Run All Winter

Don’t hibernate at home this winter! Take some advice from Olympian Eilish McColgan to keep on running

- Sarah Ivory

Wind. Rain. Snow. You can rely on the British weather to make running seem a little less appealing this winter. But if the thought of training outside when it’s dark and cold sends you racing to the couch, know this – cold-weather training is good for your body. In fact, research shows that exercising in the chillier months not only keeps fitness levels up, but also might offer unexpected benefits, such as improved mental health and better sleep. And if you want to be running well in the spring, middle distance runner and GB double Olympian, Eilish McColgan, notes that it’s important to continue training now. ‘Winter is a great time to switch things up and build an endurance base,’ says McColgan. ‘It’s my endurance phase, during which I’ll target a couple of 10K races. I like to stay competitive because, if you’re racing in the spring, it can be a shock to the system to suddenly have to find that competitive spirit. A bit of focus helps me continue to run fast and not feel stale.’ Train like an Olympian this winter and reap the benefits come spring by harnessing McColgan’s top cold-weather running tips.

1 GET THE RIGHT KIT