Running Outdoors in Winter
in Fit on the Side

Running Outdoors in Winter

trail running outdoors

Running outdoors. There’s nothing like leaving your home first thing in the morning when the world is slowly waking up and the sun is rising. As its rays hit the fresh gleaming white snow, you inhale deeply. The clean morning air enters your lungs, your muscles start pumping and the feeling is exhilarating. If only it were actually like this. While running outdoors (and general exercising for that matter) can and should be enjoyable, we all know that the reality doesn’t always match the dream. Especially when the mercury starts to dip. I’ve compiled a few tips to make it an easier experience.

running outdoors

Suit Up. Without overdoing it, make sure that you dress appropriately for the weather. Layers are very important. Also, choose moisture wicking fabrics.  I like to wear a tank top under a long sleeve shirt and then I put on a windbreaker over top. These items aren’t bulky and therefore give me the freedom to move. Then I reach for a pair of sweats or running tights.

– On my feet I usually wear my regular running shoes. I also look for warm woolen running socks with extra padding. They help keep my feet nice and toasty without giving me blisters.

– Of course I never leave home without my toque and a pair of gloves.  Frankly, I hate when my ears get cold so a hat is a necessity. As are gloves for that matter, since  running outdoors is never enjoyable when your extremities are freezing. There is a fine line between being warm and hot however, so make sure to remove or add layers accordingly.

Always wear sunnies. In winter, it is just as important to wear eye protection as it is in the summer months. The sun may not be as strong, but its reflection off the snow still has damaging UV rays.

Drink Up. Even though you don’t sweat as much in winter, you are still running outdoors so remember to drink plenty of fluids. For a regular daily run, water is usually your best choice.

Acclimate and start slowly. Your body needs to adjust to the lower temperatures so take your time. Also, it’s important to remember to breathe.  I focus on inhaling through my nose and exhaling through my mouth.

running outdoors

Warm up and cool down. These are probably the most important tips. Before running outdoors, I take a few minutes to warm up and loosen (no deep stretching)  my muscles indoors. It’s much easier and safer to do this prior to being in the cold. If there’s a treadmill nearby, I might do a 5 minute run. Otherwise some light jumping jacks, pushups and simply hopping around will do. Never forget to cool down. This is the time when your body slows down, your heart rate drops to normal levels and you can give your muscles the stretch they need to stay flexible, healthy and strong.

group running outdoors
While winter is still upon us take your workout outside and stay healthy, fit and beautiful!

Do you love running outdoors?

*For more on running outdoors and other exercise join me on twitter and instagram*
blogger
Some images courtesy of Filip Bojko ,  Grzegorz Paduch &  PiotrDymus.com

You Might Also Like

Your At Home Workout Routine

How to Stick With Your Diet When No One Wants You To

A Fool Proof Easy Way To Lose Weight

How To Curb Emotional Eating

How To Start Running

How To Stay Healthy For The Holidays

Health Fitness And My Thyroid

Beginners Guide To Gym Equipment Part 1

Why Do We Focus On Weight

Dealing With Knee Pain

Best Complimentary Activity For Your Workout.

Yoga VS Pilates Which One Is For You

Succeed At Working Out

Ultimate Weight Loss Guide

Toning VS Bulking Up

What You Should Know About Fitness

How To Workout In The Heat

Hit The Gym In Style

All About Your Knees

Why You Have To Focus While Exercising

Great Metabolism Myths

20 Minute Workout By FitWise

Diet Foods To Avoid

What To Look For In A Smoothie

How To Be A Better Athlete

Exercise Tips For Beginners

Losing Weight In Your 40s

How To Keep Gym Clothes Fresh

How To Prevent Common Running Injuries

How To Incorporate Exercise Into Everyday

How To Buy The Best Running Shoes

What To Eat Before A Party

How Important Is A Warmup

The Truth About Protein Shakes

How To Incorporate Pilates Into Everyday

Foods That Reduce Stress

Stay Fit And Healthy For The Holidays

5 Cardio Myths Debunked

11 Most Common Workout Mistakes

Best Travel Workout

Best Foods To Give You Energy

Can Food Really Burn Fat

How To Keep Your Diet On Track

Why Your Gym Clothes Matter

Eat Healthy Without Changing Your Entire Diet

Best Warmup For Your Workout

All About Pilates

How To Increase Your Endurance

How To Counteract Sitting All Day

Best Exercises If You Hate Exercise

The Importance Of Cross Training

What Happens To Your Body When You Stop Exercising

How To Deal With Muscle Cramps

8 Ways To Learn To Love Running

Can I Lose Weight And Still Eat Sweets

How To Come Back After An Injury

High Impact VS Low Impact

Your Must Do Morning Workout

What If I Hate The Gym

How To Love Your Body

How To Deal With Bloating

Home Gym Must Haves

Working Out Diet And Your Period

Frequently Asked Fitness Questions

How To Alleviate Back Pain

Cute Workout Gear For Every Body Shape

7 Healthy Morning Habits for Looking And Feeling Your Best

Sports Drinks VS Water

10 Easy Ways To Get More Fit

Urban Hiking The New Workout

Staying Fit When You Have No Time

When You Don’t Have Time To Workout

Best Exercises For A Desk Job

How To Make A Short Workout Count

Caffeine And Working Out

How To Become A Runner

Your Ultimate Running Guide

Killer Abs Ball Workout

Health Resolutions You Can Keep Without Trying

How To Choose The Best Running Shoes

How To Cut 500 Calories A Day Without Exercise

Diet And Exercise After 40

How To Have Energy After Lunch

Lean Greens Review

Why You Shouldn’t Weigh Yourself

Get Fit The Easy Way

How To Increase Flexibility

What Is Your Perfect Workout

Everything You Need To Be A Runner

Should You Exercise When You Are Sick

Shoulder Stretches

How Breathing Can Improve Your Workout

How To Maintain Your Weight

How To Maintain Weight Loss

No Gym Arm Workout

Are you Over Exercising

How To Maximize Your Gym Time

How To Strengthen Your Bones

At Home Quickstart Workout

5 Day Workout Plan Part 2

Top 10 Songs For The Gym

Which Style Of Yoga Is Best For You

Why You Are Doing Your Ab Workout All Wrong

5 Day Workout Plan Part 1

How To Easily Get Fit And Healthy

How To Feel Confident About Your Diet

How To Feel Confident When Working Out

What Is Pilates

How To Treat Sore Muscles

Why Is Exercise So Important

September Ab Challenge Week Four

How To Make Exercise A Habit

Muscle Imbalance And Back Pain

How To Detox Your Body Naturally

Post Workout Beauty Hacks

Why Should Women Lift Weights

6 Tips To Stop Bloating

Staying fit when it is cold outside

5 Stretches To Do Before Bed

Best Wrist Exercises For Writers

Fitness Terms You Should Know

The Truth About Abs

How To Feel Good About Your Body

How To Eat Healthy Without Trying

How To Ease Sciatic Pain

Why Do I Need To Stretch My Calves

Why You Need Fitness Goals

How To Buy Workout Clothes

Theraband Workout

Is Training Harder Better

Should I Use A Heart Rate Monitor

How Much Weight Can You Lose In A Month

How To Speed Up Weight Loss

September Ab Challenge Week Three

Wrist Exercises For Bloggers

Traveling With A Sensitive Stomach

Learn To Run For 30 Minutes

Fitness Fanatics Shopping Guide

How To Increase Your Bust Size

Why You Should Take A Dance Class Now

Why What You Wear To The Gym Matters

Best Stretches To Relieve Shoulder Tension

Best Stretches For Relaxation

Why You Are Not Losing Weight

Is Running Bad For Your Knees

How To Wear Athleisure

Best Recipes For Food Sensitivities

How To Get Your Diet Back On Track

Best Post Flight Stretches

Hip Strengthening Exercises

FitWise Straight Talk About Getting Fit And Healthy

Why Exercise Is Good For Your Skin

The Truth About Weight Loss

Ballet For Fitness: Is Back In Style

How To Stay Healthy In Winter

Get Fit While Watching TV

Best Stretches If You Sit At A Desk All Day

Must Do Morning Stretches

How To Relieve Joint Pain

The Basics Of Hip Stretches

Exercise And Your Skin

Working Out After 40

October Fashion Beauty And Fitness Picks

Pocket Fitness Guides

How To Stop Exercise Procrastination

How To Boost Your Metabolism

Pros And Cons Of The Elliptical

Why You Need To Cool Down Post Workout

What Is The Deal With All These Diets

The Importance Of Stretching In Style

5 Best Abdominal Exercises

September Ab Challenge Recap

Top 5 Fitness Posts of 2015

Best Stretches For Runners

How Creativity Can Improve Your Health

Best Exercises If You Do Manual Labour

How To Be Healthy While Traveling

How To Workout When It’s Hot

How To Stay Healthy While Traveling

Live Like You Are On Vacation

September Ab Challenge Week Two

How To Choose A Personal Trainer

What To Do Post Workout

My Gym Bag Essentials

The Only Diet You Need Is Balance

Best Exercises If You Are On Your Feet All Day

Easy Stretches For Stress Relief

Run Better With These Easy Tips

Easy Ways To Be A Healthier You

How To Get A Shapely Butt

How To Deal With A Bad Workout

Which Activities Count As Exercise

What To Do When You Plateau

A Beginners Guide To Gym Equipment Part 2

How To Be Healthy Without Trying

Foot And Ankle Exercises

Muscle Imbalance And Knee Pain

Muscle Imbalances And Upper Body Pain

How To Workout In The Morning

How To Workout And Not Hurt

Ballet Inspired Leg Workout

Why Should You Meditate

How To Feel Beautiful On The Inside and Outside

Natural Energy Drinks

Muscle Pain VS Injury

Best Gifts For The Fitness Lover

Never Have Motion Sickness Again

Underactive Thyroid And Weight Loss

Do Carbs Make You Fat

FitWise A Sneak Peek

Best Arm Exercises For Summer 2015

Why Is Sitting Too Much So Bad

Losing Weight In 2017

Tips On Working Out In Summer Months

Fitness Myths Debunked

Eat Carbs And Sweets And Still Lose Weight

7 Times It Is Okay To Skip A Workout

Your Guide To Killer Abs

4 Ways To Turn Your Walk Into A Workout

6 Best Exercises For Runners

Is CrossFit Right For You

Free Weights VS Machines

European Travel Italy

How To Improve Your Posture

Ultimate Foot Guide And How To Relieve Foot Pain

Your Summer Fitness Guide

Easy At Home Workout

Best Headphones For Working Out

Benefits Of Walking

Best Exercises To Tone Your Glutes

Eat Carbs And Lose Weight

Why Your Workout Suddenly Feels Hard

Tips On Getting And Staying Fit In 2016

Your Workout Motivation

How To Actually Lose Weight

5 Daily Habits That Hurt Your Health

Cold Weather And Muscle Pain

How To Lose Weight For Good

Diet And Fitness Tips You Need To Ignore

Killer Foam Roller Ab Workout

Morning Stretches True North Fitness Guide

Stretching Mistakes You Might Be Making

Do I Really Need To Workout

When To Listen To Your Body

How To Deal With Gaining Weight

The BS Around Diets

Best Low Impact Workouts

Just Go To The Gym

Talk Fitness With An Expert

Tips For Getting Back To The Gym

How To Pick The Best Running Shoes

September Ab Challenge Week One

20 Minute Workout From FitWise

What To Eat Pre And Post Workout

Treadmill Running Charts

How To Know If You Are Exercising Too Much

How To Always Start Your Day Off Right

Best Stretches Pre And Post Swim

Best Exercises For a Toned Back

Why Not Drinking Enough Water Can Make You Fat

Why Exercise Makes You Happy

Summer Health And Beauty

Everyone Can Learn To Love Exercise

How To Work With A Personal Trainer

Is being thin enough

23 Comments

  1. the running is a good sport! nice pics and post 🙂
    I posted a new article, I’d love to know your opinion
    would you like to pass from my blog?
    tr3ndygirl.com
    kiss

    1. Thanks! I was very lucky to use some amazing images.
      xo

  2. I should get better at running outdoors, the temperatures are not as bad this winter. So there is really no excuse.

    1. I’m telling myself the exact same thing every day!
      xo

  3. so good staying in shape outdoors despite the weather x
    http://www.vicariousLA.com

    1. Agreed! Although I’m thinking that in LA you don’t really have to worry about the cold. I didn’t when Iived in Vancouver….
      xo

  4. You’re a trooper to be running outside in the snow! I think both me and my puppy have gained at least 5 lbs being couch potatoes this season. lol.

    Cheers,
    Eileen | http://www.yesmissy.com

    1. Well it’s been kind of warm here…..
      xo

  5. Michi of Delphina Luxe

    Wow, go you !

    I find it so hard to get into the idea of running in cold weather. I did if for a while this winter but after a while I just couldn’t go on. Just hurts too much to breathe in the air.

    1. It’s really tough so I sometimes tie a scarf around my mouth..it really helps.
      xo

  6. Hi dear, nice blog you have here and great post, would you like to follow each other on BLOGLOVIN? if you decided to follow me please let me know so I can follow you back. xoxo

    http://www.love-joice.com

    1. Thanks for stopping by. I will drop by your site.
      xo

  7. I don’t like to run in cold weather… I prefere my tapis roulant!!!!
    Have a lovely weekend darling!!!!
    Kisses

    1. Oh I agree it’s not always fun….
      xo

  8. Love your post! 🙂

    1. Thank-you!
      xo

  9. So great <3 have a good week 🙂

    1. Thanks!
      xo

  10. Ah… I wish I loved running, but I hate it. especially in winter, when it’s definitely a no-no. In spring/summer though it’s OK. Great tips Caroline! xoxo

  11. loving this post! amazing winter you have
    Kisses from Miami,
    Borka
    http://www.chicfashionworld.com

    1. Thank you!! I guess you don’t really need to worry about running in winter.
      xo

  12. we love a good morning run! and luckily for us, it’s not exactly snowing where we are 😉
    xoxo

    1. Yeah, running outside when it’s warm is so much more fun!
      xo

Comments are closed.

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close