Winter is setting in across the regions and the mountains are covered with snow, even at relatively low altitudes. Don't feel like you have to spend all your free time in front of the fireplace because you can carry on running. Take advantage of these conditions to lose yourself in fairytale landscapes.
When you run in the snow, you will have to take a few small precautions, notably a suitable outfit that is designed for very cold conditions, especially if you are exposed to northern winds.
Your shoes must have suitably studded soles because of the high risk of slipping. Even if the covering partly cushions falls, you need to be careful in this respect. You can also use fittings (like springs) that can be fastened beneath the shoes and which considerably increase the grip.They are equivalent to the chains that are sometimes fitted to the wheels of vehicles for driving on fresh snow.
The change in grip between snow-covered surfaces may be disconcerting. A groomed section prepared especially for cross-country skiing is not too dissimilar to the conditions you would experience running in the countryside or even on a road. However, just a few metres further on, you may find yourself buried calf-deep in a patch of snow that has not been packed down.This means that there is a need for anticipation, and the best way of doing this is to carefully observe the path ahead. Rather than following the straight line route that you would take on a road, the quickest route may be the one where you can remain on firm ground.
You will also have to think about adjusting your stride. This is done by shortening your stride. By shortening your stride, your foot will spend less time on the ground. If you were to lose your footing, your other foot should already be grounded, thereby reducing the risk of falling. Your centre of gravity will also be more aligned with your body, which will ensure that your bodyweight is more balanced on icy sections.
By relaxing the upper body and running with your arms slightly spread out, you will gain even more balance. Remember that tightrope, or the more modern slackline walkers only use their arms to balance themselves in mid-air.
Exercising your core strength and general physical preparation is excellent for running on snow.Indeed, the abs are significantly tested when losing your footing.In any case, this exercise is good for running during the rest of the season.
As a result of the cold that your body is fighting, you will be expending more energy.This means that you will need to eat more to compensate for the calories burnt.What's more, take care to take on enough fluids when out running because, despite the fact that you may not feel thirsty, you are actually using up fluids.
Finally, ski resorts are holding more and more competitions, including in lower mountain ranges. This could be the opportunity to treat yourself by taking part in an official race and trying out all the advice given in this article. Races are often quite short, so they don't require extensive training, particularly if you - like most of us - are looking to have fun and push yourself, rather high performance.
Don't use the cold and snow as an excuse to hibernate when it comes to sport. On the contrary, it's a chance for magical experiences. And when spring comes, you'll be proud to have maintained your fitness level and eliminated the excesses of the festive season.