Winter is coming. Rumour has it that a foreign substance called “rain” will begin to fall from the Perth skies…
The days are getting shorter and winter will be here pretty soon. If you’re in the habit of training outdoors, you don’t need me to tell you there’s some challenges coming your way! Some people (like surfers) have a form of exercise they love which is enhanced by the Perth winter, but for others (e.g. people attending outdoor group training sessions!) winter presents some serious but not insurmountable obstacles. Occasionally, it can be pretty miserable doing outdoor training when it’s raining, dark and cold. Or at least the prospect of getting out there in the elements can feel like a dicey proposition. But 9 times out of 10, it’s totally worth it. Here’s some tips to keep you active in the great outdoors this winter:
Mindset tip #1: Forecasts are often pessimistic
You look at the forecast and you see a 50% chance of rain. You assume this will mean you’ll surely be soaked through if you venture outdoors. Bear in mind that;
Perth rain often comes and goes quite quickly and the sort of shelter provided by a tree is often very adequate
Forecasted rain often does not eventuate! Or at least does not hit the area where you plan to be active
Showers are often pretty benign and don’t really get you that wet
Mindset tip #2: Rain and wind is a chance to develop your tolerance for discomfort
The act of going outdoors for exercise in the wild - or less-than-perfect - weather can help you develop the sort of mental fortitude that transfers over to analogous situations in life. Like pushing yourself into an uncomfortable work situation you’ve been avoiding. You’d be surprised at how powerful the psychological training effect can be.
Mindset tip #3: Winter wildness has a beauty that can only be fully appreciated by being in the elements
There’s a special beauty on offer in winter. It’s a wilder, less crowded and more reflective aesthetic. I find that I often have really great thinking time while running in winter. There’s something about the ruggedness of the season that’s more primal and helps me to connect with deeper thoughts. And as a surfer, there’s nothing quite like being in the winter ocean. It’s hard to find the words to describe it but there’s a size, rawness and magnificence there in the winter that’s not there in summer.
Gear tip #1: Keep Dry & Warm
It’s miserable to be wet and cold when you’re exercising outdoors. Truly fun sapping. When it’s cold and raining, you need to ensure you can keep your chest and back reasonably dry and warm. The best way to do this is with a water resistant outer shell to keep you dry. Here’s an example of something that’s suitable for running (which generates a lot of heat):
And here’s and example of something that’s more suitable for outdoor group training (which generates less heat than running):
With this option, you’d most likely be warming up with it on and then taking it off as it could be very warm to train in for prolonged periods (unless it’s raining continuously).
Gear tip #2: Use breathable layers underneath your outer shell
Select t-shirts (short sleeve or long sleeve) made from moisture wicking fabrics (i.e. not cotton t shirts!) and layer them as needed. Anything you’d get from the running section of a major sporting shop would be moisture wicking, although the higher quality garments are often found in running specialty stores and websites or the more boutique-ey places like the Nike shop. Don’t get me wrong, there’s good stuff in the big box sporting shops, but you have to sift through the “meh” stuff whereas the specialty shops such as The Running Centre in West Perth or Keep on Running in Floreat Forum have a more curated stock list.
Gear tip #3: Come to terms with getting the rest of your body saturated every now and again
Chest and back warm and dry? Check. Now, don’t push too much about the rest of you. It’s good for the soul to get a little saturated every now and then. Plus, if you tried to keep your whole body dry while exercising vigorously, you’d get so hot that it would be just as misery inducing as being wet and cold all over. Wear shorts and tights that have some chance of drying out if they get a little rained upon and then don’t stress about it. Oh, one more thing. When your feet get wet, it can increase the possibility of blistering. A good strategy to prevent this is to wear lightweight running socks (such as those sold by Australian company, “Steigen”). Layer up with two pairs if you need to. This is better than using heavy weight socks, which can bunch up and cause friction (and therefore blisters).
Get amongst it outside this winter, Perth wusses!!