By Winter is approaching fast and this means that the time for holiday feasts and celebration will also arrive as well. This certainly means that you will be spending a lot of time inside eating and sleeping. As lovely as that may sound, we need to remember that human beings are active creatures, just like other animals, and we depend on physical activity in order to stay in shape and be healthy. Therefore we have listed a couple of reasons why it is important to go for night runs during the winter as well as some tips and tricks on what to look after while exercising.
Warm up
During the winter, it is most important to work on your blood circulation. When we get up in the morning during the winter and go outside, we struggle with the cold because our circulation is slowed. The same goes for night runs. Night runs are crucial for increasing blood circulation and strengthening the immune system. We have to warm up before we go on night runs. Make sure to dress in layers and apply reflective tape for clothing in order to stay safe during the run. Before going out, you can try doing some simple cardio exercises. Additionally, it has been proven that yoga works even better for strengthening the immune system and warming up.
Wind protection
When you step outside after you have warmed up, it is important to keep your jog, at least for the first 15 minutes, straight towards the wind so that your body can get accustomed to the harsh weather. We recommend using some protection for your eyes if you chose to do so. When you have decided to return home, you should run in the same direction that the wind is blowing so that it hits your back and not the face, because you will get sweaty and you don’t want to catch a cold.
Get in touch with your inner-self
Running at night is a great way to relax from everyday stress and have some alone time to deal with your thoughts. Whether you are running through the streets or the park you will see that the evening hours are more quiet and peaceful. Running during evening hours can give you a sensation that you are running a bit faster than during the day because of the way that our eyes adapt to situations and environments. This sensation motivates a runner to run even further than he would usually do during the day. Therefore, you will enjoy this exercise longer and have more time to get in touch with yourself.
Special runs to try during the night
There are different running events you can choose, or use as inspiration to create your own. The Electric Run is typically held in London, Manchester, Cardiff, and other cities in the UK. These runs are 5 kilometers long and are usually followed by a program with lights and music in the streets. We Own the Night is a running event that is 10 km long and is organized all around Europe. Run in the Dark is organized in Dublin, Belfast, London and Manchester every year and is 5-10 km long. Mighty Deer Stalker is a hardcore run that is 10 km long and has a trail that passes through muddy regions and is considered to be harsh for many runners.
No matter if you are young or old, winter night runs should be something that you should try as a fun exercise or as boost for the immune system. Warm up before heading out, strap on some reflective tape for safety and get in shape for the winter holidays.
