Monday, December 15, 2014

Winter #Running (...and why it drives me bonkers)

I'm in a Winter running funk right now. This happens every year to me. It's always a struggle because I just...ugh, the treadmill. I can't. And it's not so much that I hate running in the cold because as long as it's not icy, it really doesn't bother me. It's the fact that it gets dark so early, and the fact that I can't get out when it's light because of the kiddos and/or my work schedule. Unless it's the weekend, but running once a week just doesn't cut it for me. So right now, I'm in a funk. And I'm struggling to get in three runs a week (which is what I'm used to).

I did, however, get out for a 5K yesterday.

I turned on Songza, and the first tune that played was "Push It" by Salt-n-Pepa. So I did:

I wanted to run, and I wanted to run fast—which got me a new PR.

Today was another scheduled running day, but it didn't happen because I went on a quick shopping trip to make use of an Old Navy gift card that was burning a hole in my pocket. And when I say "quick shopping trip," what I really mean is "drive 45 minutes away to the nearest Old Navy." Ugh.

So I'm looking at Thursday as my next opportunity to run because:

Tuesday: Spinning + Core
Wednesday: Barre Fit

And that's why Winter running drives me bonkers.
Because when I teach, I don't have time for personal workouts, too.
I'd run at night, but...too dark to go out once the kids go down (and no treadmill at home).

In the summer, I was running later at night and it was working out perfectly.

But that ain't happenin' now. Mostly because I'm afraid of running in the dark.

So what am I doing to keep myself motivated?

1) Signing up for virtual races when there aren't any live races close by. See above, Jost Running is awesome. (I just signed up for the See How Far I've Come 10K!)

2) Listening to awesome running podcasts on the treadmill, and then hopping off the treadmill to make use of the track (to break up the monotony of running indoors).

3) Thinking about upcoming races. Like a local Frozen 5K in February, and maybe a return to the Chicago Women's Half Marathon in the summer. Or perhaps my first Zooma race. So many options, all totally motivating. (

4) Reading Runner's World and absorbing all the tips and motivation therein.

5) Meeting up with a local running group as often as I can (although lately, I haven't been able to make many of the runs for whatever reason).

6) ...

Question: How do you stay motivated when you find yourself in a running funk and/or during your off season?

4 comments:

Kristen K. said...

This post is so me right now! Here in Anchorage it gets dark at 3:30 and it's not like the sun is overhead during the day anyways so it's a STRUGGLE. I forced myself to run right as the sun was setting last week and it actually wasn't that bad - Anchorage has lighted trails and they're super busy in the after work hours so I felt pretty safe. But I still can't force myself to go running if it's truly dark out. And I'm being stingy and putting off joining the gym to save money. I know this is tough money wise, but did you ever think about buying a treadmill? Before we moved here we had our own and I think we bought it at Walmart for a little less than $300. It's a lot of money but I got so much use out of it and could run whenever I wanted! It's the only way I was able to train for my first half marathon last February. Anyways, good luck with your running. Hopefully we can both get it together soon!

Samantha said...

I just hate the winter, once its gets below 50 I get cranky. I'm training for a March half marathon! Discovered where I once coveted running on the treadmill, I can't stand it now after spending the past 4 months only running outside, but some days the treadmill may be my only option! Thankfully my work schedule allows me to run around 8am, but once it dips in to the 30s and/or snowy/rainy it's a fight to get out. My training calendar is what forces me to do it (as in today, its overcast and dreary and barely 40, but I have to get out for 30-40 minutes of breathing work....). Sign up for something that forces you to get the runs would be my suggestion....but if you find anything else, please let me know :)


Sam
TravelRunLive.wordpress.com

adailydoseoffit said...

I'm totally contemplating races for next year! I've always started my "season" in the Summer, but am hopeful to sign up for something in the Spring this time around. Because you're right, having something to train for makes all the difference!

adailydoseoffit said...

Lighted trails sound awesome! I'm glad they're safe. And yes, I totally want a treadmill for the house! I'm at the gym every day, so I have access to them there, but...it's where I work, right? Sometimes I just want to go home which is I think becomes a huge factor in my distaste for running on the treadmill. But maybe if I had one at home it would be different. When I lived at home (years ago), my parents had one and they set it up near a TV. It's how I caught up on all the episodes of "Sex and the City". Haha! Perfect running material.

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