler

There are lots of brilliant reasons why running in winter is a good idea. From topping up vitamin D levels, keeping SAD at bay, and building up a solid base of miles for spring and summer fitness. Take some time to remember the reasons why running is so important to you, and why winter running is so great. Finding out your ‘why’ was made popular by Simon Sinek, a US-based marketeer, but it’s become part of popular parlance and is used in memes, and quotes. Running is something that can add so much to our lives – a strong body, an optimistic outlook, a social life, a place to see our goals play out – and just like anything else you do, understanding what it means to you can be motivating and uplifting (and can make getting out the door in bad weather easier). Psychology professor Ian Taylor, from Loughborough university is an expert in motivation: “Be conscious to ask yourself what it is you enjoy about running,” he says. “Don’t listen to what others say, make up your own rules. Some like running because it’s a way to be sociable, others because it’s time on their own. Find out what works for you,” he adds.