Reward Winter Training by Running a Sunny Marathon

If you work hard and train through the winter months then why not reward yourself by running the Limassol Marathon in Cyprus during the beautiful Cypriot Springtime. It can be hard to stay on track with your fitness when the weather is bad but don’t let it detract you from your goals. When the days are shorter and wetter a lot of people are tempted to hide out in the gym for a couple of months clocking up miles on a treadmill. Whilst this is a great option for when the weather is severe, it does not offer the same challenge of running on the open road. When you are training to run an international marathon, make sure that you mix up your treadmill time with at least two outdoor runs a week. One of these should be your weekly long run. If you can, try to take it in the middle of the day, when the weather is warmest and you’ve got the most daylight. Once you hit the last six weeks of training to run your European marathon, do your best to get as many runs as possible done outdoors. For the most part cold days are fine but try to avoid running in the rain or the sleet for more than 45 minutes as it can increase your chances of catching a chill. Staying dry should be one of your main priorities so your running gear plays an important role in your training. It needs to be lightweight and snug in order to maintain your core body temperature. Wear a beanie and gloves to keep your extremities warm, these can always be taken off should you begin to overheat. Ideally your outer layer should be windproof and have pockets; better jackets have zippers on the armpits to allow for good ventilation. After training, your recovery is going to be a bit different when it is cooler. A well-fuelled run is the first step to proper recovery. Being colder doesn’t mean you won’t be losing fluids and at risk of dehydration so you should maintain the intake of food and water that you would after a run in the sun. Instead of doing a recovery run head indoors and try stretching, yoga or Pilates. These activities will keep your muscles limber and allow you to stay warm and dry whilst you do your recovery. If you follow these easy guidelines and look after yourself during the winter months then come March 24th you will have made it through the worst of the weather and be in peak physical condition to run by the sea in beautiful Limassol. Bio run by the sea, Limassol is the host venue for one of the most picturesque international half marathons in Europe. It is popular amongst experts seeking flat marathon courses or novices simply wanting to run abroad.