When temperatures drop to –20 °C, the power of a group becomes a surprisingly strong source of motivation. Two local running clubs share their secrets for keeping up the pace all year long.
The Motivational Power of a Running Club
If committing to a group is a powerful antidote to procrastination, that motivation is multiplied when weather conditions are less than inviting. “The social aspect is inseparable from the joy of running,” believes Simon Bonnallie, running coach and founder of the Sexy Pace Collective. Based in Saint-Sauveur, this inclusive club brings together beginners and seasoned runners for a weekly morning run and a long trail outing. These sessions usually end over a good, steaming cup of coffee.
Pierre Gangloff of the Guépards de Saint-Eustache agrees that motivation is always stronger in a group: “When there’s a meeting point, you simply have to get up—and go. Knowing that someone is waiting for you creates a voluntary sense of accountability.”
Do We Need to Change the Way We Run?
Do these regulars adapt their training in winter? For many members of the Guépards, the cold season is primarily about “maintaining the base.” The club takes a break from intervals and more technical workouts, but keeps its weekly long run.
In winter, Pierre Gangloff compares road running to driving a car: you have to adapt to the conditions at hand. “Taking a corner with one foot in the air, your body in dynamic rotation, relying on a single point of contact on a potentially slippery surface—that’s a perfect recipe for ending up on the ground and waving goodbye to the Boston Marathon. Better to be careful at intersections!”
That said, winter terrain offers a major advantage: it helps build a runner’s overall fitness, notes Simon Bonnallie. “You work more on strength and proprioception. When footing is less stable, stabilizing muscles naturally kick in.” A great opportunity to turn every run into a full-body workout.
Dressing Properly and Running Safely
You’ve surely heard the saying: there’s no such thing as bad weather—only bad clothing. Winter runners are living proof. To stay comfortable in cold conditions, organizers from both the Guépards and the Sexy Pace Collective wear technical layers similar to what you’d choose for cross-country skiing.
The layering system allows you to add or remove thickness as needed: a technical base layer, an insulating mid-layer, and a windproof or waterproof outer shell.
Merino socks, neck gaiters, breathable hats, gloves, mittens (or both): each athlete develops their winning formula as winter settles in.
Beyond the cold, safety is the number-one priority. Slip-on ice cleats worn directly over running shoes become essential when surfaces are icy. Visibility is also key—reflective jackets and light-up accessories are growing in popularity among runners. “As fall progresses, drivers are less likely to expect runners or cyclists on the road,” points out Pierre Gangloff.
How Should You Fuel?
In cold weather, we sweat less and feel less thirsty, but our needs remain the same: proper hydration, replacing electrolytes lost during prolonged effort, and maintaining carbohydrate intake. Simon Bonnallie therefore slips gels and drink mixes into his running jacket, just as he would in any other season.
“By the way, has anyone invented a heated hydration vest yet?” jokes Pierre Gangloff. For short winter runs, the Guépards member usually waits until he’s back home to drink. For runs longer than an hour, he prefers looped routes, with a refuel stop at each pass.
Embracing the Magic of the Season
Winter may actually be the ideal season to discover running, believes Simon Bonnallie. It’s not as hot as July, the snow softens impact, and running becomes playful again. “There’s also a real sense of pride in braving the elements!”
The Guépards have their own winter tradition: crossing the ice bridge between Oka and Hudson. “Last year, we did it just before a storm,” recalls Pierre Gangloff. “I could have stayed home, drinking coffee and watching the snow fall—but I wouldn’t have kept any memory of that morning. Instead, I now have these incredible images of a group of die-hards moving through a vast, white landscape.”
Looking for a good reason to go running in January? Doing it in good company might just be the secret. One stride at a time, together, winter suddenly feels a lot less harsh.
Join the Sexy Pace Collective for a run
Discover the world of the Guépards