Staying Motivated Through the Winter Chill
Written by Jill // February 22, 2010 // Training // 9 Comments // 640 views
Picture this, it’s 5:00 am in the middle of winter, the thermometer reads 15°, there is fresh snow on the ground with a wind blowing 15 mph from the northwest. Some of us get up, throw on our shoes and head out the door. Some of us stay in bed. In conditions like this, more often than not it is difficult to find motivation to run.
Recently I faced a possible training slump as January turned bitter cold and February dumped inches upon inches of snow on us. As I began my transition from base building to marathon training I needed more time to get my runs in as my weekly mileage began to increase. The thought of another 10 miler (or more) on the treadmill became a nagging reminder that I was no longer looking forward to my daily runs as I had been only a few weeks earlier.
Take, for example, January 31st, officially the coldest day I’ve ever run. It was 11° that morning when I set out for my run. Snow was forcing me to the streets which are much more dangerous in these winter months. Speeding drivers talking on their cell phones scare me enough as it is, but throw some black ice into the mix and I feel like I’m taking my own life into my hands every time I run out the door.
Yet, I continue to head outdoors for my runs. Call me crazy, but those miles always pass so much quicker when I have something interesting to look at, even if my views are limited by darkness and the ray of my own light. I have found a couple of new ways to help me stay motivated through this cold winter of ours.
First of all, I recently called a neighbor whom I knew was a runner and asked her if she’d like to join me a couple mornings a week for some miles. We’ve been meeting up twice a week just before 6:00 am and heading out for an easy run. Not only have I found some early morning running motivation but I’ve met someone new at the same time.
Meeting up early for those runs with my neighbor has motivated me to get up early for my other runs during the week. Now I pop out of bed at 5:00 am in the dead of winter and head out for a longer mid-week run or a speed session. A year ago I would have told you that was crazy talk. Never would I face the early winter chill just to get in a run. Never say never. Isn’t that what we’ve always heard?
Another way to stay motivated through the winter is to stay focused on the bigger picture. Set reminders in plain sight which we can look at on a daily basis. If it’s a race that you’re training for, write your goal time on a piece of paper and stick it somewhere you will see it, on the refrigerator, for instance. Or get a race poster and put it up on your door. I have a marathon poster in front of my treadmill which I stare at during those indoor runs.
Here’s a third way to stay motivated during those frigid runs: visualization. I do this frequently. I imagine the sweltering heat of summer, those oppressively dripping-with-sweat slogs through walls of humidity. Do you know what I’m dreaming of in the summer? Winter runs! So, now that it’s winter I try to enjoy the cool air because before you know it we’ll all be complaining about the heat.
I have also found that having good running gear helps me deal with the cold so much better. Mock turtleneck running shirts, a wind breaker (preferably bright and reflective), fleece, a hat and good gloves or mittens do the trick pretty nicely. Although you will often see me running without gloves. My running partners think I’m nuts.
Finally, a great running motivator during those cold runs is the hot shower afterward. I know that no one will disagree with me on that one.
What do you find helps motivate you to continue running through the winter?
9 Comments on "Staying Motivated Through the Winter Chill"
I love to run in the cold temperatures. Besides the chill, that gets my blood pumping, I simply love the landscape. When I look ahead into the stark winter sky my thoughts escape my head and I just relax and go.
I love running in the winter. What hampers me is the darkness, because like you I do not like the added risk of being hit by a car, and (new for me this year) foot upon foot of snow that buries my little park I like to run in. But what motivates me is the visual effect: the stark, cold landscape, cozy houses with smoke rising out of the chimneys and warm yellow lights from the windows, a blanket of virgin snow on a rolling hill with the sun hitting it just right, 3-feet icicles–it’s a sensory feast. I also, like you, think about the oppressive heat during the summer months, which is my LEAST favorite time of year to run, and I find myself feeling very thankful for the coldness.
I’m not a fan of running in the cold, but I prefer being outside in the winter and dealing with what Mother Nature can throw at us rather than being on a treadmill in a gym. I always find that getting through the first 10 or 15 minutes of a cold run is the worst part, after that its not really that bad.
A big motivator for me is how far into the winter season it is already, and how long until spring arrives .. you have to take the best of what you can when its cold, so focusing on the sunrise, the crisp air and the feeling of peacefulness that is out there early in the morning generally does the trick.
One thing i’ve learned this year with training for a marathon in the winter weather is how important plotting out a good course that limits your exposure to the wind. By not running directly in the wind whenever possible and avoiding the wind later in the run when you’re probably more sweaty d.. thats where I really get cold (more likely on 10+ milers). The old adage is true, the wind chill is usually worse than the air temperature.
Good post with good tips, thanks.
The worst are the headwinds. Take two steps forward, one step back. Nothing saps the energy out of you like that. Not even the big hills. Then the wind cuts right through you, chilling you to the bone. Lovely, lovely. Still, it beats staring at the same scene on a treadmill for an hour or two.
Spring can’t come soon enough.
What motivates me in the winter is the fact that at age 67, I’m still able to get out the door and run. Most of my runs are run at a state park. The beauty and the serenity of the winter is really key to my running.
Toni – I completely agree with you, running in the snow is definitely beautiful!
Elizeth – I can just imagine how good the smell of a burning fire smells at dusk. I rarely get to experience that at 5am.
jokach – I think you’re right about that 10-15 minute timeframe and getting warmed up. Even in the summer a warmup lasts that same length of time before I feel like I’m ready to really run.
Matt – I forgot about those headwinds. Luckily it’s generally not that windy in the early hours of the morning. Today, however, is a different story.
Bob – You are so right! And I hope that I am able to run when I’m 67 as well. What is your secret?
Jill,
Thanks for your comments. There really isn’t any secret. I accept aging and the slow down ,but I love to be a part of running because it does make me fill young. Bob
I have been running outside year-round since 1978, and what gets me though the winter (after Dec. 21) is the day-by-day lengthening of the days. I’m running by 5 a.m., and even though it’s still dark, there are different degrees of darkness. As the winter ages, the dark gets lighter, and that’s such a powerful symbol of hope that it keeps me going. Another thing that helps: Layers. Lots of layers. It also helps to be obsessive.
Anyone in the Schnecksville area that is interested in running in the morning please contact me! thanks