Tag: health

Running in the cold weather

Posted on by Mohsin Salya

Hi, and welcome back to the Mohsin Salya blog.

First things first – you really can still run in the cold! Don’t let the dark mornings and nights put you off – with a bit of determination you can get out there and keep those fitness levels up, and you’ll really see the benefit come springtime.

But what are my top tips for making cold weather running more bearable? Here goes:

Layer up

Rather than pulling a big thick jumper on when you head out, build up your layers to trap warm air and keep yourself well insulated. You’ll warm up as you run too, so don’t over do it. I’d recommend two or three thin breathable layers, with the last one being waterproof just in case things turn really nasty. Protect your extremities too – a good pair of gloves and a hat are vital.

Warm up (and cool down) properly

I’ve talked before about how important warming up properly is, but it’s not until you’ve pulled a hamstring on a cold January morning and had to hobble home halfway through your run that you realise just why we have to do it, especially in winter. It’s cold, so your muscles and ligaments will take even longer to warm up than they usually do. I’d recommend just taking it really easy for the first 10 minutes or so to acclimatise.

Do it with friends

There are lots of reasons to avoid running alone in the winter – it can be tough, lonely and disheartening when the conditions are poor and sometimes we all just need some support and encouragement from fellow runners. So, stay motivated by finding a running partner who can help you get out on the road this winter – or, even better, join your local running club.

Until the next time,

Mohsin Salya.

Why do we run and what benefits does it have?

Posted on by Mohsin Salya

 

Hi, and welcome back to the Mohsin Salya blog.

Sometimes, when the cold rain is running down the back of my neck and my legs feel like lead, I ask myself the same question. But, it’s something that we should all reflect on sometimes: why exactly do we run?

I think there are a few ways to answer this, but essentially for most of us I think it boils down to the idea that we run because it benefits us both physically and mentally. Here’s how.

  1. It gives us some well-needed headspace

Run for five minutes, and you’ll probably spend most of it thinking about all the things you should be doing instead of being out on a run. Run for a bit longer, and you’ll eventually hit that blissful point where you suddenly realise you haven’t thought about anything at all for a few minutes. You’ve just been running, listening to your body and the world around you. Running also releases lots of good chemicals into your body that help us to combat stress and depression – so it’s not just pure escapism.

  1. It makes us more aware of our bodies

How many races are sold on the basis of their toughness and brutality? It’s surprising how many are, but then pain and running have always had a closer relationship with each other than in many other sports. Perhaps it’s because the pain we endure when we’re running puts us in touch with our bodies again, shaking us out of the stuffiness of the sedentary working lives that many of us have, making us remember what our bodies are capable of when we really push them.

The urge to run then comes from our addiction to the benefits we all feel when we do it – it just feels good to run, at a very primal and natural level. Running keeps you fit, it keeps you happy, and ultimately, it’s something we’re born to do.

Until the next time,

Mohsin Salya