Why I Love Cool/Cold Weather Running

September 12, 2014 by Lace Up And Live Life 12 Comments

I was in Seattle for the past week mixing a little business and pleasure.  It was a great trip and I discovered Seattle is a very vegetarian/vegan friendly city!  I had no trouble finding restaurants and items on menus that were sans meat or dairy.  I fully expected going in to the trip that I would have one meal of fish/seafood, but that never happened!  I was so satisfied with all of the other items I found I never felt the need to “indulge” in a seafood meal.  The adventure, culinary experience, and a really awesome data conference made for a thoroughly enjoyable past week!

My return to Colorado reminded me that fall is officially here.  I returned last night to temperatures in the low 40’s that dipped below freezing over night.  We removed the window air conditioners and turned on the heater for the first time.  I went for a run today (I only ran once in Seattle, and it was on a treadmill – fail – but I’m not beating myself up over it) and not only was it the strongest, longest, just all around best run I’ve had since before my injury, but it reminded me how I really love cool and cold weather running.

In no particular order, are the things I love about fall and winter running:

1) Not having to slather sunscreen all over my body to protect exposed areas from the sun

2) Pace naturally picks up because my body isn’t working so hard to keep me cool

3) Socks!!!  Cool weather means bring on the knee high socks to stay warm 🙂

4) My running gear isn’t completely saturated with sweat when I’m done running

5) I find it easier to breathe – I don’t know if that’s true for most people and/or whether it has something to do with my asthma or the general lower levels of crap in the air in the fall/winter months, but it’s noticeable easier for me to suck wind

6) Gorgeous Colorado scenery – changing colors in the fall and crisp, brisk air and snow-covered mountains in the winter

7) Fewer people on the paths and trails – let’s face it, only the dedicated keep it going year round

8) Excuse to buy a few new running clothing items – yes, yes I do need more long sleeve shirts and pants

9) Themed races – because covering distances is a lot more fun wearing a Halloween costume or Santa hat

10) More necessary clothing/gear = more opportunities to wear crazy colors and show a little personality

11) Tons of winter races mean plenty of opportunities and excuses to stave off that holiday season weight gain

12) The permission to not feel as guilty when I have that eggnog or piece of pumpkin pie because I’ll run it off

13) The likelihood of getting the winter blues is decreased since running keeps me level and happy

14) Getting to enjoy Colorado year round and not feel cabin fever in the winter months

15) Getting to push my long runs on the weekends to the hours during which I prefer to run (generally anywhere between 9am-1pm) to allow the temperature to rise

If fall is not yet upon you in your neck of the woods, enjoy these last days of summer.  For the rest of us, I hope you’re finding joy in the small pleasures of cooler temperatures!

Becky