Winter in Botswana is remarkably more pleasant than winter in other parts of the world. But everything is relative! For most of the year, we are forced to run at un-Godly hours just to beat the heat and sometimes by 7am the sun already feels like its piercing the skin. So when winter comes round with much lower temperatures than we are used to, it can feel extremely uncomfortable. But I love running in winter! It just feels, for lack of a better word, easier. Once that initial chill has worn off, I feel like I’m gliding and when I’m done, I feel energised. Although the run might feel easier, getting out of bed certainly isn’t! A couple of years ago, I wrote 10 practical tips for running in winter but I’ve since discovered a few more that I’d like to share!
1/ Warm Your Clothes. As our houses are built for heat they are not well insulated and central heating is unheard of. This means for a couple of months each year, our houses are cold! The chill in the air, the freezing floor and the cold running gear. I’m stressed just writing this! But this year, I’ve been warming my clothes by the heater and what a difference it makes! I’m also doing the same with the kids’ uniform and it has made their changing experience more bearable.
2/ Use Socks As Gloves. I feel winters here are too short to invest in expensive running gloves. Admittedly, my hands don’t get as cold as other people’s do. But a cheap and easy hack for people who struggle with cold hands is to cover them with socks on those days you need it. Once your hands are warm, the socks are easy to remove and roll up for the remainder of your run or you can even discard them if you are in a race as my husband often does during Diacore.
3/ Wear A Buff. This never featured in my first Winter Tips blog, well… because I had no clue what it was then! But now that we’ve all been forced to wear them for a while… I think it’s safe to say most runners own one! Not only does this help you abide by pandemic regulations, it keeps you warm on the run. It’s so versatile – you can cover your whole head if you like but I stick to my mouth and nose and I love having that extra bit of warmth especially when there is a wind chill. Also, breathing in cold, dry air can irritate your mucous membranes and respiratory tract so wearing a buff is a great way to keep you breathing in warm and moist air.
4/ Invest In Wireless Earphones. Another little gem! So you know how you have to keep readjusting wired earphones on the run? That’s bad enough when it’s warm but having to do that when it’s cold and your hands are covered is just a nuisance. Wireless earphones are comfortable to wear on the run and need far less adjustment (at least from my experience). So it’s worth the investment and of course can be used throughout the year, whatever the season.
5/ Don’t Forget The Sunscreen! Luckily for us, Botswana still comes with beautiful sunny skies on most days! But just because it’s a lot colder doesn’t mean we are protected from the sun’s lethal rays. So long as the sun is out (and even if it’s behind clouds) you can get burnt. I’ve made that mistake one too many times! So bottom-line, all runs need sunscreen…even in winter! And while we’re on the topic of sun-protection, don’t forget those sun glasses either!
What do you enjoy about running in winter? What do you hate? What tricks do you have for staying consistent during winter?
Excited to be linking up with My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida for FIT FIVE FRIDAY!
The Gaborone Runner 
I think I would love to visit! I love sunny skies.
Thanks for the tips. It’s weird to think about cold weather now.
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You would love it! And very little humidity. So our heat is dry which is a lot easier to handle than places which are hot and humid!
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Yes. sounds perfect and from your pictures it looks beautiful.
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excellent tips! I think I do all of them except…sunscreen! I’m so good in spring and summer with this and always harping on Ron to wear it because he’s had skin cancer. Good reminders!!
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Thank you! Sorry to hear that Ron has had skin cancer 😦 Sunscreen is so easy to forget in winter! I’ve made that mistake so many times 😅
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These are great tips, Shathiso! You are so lucky to have sunny skies in Winter. We definitely don’t and it’s really draining. Then of course we complain about the heat and humidity in Summer — and are happy for some cloud cover then!
Yes, I was running with gaiters during Winter well before the Pandemic. Sometimes my neck is just too exposed & it gets cold! Gaiters rock for that.
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Thanks Judy! I’ve really enjoyed that extra warmth around my neck! Pre-buff days, my neck always felt too exposed on those extra cold days.
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I hear you! I have one or two gaiters that are actually thick cause you know it gets very cold here!
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Ah I sure do miss winter running! I agree it is easier. it’s the heat and humidity that kill me. Grass is always greener!
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So much easier!
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Believe it or not, we have humidity here in the winter (there’s probably a more scientific, meteorological term for it LOL). On the days when the air “moisture” is strong, it feels even colder (whether the wind is blowing or not). I think I’d much prefer YOUR winters 😉
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Oh wow!!! That sounds awful! Yes, I think you’d prefer our winters for sure!
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Great tips! Our winters feel so long and can get pretty cold. I definitely prefer wireless headphones, although they can still be tricky with hats or headbands on too.
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I don’t think I would survive your winters at all!
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I have a feeling our winters are similar to yours. It does get cold, but generally, we have the sun and it’s just easier. I love the idea of warming up your clothes first.
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From what I’ve seen from your blogs, yes, I think we are on the same page when it comes to winter!
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It’s so strange to read about winter running when we’re in the midst of a heatwave! Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out though. I stay consistent through the winter by having a goal race I am passionate about to train for.
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Yes! Having a goal is always a winner for me too! It really keeps me focused and right now it’s training for my first marathon.
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I’m much happier running in the winter than the summer – the combination of heat and humidity really takes a lot out of me. How cold will the temps get there?
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We’re lucky in that our heat is rarely humid. It’s dry heat so it gets very hot but without that humidity that can be exhausting. This week our lows are at 5/6°C but this will get lower to 1/2°C in coming weeks but rarely sub zero.
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I don’t like how long it takes to get all those layers on, or being cold that first 1/2 mile, but once I’m out running in winter I love it! This year I accidentally left my shoes by a heater vent, and it was so nice to put warm shoes on that spot became my new place to keep my shoes. 😉
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Makes such a difference to put on warm clothes, or in yourcase, warm shoes!!!
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I don’t mind too much running in the Winter as long as it isn’t that cold and there is no snow. Too much to ask, right? We don’t have central heat here but the radiators do keep us warm. My cats sometimes nap on top of them.
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Haha! Not too much to ask for! You should move here 🤣
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Great tips..thank you👏👏
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So happy you enjoyed them! Let’s get this winter done in style!
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How cold does it get during the winter months?
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This week our lows are at 5/6°C,, I think one day it was 4. It will get lower to 1/2°C in coming weeks but rarely sub zero. But the days warm up beautifully so around midday it can range between 17/18 and 24/25.
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