Anyone else dreading winter?

[Perec]

When I went out running this morning at 0730 it was sunny but cold and despite it being a lovely day I was filled with a sense of foreboding. I am really not looking forward to the coming months of gloom, wet, colds and running in mud.

Anyone else not looking forward to winter? Or perhaps you've developed strategies to deal with seven months of crap weather?

[Deanno1dad]

My fitness training takes a massive hit in the winter..I'm a cyclist,the misery of Heavy rain/Ice and general cold weather keeps the bike in the shed for longer then it should be there.

[ewenm]

Perec said:

When I went out running this morning at 0730 it was sunny but cold and despite it being a lovely day I was filled with a sense of foreboding. I am really not looking forward to the coming months of gloom, wet, colds and running in mud.

Anyone else not looking forward to winter? Or perhaps you've developed strategies to deal with seven months of crap weather?

I went for a run on Saturday, 90 mins offroad (mostly) and can't wait for a bit of colder, wetter weather - the fields are so hard that I'm forever turning my ankles, the warm weather means there are loads of flies and the less-used paths are overgrown with nettle and brambles. I welcome the autumn die-back of plants and insects and the softer ground!

Plus, for me there's little better than a dawn run that starts misty and atmospheric then burns off into a lovely cold day.

[Hoofy]

Winter sucks for tennis if it rains or the court is icey. I'll spend more time indoor climbing instead.

[RizzoTheRat]

I've only started running this year, but have spent the summer having to get up stupidly early to go for a run before it gets to hot. Now the weather's cooling down a bit I can go for a run after work and have a lie in the morning.

Mind you I got soaked last night and really didn't enjoy it.

[S10GTA]

Deanno1dad said:

My fitness training takes a massive hit in the winter..I'm a cyclist,the misery of Heavy rain/Ice and general cold weather keeps the bike in the shed for longer then it should be there.

Turbo or Rollers help

[goldblum]

I much prefer running in winter. Easier to hydrate on long runs and less effort than running in the sun. And, like Ewenn says, no flies. Running in the dark can even be quite fun. Ice is a pain but snow's actually quite good as long as it's compacted.

[RizzoTheRat]

I need to look at getting some winter running kit, at the moment I'm just in shorts and t-shirt but sooner or later it's going to be a bit too cold for that. Tried some knee length compression socks last night but they were still a bit too warm. Do you winter runners wear compression leggings/tops, looser stuff, or stick with shorts and t-shirt and run faster?

[ewenm]

RizzoTheRat said:

I need to look at getting some winter running kit, at the moment I'm just in shorts and t-shirt but sooner or later it's going to be a bit too cold for that. Tried some knee length compression socks last night but they were still a bit too warm. Do you winter runners wear compression leggings/tops, looser stuff, or stick with shorts and t-shirt and run faster?

I tend to wear Nike DriFit running leggings (tight) and long-sleeved tops (loose). When it's properly cold I wear this:
Beanie hat + running gloves
Long sleeved running t-shirt under a short sleeved t-shirt (both technical material, no cotton).
Running shorts
Running leggings
Socks + trainers

Racing in winter has often been shorts, club vest and gloves which are usually thrown to a supporter mid-race

[Centurion07]

Hoofy said:

Winter sucks for tennis if it rains or the court is icey. I'll spend more time indoor climbing instead.

Fixed that for you.

Seriously, winter can fk off.

[ewenm]

Went for a nice offroad run at lunchtime today - much more pleasant at about 10C cooler than last week. Bit slippery in places but that's just a footwear issue (ooh! shiny new kit!). Still too overgrown so a few nettle stings but they'll die-back soon.

[Hoofy]

Centurion07 said:

Hoofy said:

Winter sucks for tennis if it rains or the court is icey. I'll spend more time indoor climbing instead.

Fixed that for you.

Seriously, winter can fk off.

Providing it isn't raining too heavily or icey, I can still play. The issue is getting wet or slipping with sudden changes in direction.

[Some Gump]

I cycled through wind, rain and snow last year - if you have enough layers, it's ok.
Needs:
Waterproof overshoes. They won't keep you dry, but warm, wet feet isn't a biggie.
Decent gloves.
Layers, lots of layers
Windproof top
Warm Hat under helmet
Optional - gay neckscalf thing

My "waterproof" jacket makes me dead wet, becUse i sweat on the hils. I still get wet in my windproof softshell, but it's rain more than sweat.

In either case, i still enjoy the ride, and still get wet - but not cold. Also, rule 9 states that if you're doing 100k in the middle of winter, you are a badass. You're not going to argue with the rules, are you?

[Terminator X]

I like it outside in amongst the muck and bullets; the colder, wetter and windier the better!

TX.

[RizzoTheRat]

I discovered the other night that I need to start wearing contact lenses again, running in the rain wearing glasses is no fun

[GTIR]

It plays havoc with the bowling green.
Thankfully it's usually empty because the old folk are having hip problems and generally dying.

[Vladimir]

Great waves, uncrowded. While I don't like the short days or the temperatures much, for surfing, it's the best season!

[anonymous-user]

The key is having the right kit. I buy winter stuff in summer on the cheap and then look forward to winter when I can go out running/cycling etc with it on. Having a range of activities you do helps, sometimes if its raining I might do an indoor turbo bike session or swim. If it's cold but sunny, a long bike ride or run.

I actually quite like the winter.

[dave_s13]

I did the yorkshire tough mudder on saturday just gone. Not cold but not warm either.

Jumping into a bath of iced water then climbing out and running the next 10 miles soaking wet, muddy and over/under all manner of water based obstacles has recalibrated my feelings on whats too cold.

Saying that, I did a few sub zero MTB rides early in the year and when it gets to your feet, and then your bones, it takes all the enjoyment out of it. If you can keep your head, feet and hands warm you'll be reet.

[Otispunkmeyer]

nope....

One of the best things about your sport of choice being swimming. A (relatively) warm pool to train in that is the same temperature all year round. Though having said that, the pool is nicer to get into on a hot summers day than it is on a winter one. Its still kept at a what you might call "fresh" temperature, but it takes a good 5 minutes to shake off that initial bite when you dive in then its fine. The worst problem is draughty changing rooms!