Let’s set the scene. It’s 6:45 am. Outside it is cold, grey and rainy. Inside it is warm, blankety, and cozy. Katherine has just woken up. She picks up her phone. Text message to Dad reads: “Dad, how am I supposed to run when it’s raining?”. Reply reads: “You won’t melt”. Well hot damn. He is right.

Running in the winter. It’s a bitch. It’s cold. It’s the season where Nike wants you to buy their ridiculously expensive dry-fit, yet thermal running gear. It’s the season where you go out for a run and you never put on the right amount of layers. It’s either too much, or too little. It’s the season where hibernation starts to sound really good. Bears definitely have the right idea. Unfortunately, we are not bears. We are people, and this particular person is training for a marathon that is going to take place in March. And before March, comes December, January and February. Even in Jerusalem, those months are cold. So what should one do when trying to run and stay fit while the outside screams at them to go back inside? Here is a helpful list of possible situations and what to do:

1. It’s cold. Answer: put on a sweatshirt and go for a run.
2. It’s raining. Answer: Is it pouring? If so, wait an hour until the rain hopefully subsides a little. If not, put on a raincoat and go for a run.
3. It’s grey and gloomy outside. Answer: It’s just a color. Go for a run.
4. It’s snowing. Answer: Is the snow covering all the pavement? Is it too slippery to run? If not, go for a run. If yes, go over to the nearest gym and hop on the treadmill.
5. I have a cold. Answer: Studies have shown, that running when you have a cold is not bad for you, if of course you are feeling up for it. So basically, go for a run (but listen to your body).

Basically, running in the winter is psychological. I have heard so many people say “I’m usually a really active person, but it gets hard in the winter what with wanting to stay inside wear slippers and drink hot chocolate”. Anyone will want to go for a run on a beautiful, sunny, warm, but not too warm day. It takes a true hero to shed their fleece PJ’s to move their warm body into the stiff freezing cold for a run. Are you a hero?

Remember that 90% of the time you will feel better for having gone on that run. Plus, you will feel excellent when you are eating that warm delicious pastry that you were going to eat anyway, knowing that have been on a run that day.

From an evolutionary standpoint, humans have evolved the ability for long distance running to be able to hunt for food, survive and remain safe. From the safety of bed, with a fridge full of food downstairs, my body really is not understanding the need to go outside and run, but alas. The brain knows that it’s the right thing to do. We feel better after we move. Heck, we evolved to be able to do this. Let’s not let down evolution.

In summary, ask yourself why do you run? Is is to lose weight? To stay healthy? Do you like the feeling it gives you? Are you training for a race? No matter your reason, the goal is clear. It is to run. Don’t let winter bully you out of your intentions. Plus, if you’re lucky, the weather will suddenly clear up for the hour at which you decide to run, like it did for me all of last week. (I have good Karma). Happy Winter Everyone!

P.S. To be opened and read on gross rainy mornings. -Katherine