As cardio becomes increasingly more popular as a form of exercise, more and more people look to get out their running shoes and hit the track. But when most people step outside during the late fall, winter, or early spring season, they feel the rush of wind against their faces and a cold that seeps past all their layers and go back inside.
But there are a few ways to get some exercise in the cold months, one of them being the winter track team at our school.
The boys’ team, led by Coaches Coleman and Cole, and the girls’ team, led by Coaches Collins and Coope, starts in mid-November and ends in early-February. Practices are outside every day after school, unless the rain or cold is too severe, in which teams will train indoors.
If an athlete’s times are adequate, they’ll be able to advance to regional, state, and national competitions, all taking place in March.
Even if you don’t plan on running track past high school, the advanced competitions are a lot of fun, and a great opportunity to bond with the team.
The most daunting part of winter track is, obviously, the cold. Although it might seem challenging, running in the cold can be very beneficial for athletes.
Increases metabolism- Our bodies are programmed to preserve fat, slowing down our metabolisms in response to decreased exercise. Running in the cold ‘tricks’ the body, altering metabolism to slow down, and helping to maintain a healthy weight.
Combats Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)- Exercise releases feel-good chemicals like serotonin and endorphins, which lift your mood and make it easier to get through the dreary winter months.
Increases endurance- Cool temperatures allow you to exercise for longer without getting tired, increasing your stamina and helping you prepare for other sports you might partake in.
In addition to the health benefits, joining winter track shows involvement in school activities and hard-working attributes, traits you can add to college and job applications.
You also get to reap the social benefits; snowball fights before practice with your teammates, loud bus rides after a victorious meet, and making friends that will last years after the season ends.
Alena, a sophomore who ran with the girls’ team during her freshman year spoke about her own experience with the track team. “The hardest part about winter track was definitely trying to remain focused and committed during practices with the cold weather and rain we ran through.”
“[But] a piece of advice I would give someone wanting to run winter track is to stay determined even if it seems hard because it will pay off when it comes to whatever you might be training for.”
Whether that may be the next meet, state competitions, or just a faster time, as someone who ran winter track herself, all the training in frosty winter weather paid off when I reached my goals.
Even if you don’t plan on running for more than one season, there’s no harm done by just trying it out. Run in snowflakes, make new friends, and set some personal records. School can easily be one of the most stressful things in a teenager’s life, but running track is one of the most fun and stress-relieving activities out there.
If you really don’t want to run winter track though, just come back in the spring season. We’ll be out there, snow or shine.
