No, I'm not talking about the old Brownie's motto, I'm talking about Autumn running..
Now that Autumn is well and truly upon us and the clocks have gone back, we are in to dark mornings and soggy leaves underfoot.
It’s all too tempting to want to go in to hibernation when the nights draw in and temperatures start to drop but with a bit of planning ahead you can still enjoy running and exercising outdoors.. and you’ll feel so much better for getting outside, as we all know!
Here are my top tips for staying warm and staying safe:
Autumn can sometimes be a tricky time of year when it comes to deciding what to wear. Some days are still quite mild, whilst others make you feel like it’s already Winter.. Wear extra layers but keep them light so you can easily take them off mid run and tie them round your waist if you get too hot.
Look for outer layers that are waterproof yet breathable. Several brands now sell reflective clothing. I personally love my reflective jacket and leggings set from @sweatybetty. (click on the photo below to buy product from Sweaty Betty store)
Get yourself a good pair of running gloves to keep your hands warm as the temperature cools. I really like the ones that clip together so I can hook them over my running belt when I’m wearing clothes with no pockets.
If it's raining, don't let that put you off. Embrace the fact you're going to get wet!! Running shoes with good grip are a must and you may have to shorten your stride length a little.
If you’re running early in the morning or later in the evening and you are running in areas that are not very well lit (trails for example) then you will also need a torch of some sort. I wear a head torch but you can also get ones that strap around your chest for example, some also come with high vis reflective body straps.
Another important safety consideration when running in the dark is choosing whether to run alone or with a buddy, this is especially a concern for female runners. There is obviously safety in numbers. But if it is not possible to run with a friend then ALWAYS let someone know when you are running and which route you are taking, also what time you expect to get home.
Running in the Autumn takes a little extra planning to keep you warm and safe but once you’re out there you’ll forget why you were trying to come up with excuses not to do it!!
Some of this blog post appears in an article on Autumn running in the Outside & Active seasonal guide, for which I'm a contributor. Check out the full free 'Your Guide to Autumn'
