Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Scandinavian running for foreigners



Someone, I think Reen, asked for a brief description of what you need for running in the Scandinavian weather (autumn/winter)... 

She said "The clothes, the shoes... It's getting colder here everyday (for me at least since I just came to Norway from Asia and so used to having sun all year round".

Well, for basic fall/early winter/spring running You'll need long tights, real running socks, a running shirt and an extra outer layer. A running hat is a great idea and gloves. Many people swear by the Icebug shoes when snow and ice make running slippery and tricky. 

As it gets really cold (I've been running in temperatures down to -17C), you need more clothes but perhaps not as much as you'd think. A buttwarmer is a great idea as are fleece lined running tights.  


  • underwear and sportsbra
  • buttwarmers
  • socks
  • fleecelined tights
  • icebreaker merino underlayer
  • windbreaker
  • hat
  • gloves
  • kid neckwarmer
Here's another pic of the absurd number of things I sometimes have to put on when going for a run in cold weather. Most people don't bother. They run inside on the gym treadmills instead.

I really want to stress the importance of running during the winter in Scandinavia. If you don't the cold, cold, dark, dark, wet, wet winter will suck the life out of you. You'll wake up in the dark and go to bed in the dark. You will start saying things like "allt är så jobbigt nu". 

But if you keep running, your friends adrenaline and endorphine will help you through winter and make you see the beauty that's all around you. 

IT IS SO WORTH PUTTING ON EXTRA CLOTHING AND GETTING OUT FOR THAT HALF-HOUR. It's often the difference between gloom and glory. Keep running. This is the feeling winter running may reward you with: