Winter running is hard. I’m one of those people that prefers the chilly temps of winter to the blazing sunshine of summer, but still, it’s hard to step out the door when your bed just feels so good and your home is so cozy.
If you set a New Year’s resolution to be more active or chase a new fitness goal, I’m willing to bet you’re struggling. If you’ve been a fitness fanatic for years and years and are a beast when it comes to attacking your goals, I’d still bet you’re struggling.
I can say that fairly confidently because I’ve been a runner since the seventh grade. I ran competitively in college for four years. And I’ve ran two marathons, an ultra-marathon, and raced a triathlon and I’m still constantly lacking motivation. Even when you’ve worked really hard to develop a habit, it can still be difficult to pry yourself from a pile of blankets, pull on your shoes, and slip out the door to train when the sky looks like chalk and wind cuts right through your hoodie to your heart as if to say, “Go back to bed!”
All of that to say, I get it. It’s much easier to hibernate through the winter months and wait for a spring greeting before putting in the miles. But if you keep wishing you’d made it out the door and keep saying, “Tomorrow. I really will go tomorrow,” then here’s a few more suggestions to throw into your arsenal of self-motivation.
Get a Running Buddy
You’ve probably heard this advice a lot but the truth is there’s quite a few of you who still haven’t heeded it. GET A RUNNING BUDDY! It’s much harder to skip a run when you have someone holding you accountable. You’ll feel a lot more guilt on bailing when someone else drug their butt out of bed in order to slog through the miles with you. If you can’t find someone to run with you, you should at least have a friend that you check in with to ask about their training and tell them about yours.
Jam Out
I used to think of listening to music on a run as too much of a luxury. I also really hated having to hold my phone or deal with the long headphone cord bouncing up and down around my neck. I recently bought a Nathan belt to hold my fuel for my Route 66 Marathon and one cold morning decided to shove my phone into it for a run while testing out the new headphones Jackson’s dad got us for Christmas. Game changer. Crank up the tunes while you’re still in the house and lacing up your shoes before you even step into the bracing cold and at least you’ll be feeling the like the star of your own music video while you jog through the gray morning. My friend Tilda also suggests listening to a good podcast or audio book.
Reward Yourself
Think of different ways to congratulate yourself. A cup of hot chocolate or an extravagant brunch; maybe some rewards happen more often than others but try to think about what makes a run worth it to YOU. Maybe after every single run you get a taste of your favorite candy, but after a successful week of not missing a beat you take yourself to your favorite bakery. My favorite rewards include an extra long shower, a second cup of coffee, and brownies with ice cream.
Remind Yourself WHY
When asked to share some advice for getting out the door to run, my friend and college teammate Chelsey said, “Mentally, I think about how much better I will feel after the run versus if I don’t go run. That gets me out the door. I’ve never regretted going for my run but always regret when I skip it.”
How do YOU stay motivated through winter training? Tell us in the comments below!
Love this!!