Winter running

No doubt about it, winter running can be wonderful or horrible depending on how you feel and how prepared to get a bit cold you are. Over the christmas season of overindulging, it was one of the things that kept my energy levels up and kept the bloating of too much drink and heavy food weight from completely ballooning out of control. Even on frosty mornings, once I can get out the door, everything usually falls into place.

To be honest, I don't really like the cold, give me a hot, sweaty run any day, but there are benefits for fitness like being able to run further without dehydrating and avoiding the power of the summer sun. There are also a lot of wonderful running events in winter. It was getting out for a run in winter that was the challenge, so for me the big difference came when I started using the right gear. Windproof light gloves, thin warm fleece long sleeve top under a windbreaker running jacket or vest, running tights, headband (just to cover ears) or knit hat for colder days, padded socks and good, newish running shoes with enough grip to get you over the snow, frost or ice. There are some great online resources for this gear including the women's gear specialist, Title 9 sports, they have everything you need or want for winter sport activity. We all know that having some nice gear that keeps you warm and still looks good makes all the difference. When I was a student, I would just head out for a jog in a loose fitting sweatshirt and long sweatpants and any old runners that I had had for years, but never really felt very good while running. Now I have learned my lesson and wear gear that makes me look and feel good about myself, shops like title 9 help us do that because there are so many things that go wrong when a woman wears men's gear, it just doesn't fit right.
If you are small enough to get into Japanese clothes, you will be able to find the right gear at some local shops like : Yanbo's running shop, despite being a small shop, they offer a lot of good quality clothes and shoes and will order large sizes of shoes for you if they are out of stock. Yanbo also hosts a couple of friendly runs every year (one is this sunday the 8th starting from in front of the Home Telebi building (Ushita/Hakushima- opposite Yasuda elementary/jhs, next to the astram line -Hakushima stop is closest) from 10am if you are interested in joining in for a 10km or 20 km run with a friendly group of runners.

Anyone know of any other winter running tips or resources? Please let us know.