The coffee chains have rolled out their Christmas cups. The shops are full of festive knitwear. I’ve had to de-ice my car windscreen twice this week. It’s officially winter.
I may not be a fan of the dark nights, but I really love running in cold weather. It means I keep moving – it’s too cold to stop.
The biggest decision is what to wear – too little and you freeze – too much and you are overheating 2 miles. When you run your body temperature is around 10 degrees higher than the temperature outside. So if it’s 10 degrees outside, it feels like 20 degrees on a run, 5 degrees outside, 15 degrees on a run and so on.
Living in the UK, the weather is pretty unpredictable. This is where layering comes in really handy.
Here are my top picks for a winter running kit:
Base layers are a great investment for the colder months. You can wear them under a hi-vis jacket or Gillet or even under another running top. For a budget option, check out the middle aisle at Aldi.
Longer running tights are a must. Running tights come in varying thicknesses, look for the winter-weight ones or ones with a brushed lining to keep you toasty warm.
A pair of gloves and a hat a are essential to keep the chill away. If like me, you overheat quickly try a buff instead, these can be worn many ways.
A running jacket. These are fab for rainy days, keeping you nice and dry. Look for a lightweight one as you tend to get warm quite quickly. Ideally one with pockets so you can shove your gloves in mid-run.
Hi-vis as mentioned before, you need to be seen at this time of year. Look for clothing with reflective elements so you stand out!