The more you run the better, if you have the time to run 5 days a week. The novice 3 day plan will give you a basic level of fitness and enough to maintain fitness. The intermediate 5 days a week run will also improve fitness as you progress through the plan. Running in winter here is not bad. Depends on when you run. If early morning then you will need gear to suit, if around 5pm you probably have enough gear already. Gear for early morning runs when really cold. Running tights, cotton gloves, beanie, buff. lightweight running jersey and if windy a cycling gilet or running rain jacket to keep the cold wind off the chest. You will also have to consider lights if your route is not lit by street lights, head lamp or torch in hand. For safety if running in the dark some fluorescent strips i.e belt, ankle straps or vest, so that you light up and reflect for any traffic Personally, I prefer running early morning for similar reasons as Wayne described. Cold air on the cheeks definitely invigorates.
