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You are here: Home / running / Don’t let winter freeze your motivation

Don’t let winter freeze your motivation

November 6, 2017 by MCM Mama 24 Comments

Confession: I love cold weather and I’d much rather run when I need a jacket, hat, and gloves than when it’s crazy hot and humid. But I still lose motivation to get out there and run when it’s cold out. I mean, I love it as soon as I get going, but taking that step from the warm house into the cold outside it so hard. Add in the fact that winter has seemed very grey here the last few years and you find me wanting to sit in a warm spot with a bright light on reading a book. But we all know that getting moving goes a long ways towards fighting the “blahs” that come with less sunlight during the winter.

  •  Remember your “why” – It doesn’t necessarily have to be your “why” for running, just your “why” for this particular run. Perhaps it’s a key run in your training plan or you have a particular outfit you want to wear. Whatever. I’m a firm believer that anything can be a great motivator if that’s what works for you in that moment.
  • Set mini goals – Sometimes it’s hard to start a run, knowing you have to be out in the cold for an extended period of time. Some days, I make it a goal just to get out there and get started. Once I’ve warmed up, I set A,B, and C goals (or more if I hope to run longer.) Something about being able to say that I’m halfway to my minimum mileage motivates me. And 9 times out of 10, I’ll end up running closer to my final goal than my minimum goal.
  • Use your village – Find someone to join you or at least to find help make you accountable. 
  • Harness the doubters in your life – We all have them. Use them. If the thought of proving them wrong gets you out the door, you win.
  • Reward yourself – Or at least tell yourself you will. I’ll run for beer or donuts or pizza, but just as often I’ll run for the idea of it.
  • Run because it makes you a bada$$ – Now, you know I don’t condone running in unsafe conditions, but running in the winter is bada$$. Period. Do it and brag about it. 
  • Set a big scary goal – Signing up for a race usually motivates me – either to run faster or to run farther.  Pick a goal and create a plan and get to work.
  • Just get it done – There will be days that you just don’t want to do it. And it’s totally ok to not do it sometimes. But if you have race goals or health goals or just plain need the mental pickup, sometimes you just have to find your mental strength and take that first step. Because that first step is always the hardest.

I’ve been struggling since MCM, in part because I don’t have a big scary goal out there right now. I’m still toying with the idea of marathon redemption, but honestly, it’s been good to actually have time to accomplish some non-running goals. Maybe it’s time to focus on running faster rather than farther for a while. I’m hoping to have a solid race on Sunday at the Woodrow Wilson Half Marathon to get an idea what my speed actually is these days.

What’s your motivator these days? Is it different in the winter than in the summer?

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Filed Under: running Tagged With: cold, motivation, tips, Tuesdays on the Run, winter

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Comments

  1. Lisa @ Mile by Mile says

    November 7, 2017 at 4:54 am

    I definitely have less motivation in the winter. I tend to not worry as much about distance or pace, and just try to get out there consistently. I think most days I would rather run in the cold than not run at all!
    Lisa @ Mile by Mile recently posted…Workouts, Wedding Weekend, and Treadmill Tempo RunMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 7, 2017 at 6:28 pm

      This year I don’t have any spring goals (as of yet), so I’m just trying to keep my 100 mile month streak alive.

      Reply
  2. Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says

    November 7, 2017 at 5:29 am

    ALL great tips, Erika! Winter makes it sooooooo hard to get out there. So sometimes I don’t — that’s why I have a treadmill. I don’t love running on a treadmill, yet I actually think “in the long run” it helps me.

    Having that big goal — that’s what always works for me!
    Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Love is all you needMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 7, 2017 at 6:27 pm

      Oh, yeah, having a treadmill is so helpful. I usually choose outside if it’s at all sunny, regardless of the temps, but sometimes the treadmill saves me.

      Reply
  3. Melissa says

    November 7, 2017 at 5:34 am

    I’m not a fan of winter running. The dark and cold and icy sidewalks- ugh! I need to change my attitude though and try some of these tips. And also get a treadmill so I can stay inside some days!
    Melissa recently posted…Tuesdays on the Run: Step Challenge – Week 1My Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 7, 2017 at 6:26 pm

      Thankfully, we don’t deal with ice too often and I can run during the day, but I do still utilize my treadmill. Today I ran on it because it was 43 and rainy. I can and have run in that kind of weather, but it sure was nice to run inside in a skirt and running bra…

      Reply
  4. Megan @ Meg Go Run says

    November 7, 2017 at 5:39 am

    It definitely helps to have a buddy to run with when it’s freezing, especially for the long runs!
    Megan @ Meg Go Run recently posted…My running rut.My Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 7, 2017 at 6:25 pm

      Yes, definitely better with friends.

      Reply
  5. Lacey@fairytalesandfitness says

    November 7, 2017 at 6:21 am

    I’d rather run in the summer when it is hot and humid because that actually doesn’t bother me. I hate bundling up in the winter with extra layers and hat and gloves. That is when I usually take it to the mill.
    Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…She’s coming back…with some distractionsMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 7, 2017 at 6:25 pm

      Humidity destroys my running. I struggle so hard with it.

      Reply
  6. Heather @ HeatherRunsFast.com says

    November 7, 2017 at 7:18 am

    Living in FL, our winter is probably less cold than your fall, haha, but I keep motivated because I love it! Having a race to look forward to doesn’t hurt either!
    Heather @ HeatherRunsFast.com recently posted…The ZOO & Back At ItMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 7, 2017 at 6:24 pm

      Yeah, your winter is probably my favorite, but I could not handle your summer.

      Reply
  7. Wendy says

    November 7, 2017 at 7:26 am

    My motivation these days is fear of stopping! In all seriousness, staying strong and fit is a pretty big motivator for me. Although like you, I do like to have a race on the calendar…
    Wendy recently posted…8 Rockin’ Songs for Your Running PleasureMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 7, 2017 at 6:24 pm

      I totally get that. I know that if I stop running, I don’t cope as well, so I sometimes just have to make myself do it.

      Reply
  8. Becca | Rabbit Food Runner says

    November 7, 2017 at 8:27 am

    I definitely find that running with a group helps me too!
    Becca | Rabbit Food Runner recently posted…How to Stay Motivated in the WinterMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 7, 2017 at 6:21 pm

      Even when I don’t run with them, we have a really active Facebook group, so that keeps me motivated too.

      Reply
  9. Darlene says

    November 7, 2017 at 10:15 am

    A big race is always my motivator and of course, so is food at the end of every long run.

    Having a friend waiting also gets me out there.

    On the whole, I HATE running in the cold weather and all those layers….ugh!!!
    Darlene recently posted…TOTR: Winter MotivationMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 7, 2017 at 6:23 pm

      My perfect weather involves long sleeves and capris, but I’d still rather wear all the layers than wring sweat out of my skirt.

      Reply
  10. Kim G says

    November 7, 2017 at 11:54 am

    I like setting mini goals and doing themed raced in the winter, especially around the holidays.

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 7, 2017 at 6:22 pm

      I do love a good theme race, even if I’m not much of a costume girl.

      Reply
  11. Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner says

    November 7, 2017 at 4:06 pm

    We are lucky to have such a fabulous support group with MRTT
    Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner recently posted…How To Create a Pinterest Worthy Cheese BoardMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      November 7, 2017 at 6:22 pm

      Indeed!

      Reply
  12. Marcia says

    November 8, 2017 at 6:19 am

    I much prefer the cold as well. It’s the ice and unsafe roads that give me pause. I’ve been running for fun for so long that’s why I turned to triathlon. The Gasparilla Amber challenge is going to keep me going this winter….I hope…
    Marcia recently posted…5 Keys to Staying MotivatedMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Nina says

    November 8, 2017 at 7:54 am

    I don’t really loose motivation in the winter but i hate hate hate running in the cold. Your lungs practically freeze, your cannot move as freely in winter clothes and also I have to admit I’m a little bit scared of slippery icy roads. Which is why I usually switch to indoor exercise. But I love your tip on doing it because it makes you a bada$$! This one might actually make me try! 🙂
    Nina recently posted…The Pregnancy Project workout DVDs ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
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Who is MCM Mama?
A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath, and has a minor addiction to the Marine Corps Marathon.

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