The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

BY SANDRA BOLAN Staff Writer ith the shortened days, double-digit sub-zero tempera- tures and snow drifts taller than the aver- age person, our natural instinct is to hibernate for the season. But as Canadian winters are long. this coping mechanism causes us to reach new heights on the scale. which transforms bikini season into tankini season, which is followed bya fall of ill-fitting clothes and the promâ€" ise to take a fresh new approach to a healthy lifestyle come the new year. But whenlan. 1 rolls around, it is once again dark and cold outside. You get the point It is much easier to live like a her- mit for six months of the year, but you’ve vowed to buck the trend and no matter the weather, you ategoing to make the most of the season â€" out- doom. Why not think out of season for a minute and consider running. You don’thavetotravelinoxdertogetto yourstam'ngpointandyoucangoas farasyouwant. Sure, you can partake in the age- old tradition of playing hockey, but the season’s already started and it’s too stereotypical anyway. N0 COTTON SHIRTS 'lhere’sahwayssnowshoeingslding or srmboarding to get you through fluewinttngettingtothesldhillsis halfthebatdesomedays. "Ihmw out the cotton shirt and wear the technical shirt, you'll feel so much better," said lyndsay Thomp- The fist step to making any out- door sport tolerable is the wardrobe Runners leave Boyd’s Source for Sports in Stoufi‘ville at the start of their weekly group run Saturday. Classes are also offered. somwhonms Boyd'sSouroeforSports Start with a base layer, then add an insulating or middle layer, which is typically a wickaway fleece top. The man-made fibres are light- weight, wick away perspiration and dryvers'qlflckly- Sm'vivingthewmterasarunneris allaboutlayers oftechnical clothing. Synthetic fabrics keep you warm by pulling the moisture away from your bodyzAndwhenyouwearmemmlay- ers, if you happen to overheat, you can takeoneofiandcarryon. If it is a particularly cold day, put an exna layer of wickaway clothing between your base and insulating lay- ers. The outer layer should again be madeofawickawayfabric, butalsobe wind and water proof. By wearing all breathable layers, your body is able to let heat and mois- ture escape, which prevents both overâ€" heating and chilling. On your legs, once again. wear wickaway layers, and if it is windy or rainy, the top layer should be a wind and waterproof shell. “The tighter the fit, the lesser the chance the air is going to go up inside," said Aaryn McInnis-Riocadonna, man- ager of Markham’s Running Room. Other pieces of clothing a runner can‘t do without during the winter are auiqueasupvvardsoprercentof a person’s bodyfs heat is lost through the head; and, a neck gaiter, which can provide additional protection on very cold days as it not only protects thefaoeandneckbutitcanbepulled over the mouth to warm the air you breathe in. Mitts are vital, sometimes in layers as well, depending on temperature. When it comés to mhners’ feet warm non-cotton socks are a must. along with snow grippers you put over your shoes. For people who want added warmth on their tender tootsies, duct tape the upper and side mesh portions oftheshoes, asthiswillkeepmewind and some of the snow out Lights, reflectors and/or visibility vestsamalsoreqmred,ifyou planon mnnhgatnightorwhenmesnaw lessens Water is also ' vital. Even though it won’t seem like it. you’re working up a sweat Therefore, you need to stay hydrated. On average. a runner needs to drink six to eight ounces of fluid every 20 minutes. ANOTHER USE FOR DUCT TAPE Once you're all ready to pound the pavement, stretch your muscles out. and once you step outside, stay out there. The first few minutes will be tough, but stick with it, keep moving. and the body will adjust to the tem- peratures and you'll get comfortable. “It’s not always about looking good (sometimes) it’s about surviving.” Mm McInnis-Riocadonna said. When on the read. sidewalk or trail, to prevent slipping. slow your pace down and shorten your stride “We get lots of aches and pains from stabilizing (our bodies) on the uneven surface," Ms Thompson said. “Listen to your body. take it slower. cut it a bit short." “Your mind wants to go faster because you’re trying to beat bore- dom,” Mrs. Mclnnis~Riccadonna added, but don’t, as injuries are most likely to occur, which can easily derail anew runner. While running in the winter ele- ments, listen to your body. Stouffville classes, group runs motivate, instruct A NewYear's resolution often made bypeopleistogetinsliapeandin particular, learn to run. We all know how to put one foot in front of the other in quick succession, but do we know how to do it in a mannerthatwillkeepushealthyandt injury-free, while making it enjoyable and challenging? Likely not. Thereareavarietyofwayspeoplecan learntonmproperlyflneisbyreseardr ingvariousprogramsonlinethatprovide sdiedulesandhelpiultipsWhen choosâ€" inganoniieorbook-basedguide, ertsuetheprogramissafeasyoudon’t wanttodotoomuditoosoon. For people who require accountability or want someone to suffer alongside you,there is the buddy system and classes that range from Ieaming to run to Ieaming to run a marathon. One such place to offer these pro- grams is Boyd's Source for Fitness. 'I try not to make it an out-ofâ€"theâ€"box program; everybody gets their own suggestions,"said instructor Lyndsay Thompson. The Boyd's leamâ€"toâ€"run program consists of a mix of walking and run- ning and the goal, at the end of the lOâ€"weeklcourse, is to complete a five km race. Although the goal is to run a Stou ' Sun-WIT“ 292009 STAFF PHOTO/BILL ROBERTS race,dass participants don'thaveto dotherace.Theimportantthingisto "pidca goal to strivetowards it'Ms Thompson said lhegoalorrewardcanbeassimpleas abuyinganewoutlitorgoingouttoa fancydinner. Worriedaboutbringinguptherearor beingleftbehindinthedass?Don'tbe. “We've got every level,_every pace. You’ ll never be alone,'Ms lhompson said.”Nobody’s as badastheythink theyare." Boyd’s currently has four programs 0n the go, and is accepting new students for a few more dayslhe leam-toâ€"run and lOâ€"km programs are 10 weeks long. Ms lhompson is also leading a 16â€"week half and full marathon program. All classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:15 pm. and Saturdays at 8:15 a.m.lhe cost for each program is $69.99. Local runners are also invitâ€" ed to come out on Saturday mornings to meet and run with other area mnners for free. All classes and the Saturday run take place from 80de Source for Sports at 21 Ringwood Dr., Stouffville. For more information, contact Lyndsay Thompson at Boyd‘s, 9056406657.