Your Winter Running Guideline from the Rotary Santa Run

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Nov. 22, 2019 - PRLog -- On your marks, get set, let it snow! You can now register for the annual Santa 5K that brings the community together for the last 5K of the season and gets participants into the holiday spirit whilst giving back to the Rotary Club. On December 7, 2019, be sure to get your running shoes ready and have yourself a merry little holiday race when you join us for the Santa Run.

When running in winter, it is important to remember to shorten your strides. Because winters in Chicagoland are always unpredictable, a shorter stride allows you to be balanced with potential icy and slushy terrain and allows your body to warm up more. With that being said, if you see ice patches on your run, it is safer to walk over those to avoid slipping and ruining your winter run.

Dressing right is an important aspect of enjoying your winter run. You will be provided with a Santa Suit for the Arlington Heights Rotary Santa Run, but you should be prepared to dress warmly under that. Dressing in layers is the best way to be prepared for colder weather. Remembering to wear warmer socks and a hat is a huge factor into how comfortable you will be on your run. Having them be festive is a bonus for our 5K. Wearing running shoes with traction on them also makes it easier for you to enjoy your running without slipping every which way.

Combat the cold by warming your body both before and after the race. Before running in the cold, be sure to warm up with some stretching or simply jumping in place to get your body ready to run. After completing the 5K, warm up your body with something warm like hot chocolate by a warm fire. Warm up with us at our after race celebration at various locations throughout Arlington Heights.

The final thing to consider before embarking on your winter run is to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! When doing physical activities outdoors in the winter, your body may forget that it needs just as much hydration as it would when running in hot summery weather. Drinking a lot of water before, during, and after the race is how you get the most out of your winter running experience.

Running 5Ks is something that brings the running community together but also brings the Arlington Heights community together for a good cause in a fun and festive way. We hope to see you there! Register today HERE.