Trail Running: Winter.

Winter running through the eyes of a slow, middle-aged, overweight Northern off road trail and moors runner. A mirror blog of the blog Trail Running: Summer.

Winter is here. Although being Northern / oop norf it can be sometimes difficult to tell if it ever stopped being winter ... !

It's often still dark at 7oclock. No beautiful sunrise or sunsets, just grey. I don't need to be up and out before the heat, instead I'm more likely waiting for a fuckin gap in the downpours!.

skin is waterproof, as is your jacket

Usually I just go out and hope for the best. After-all skin is waterproof, we also have waterproof kit (ooh see my latest blog Wet Wet Wet) and running in the rain is good for erm, whatever!

On the plus side I don't need to carry a tonne of water! Depending on the miles I'm doing I do still need some for hydration. I don't think we realise we still need to replace fluids, we're still sweating in our boil in a bag coats but we think it's letting in the water ...

Pre-running preparation is quicker. You don't need to be slathered in suncream, although I would still recommend wearing some on your face. (It also protects against the wind).

You sweat less and definitely not in all the places you sweated in the summer! So probably no need for applying anti-chafe cream.

No need for insect repellent! No nasty bitey things eating the fuck out of you! Most of the creepies have died! Good, bloody things.

Running through water/streams. There will be lots. Your paths will be streams. They helped cool you down in the summer. However it's now more a 'brace yourself and don't stop running' through them in the winter! Brrrr. Oh, and your waterproof socks won't stay waterproof for long. You bought waterproof trail shoes ...? Well they'll be holding in the water keeping your feet nice and wet!. Drainage is your friend.

you'd be forgiven thinking it was a stream

Why am I on the moors in this weather? There are no views, there is no shelter! If the weather turns you're out there in it, unprotected. Carry your kit! You may need it. I'm on them because despite the dull, grey and wet I love them.

Livestock will be inside, on lower grounds or nearer their food carts. So you're less likely to encounter and need to pass them by. Also the young are older and are now less bothered by you. Win!

Conclusion. While it's hard work running in the wet, puddles, mud, bogs and sogginess I find it better for those long runs. It's nice and cool. You may not always get the views you like and at the worse it'll rain, but you've got your kit with you, right?.

Afterthought. 

I prefer the cooler months. Less to carry, well water weighs more than a jacket, spare buff and gloves! And but for the snow (a different winter matter all together but thankfully we get very little here) it's actually, in my opinion, easier or preferable for running.

The views may be disappointing