After that rainy week in Dubai, the weather has been much colder. The warm summer evenings are now behind us which makes it harder for runners to get out of bed and go running. Here are seven tips for running during winter in Dubai.
We know that winter in Dubai isn’t as bad as it is. However, wearing a few layers of clothing will help you maintain your core body temperature during the run. It’s better to wear a little more and then remove some layers later when your blood is flowing and your temperature is rising. A lot of running experts claim that using a moisture-wicking fabric is beneficial even during winter. This is because you will still sweat during winter even if you think that you’re not. If you wear something like a cotton long-sleeved shirt, your sweat will not be moved away from your skin and make you feel colder.
Runners tend to not warm up for as long as they should because of lack of time and other excuses. Getting the body ready is crucial for an effective run and to avoid any injuries, most especially during winter. To get your body prepared for the long, cold miles ahead, you should start with a light jog or walk for at least 5 minutes and do some dynamic stretches for at least another 5 minutes.
When running or training in the cold weather, it will be essential to ensure that you’re maintaining a well-balanced diet. It has been found that cold weather exposure increases the use of glycogen for energy. This means that if you’re not fueled properly for running in the cold weather, you could go into a state of hypoglycemia which could suppress shivering and cause your core body temperature to drop.
You already know this but you need to drink a lot of water even during colder days. Dehydration can be hard to spot when it’s cold outside so you need to make sure you’re drinking a lot before, during, and after your run. If drinking plain water in the cold can be tough, you can add sports drink electrolytes to add a bit of flavour to your drink.
Although it’s a bit colder in Dubai now, it’s still sunny which will make it easier for you to run during winter. Go for a beach run or to a park where there is a lot of direct sunlight to help you stay warm while running. You can also check out and visit the best running tracks in Dubai.
We know that people in Dubai are not used to the cold. Other runners who also have work can also go for a run only after work during chilly evenings. Therefore, if it’s really too cold, you can always run indoors for a while. Go to the nearest gym and hit the treadmill instead. Some runners find running on a treadmill boring, if so, can check out treadmills that include a video option to make your run more interactive and enjoyable.