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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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 Run
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.
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 need
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.
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 1
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…
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.
Yes, definitely better with friends.
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 distractions
Humidity destroys my running. I struggle so hard with it.
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 It
Yeah, your winter is probably my favorite, but I could not handle your summer.
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 Pleasure
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.
I definitely find that running with a group helps me too!
Becca | Rabbit Food Runner recently posted…How to Stay Motivated in the Winter
Even when I don’t run with them, we have a really active Facebook group, so that keeps me motivated too.
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 Motivation
My perfect weather involves long sleeves and capris, but I’d still rather wear all the layers than wring sweat out of my skirt.
I like setting mini goals and doing themed raced in the winter, especially around the holidays.
I do love a good theme race, even if I’m not much of a costume girl.
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 Board
Indeed!
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 Motivated
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! 🙂
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