I wasn’t always into running. 

For years, it was something for other people. People who made their bed in the morning, were broadly on time and successfully kept track of subscriptions. People who had their sh*t together. 

But then running became, to date, the only New Year’s resolution I ever kept. 

(Eventually this helped with the other stuff too, but that’s for another time).

New year, new running Shoes, new me. Which meant starting in January, with dark, frosty mornings, when it’s so cold every breath feels like downing a large Tango Ice Blast.

Because of this I’ve always felt more at home running in the cold. 

I love running past people in their toasty cars, heating at full blast, looking at me through the tiny gap in their windscreen frost like I am an insane person.

I love dodging the slush, the puddles and the mini-continents of ice that form on the paths, feeling like a character in a 90s video game.

I love applying layers of carefully selected running gear, each adding its own source of warmth until I’m like a lasagna fresh out the oven.

And as is well-documented, running is great for your mental health - winter less so. 

So as we Brits endure the coldest winter since Adrian Chiles left the BBC, I share top ten tips to help brave the cold and keep up the running routine.

Tell your mates (or better yet, bring them along)

Running off alone into the unknown is romantic, but when it’s -5 outside, it’s just dangerous. Fall into a ditch in this weather and you’ll be a lollipop for badgers within a few hours. So let someone know where exactly you’re going and when you expect to be back.

Apply a second skin

Be a little running onion, complex and layered. For me, this starts with a long-sleeve technical base layer and usually some trousers to match. Fabric-wise, wool will keep you warm, even if it gets wet, whereas a nylon blend will wick moisture from the skin. Key thing to remember is cotton is not your friend. 

Wear gloves with the touchscreen enabler thing

Not only are these types of gloves warm and practical, you also feel like Tom Cruise in Minority Report when scrolling through Instagram. For those cold runs, it means a lot less faff when changing music or checking maps, so you can focus on staying warm, staying consistent and staying safe.

Treat your feet to the right sock

Your winter running regime won’t get far without healthy feet. Familiarise yourself with our guide to common foot problems associated with running, and if any feel familiar to you, pick the sock that will keep this issue at bay. Typically you want a merino wool-based sock with added synthetic material for extra durability. But take a look at the options and don’t just run in the novelty socks your aunt bought you for Christmas. 

Stay visible 

When it comes to clothing colours and accessories during winter runs, don’t be shy. If you don’t look like you could be on the way to a fresher’s week rave night, go back inside and add an extra reflective strip. Add a headlamp if you tend to run away from main streets. 

Get warm indoors

If, like me, you spend winter either running or cowering underneath several blankets until the next run, then you’ll need a thorough warm-up, ideally before you venture outside. Seek out one of the many great warm-up guides on YouTube to get the blood flowing and limbs nimble.

Don’t forget to hydrate

In between dodging ice sheets and trying to spot patterns in your breath clouds, it can be easy to forget about hydration. Running in the cold isn’t always thirsty work, but getting water in your body is still important to avoid dehydration symptoms and lack of performance, especially on longer runs. Just because the sun isn’t out, doesn’t mean your water bottle shouldn’t be.

Keep your shoes dry

Wet shoes are one of the easiest ways to give your feet issues, whilst dramatically reducing the lifespan on your trainers. In the cold, this moisture freezes around your feet, exacerbating these issues whilst exposing you to a bad case of the sniffles. The most reliable way to keep shoes dry is with the Atacama shoe dryer, not with yesterday’s newspaper stuffed inside. 

Door closed, kit off

Those layers that kept you warm and dry during the run need to come off as soon as you walk through the door. So before you post to Strava, take off your wet, cold kit so you can get it (and yourself) ready for the next run. 

Hopefully after that you’re feeling more positive about running in negative temperatures. Stay hot on cold winter running, and for loads more great running tips, stories and insight, visit our blog. 

And to better prepare for the wet weather runs ahead, learn more about our Atacama shoe dryer.