Hello runner friends!
Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series
MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!
Now let's get started by talking about the latest running conditions. With the recent ice storm followed by the snowpocalypse that left the roads and trails very slippery, many runners (like the ones above including Bass Pro AmBASSador Jimmy Brooks) who wanted to avoid the treadmill did what they could to get their workouts done outside. Yesterday morning, this is what Jimmy posted "Found enough clear road to get 7.99 miles in. Yes, I did that on purpose." He's a runner who knows that winter running has many benefits and, when asked about the biggest benefit he could name, said "I think a combination of the fresh air and sunshine just makes me feel better. Plus I hate the treadmill." I couldn't agree more with him on both of those comments. And the thing he did on purpose besides getting in a morning run with friends? He stopped before completing a nice round number like those weird runners (and all runners are weird in one way or another right?) who will run around the parking lot until their Garmin registers 8.00 do. I'll admit that 95% of the time, I'm that runner.
So, in an effort to motivate those runners who are hibernating indoors and waiting it out till sunny and longer days return, I've listed some more winter running benefits below to entice them to brave the cold and leave the electric blanket behind.
But without further ado, here are just a few of the
benefits of running outside in the winter:
Boost your immune system
As winter’s grip tightens on all of us, bugs and viruses become commonplace and do the rounds, only a few escape without being hit hard by the common cold or flu.
Exercising outside will not only help you fight off any symptoms of a cold or flu but reduce the likelihood of you even being affected. Your immune system works harder and is more prepared to fight off foreign invaders and their nasty symptoms. And the extra Vitamin D you’ll get from the sunshine works wonders the immune system!
Great cardiovascular workout
Cold weather forces your body to work harder during training, and this also applies to your cardiovascular system. As the heart works harder to pump blood around the body during cold weather exercise, this invigorating workout helps to keep your heart health in tip-top shape. With cardiovascular disease being a major health threat in this country, anything that strengthens your heart is a smart move.
Cold weather forces your body to work harder during training, and this also applies to your cardiovascular system. As the heart works harder to pump blood around the body during cold weather exercise, this invigorating workout helps to keep your heart health in tip-top shape. With cardiovascular disease being a major health threat in this country, anything that strengthens your heart is a smart move.
Improves your mood
The winter blues, or better known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is when you feel down and your mood is off despite all the holiday cheer. This happens, in part, due to the shorter days and your body/mind not getting enough light and endorphins.
Exercise can boost your mood at any time of year, but it has a particularly profound effect during winter, sending those all-important feel-good chemicals soaring, and keeping the winter blues at bay. In fact, research has shown that a good workout can be up to four times more effective than taking antidepressants, for improving symptoms of depression. As well as being an effective mood booster and pick-me-up, getting outdoors in the fresh air in cold weather can help replenish vitamin D levels in the skin.
Presents new training opportunities to grow your grit
The winter blues, or better known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is when you feel down and your mood is off despite all the holiday cheer. This happens, in part, due to the shorter days and your body/mind not getting enough light and endorphins.
Exercise can boost your mood at any time of year, but it has a particularly profound effect during winter, sending those all-important feel-good chemicals soaring, and keeping the winter blues at bay. In fact, research has shown that a good workout can be up to four times more effective than taking antidepressants, for improving symptoms of depression. As well as being an effective mood booster and pick-me-up, getting outdoors in the fresh air in cold weather can help replenish vitamin D levels in the skin.
Burn more calories
Think of a wintertime workout as a supercharged version of your normal sweat session. Why? Because whatever workout you do, the cold weather will max out your caloric burn. This is due to the body working much harder to keep its core temperature regulated. As the body works to stay warm, the metabolism is kicked into overdrive and your body burns through more calories and fat.
Think of a wintertime workout as a supercharged version of your normal sweat session. Why? Because whatever workout you do, the cold weather will max out your caloric burn. This is due to the body working much harder to keep its core temperature regulated. As the body works to stay warm, the metabolism is kicked into overdrive and your body burns through more calories and fat.
Presents new training opportunities to grow your grit
Since winter running many times renders the streets and trails impossible to run on, this is your time to get creative. Donning ice cleats is a great idea and you can make your workout about time rather than distance, which will allow you to slow down and work some different muscles. With a slower pace, a runner has to work extra hard on keeping themselves mentally motivated, thereby growing their mental fortitude and endurance, aka grit.
On more than one occasion, I've run in my front yard on the snow in small circles. It's not pretty but it gets the job done. And a person who embarks on such a nonsensical run will finish with a sense of accomplishment mentally and physically.
So there you have it friends. There are so many benefits to running outside in the winter with one of the best of them being that you can spend time with your friends. There's just something about being out in the great outdoors together that makes for greater conversation than being side by side on a treadmill. So grab a few of your buddies and get out there, remembering that it's never too cold to run when you have the proper gear and take the proper precautions.
Happy Running!
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