A Smart Approach to the Challenge: Running Strategies by Bart Dawidek

Winter running can be demanding. Short days, cold air, no sun, and that strange feeling of being stuck between seasons. I know this period all too well. Many runners lose their rhythm in winter, the form starts to fade, and that’s exactly why I was happy to see ENTHST launch a challenge that isn’t “art for art’s sake,” but a true test of consistency and mental strength. Let me be clear: this won’t be a game for casual runners. To avoid burning yourself out, you should already be running and have built some mileage. So if you’re thinking about taking on this challenge — you should already be running. And if you are running, do it wisely.

Let me say this directly, though gently: if someone runs irregularly — once a week or less — then 50 kilometers in nine winter days is simply too much. For me, the reasonable entry point is a runner who regularly covers around 100 km a month and feels stable at that mileage.

On the other hand, the New Year challenge is a bold one: 26 km in a single day! What matters here is whether you regularly do longer runs in the double digits. If so, you’ll handle it with your finger in your… nose :) If not, you can still try — but only in a very easy form. Think run-walk, listening to your body, and always keeping some energy in reserve. In that case, bring gels — ideally the ones included in the prize pool for this challenge. A long run without fuel always ends worse than planned! Remember, you have plenty of time to complete those 26 km.

You might now be wondering: “Okay, but how do I split the 50 km?” So let me propose two strategies.
The first: 12 / 8 / 10 / 8 / 12 — and I want to strongly emphasize that rest days are just as important as the runs themselves.
My second, more challenging option: 5 / 10 / 10 / 10 / 15. You start light and finish strong, with rest days tying it all together. Both options make sense if you understand that winter fatigue hits faster, which means recovery is not optional — it’s essential.

And if you’re thinking about doing both challenges — the 50 km and the 26 km — here’s another, more relaxed strategy. In that setup, from December 24th to 31st you only need to plan 24 km, and then run the 26 km on January 1st. I suggest: 12 / 6 / 6 / 26. Simple and safe for runners who aren’t following a structured training plan but want to take on both challenges smartly. Just remember: strength training is a must. Without it, long-term healthy running is almost impossible.

I know that daily running looks impressive on Strava, but over time it drains your mental freshness and puts your body under heavy strain. I’m joining the challenge myself, and for me, strategy No. 1 wins.
Personally, I believe that 10 km every other day is far better than 5–6 km every day — it gives your body the space it needs to recover and rebuild.

But before we even head out the door, we MUST take care of the basics. The most important things in winter running are sensible clothing and proper shoes. Below 5°C I never go out without a neck warmer and a hat covering my ears — and I never skip a warm-up. A short 3–4-minute miniband routine is my ritual: glute activation, quads, and warming up the ankles. It might seem small, but it makes a massive difference. After that, I head out quickly, without wandering between rooms, dogs, and my son’s toys. Starting a run properly prepared boosts my comfort a hundredfold!

Running — including winter running — has taught me a lot, and through it I’ve become a coach who focuses on the overall positive development of the athlete. Endurance, a strong core, powerful legs and glutes — but above all, a healthy relationship with effort. Personal bests matter, but I see them not as a goal, but as a side effect of a good training process. I want to share knowledge and help my athletes train in a way that keeps them running long-term and in good health. Patience, small steps, consistency — these principles guide me, and I try to instill them in others.

That’s why in this challenge I see something more than just “checking off the distance” and grabbing an entry into the prize draw. I wish you — and us — that by taking on the 50 km and/or 26 km with ENTHST, we enter the new year building a foundation you simply can’t create in spring. I encourage you to take up the challenge and get ahead of those who will only start with their New Year’s resolutions. Winter running builds character!

And one last important thing! Among the prizes is a six-month coaching partnership with — well — me. I suggested a full six months because it gives enough time for real change, for building a relationship, understanding your mindset, and seeing genuine progress — not just a short training burst.

Join the challenge at your own pace and with a healthy approach. Who knows — maybe we’ll end

up working together and build something that will stay with you for a long time. GOOD LUCK! :)

Bart Dawidek
Coach and running enthusiast