I’m taking a break from my “this week is brought to you by the letter ‘X’ blog, as I’ve had a tune running around my brain all week that I just had to share! 

I am prone to breaking into song at the mention of words that trigger a song (own up, I know I’m not the only one to do this!) AND, I often adapt words of songs to fit my running needs 😀 

 …the Proclaimers, 500 miles…and a favourite at Hanmer.. an adaptation of Elton Johns, I’m still standing!! Changing up songs like this out on a run can literally keep me smiling for hours. . . 

So this week is brought to you by a wee ditty that goes like this… ‘Running in a winter wonderland’, sung along to the Christmas classic walking in a winter wonderland tune! 

Why this song? Well, at the risk of stating the obvious – it’s cold!! Winter has arrived and I find myself in a love/hate struggle with the season. Winter is beautiful – no doubt about it. Here is Nelson at least (yes, we are the city with the most sunshine hours in NZ, I said it….with a cheeky grin on my face)

Winter is characterised by blue skies, calm seas, a backdrop of snowy mountains, and short crisp days. To look out the window you’d think you should be putting on a pair of shorts, when in actual fact, you’ll be reaching for some layers (I win the competition for most layers BTW, i’m a little hooman, with not much insulation!)

Anyway, the love/hate relationship – love the beauty, hate the cold! The answer? The correct gear, and framing all my runs in the cold as ‘great training for Naseby’. There is something just innately special about winter and crisp frost underfoot. It brings out a child like joy for me to see the trails sparkling white, and puddles iced over shattering so satisfyingly under foot as I run over them….come on, you know you do it too!? ?

So maybe it’s more love than hate after all! I always like to say, the cold isn’t so bad if you have the right gear – I just need to remind myself that just because the sun is shining doesn’t mean it’ll be warm outside! 

I’d love to see photos of your winter wonderland! Post them in the comments……Oh, and any karaoke running too, of course. ?? 

Happy winter running peeps, stay warm!