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Motivation to Run in the Winter

January 22, 2015 By: Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC27 Comments

As I sit down to write this, the snow is falling quite heavily. I’m in Boulder, CO for a business trip and I’m so glad that I ran on the treadmill this morning because while it’s beautiful, it’s COLD. The light, fluffy wet snow coats the ground. It is not the kind of weather that makes me want to go out and run. It’s the kind of weather that makes me want to put on wool socks, brew a cup of tea and snuggle on the couch watching Netflix (hello, Friends). But yet, I will run all winter long. I wasn’t always like this. I used to be an April to October runner. The other months were just too dark, too gloomy and too COLD. However, I hated having to start from scratch every spring. I decided a couple of years ago to just bite the bullet and become a year around runner.

How to motivate yourself to run in winter

Here are my tips on how to motivate yourself to run in the winter, when all you want to do is crawl back in bed:

  • Have the right gear. I’m much more likely to head out on a run when I’m properly attired. For me, that means a solid base layer, layers on top of that, something over my ears, wool socks, and gloves with handwarmers inside. I am ESPECIALLY motivated when I’m wearing something cute. It helps, I swear! I’ve written more about that here. 
  • Have the right friends. I’m really fortunate to have many run buddies who are willing to get out there when the temperatures are bad. Honestly, having friends who are just as crazy as you are is probably one of the most important things to keep your motivation high. I look forward to meeting with my run buddies, catching up on life as we run and getting through particularly cold runs TOGETHER.
  • Have the right race plans. I recently joined a local run club (more on that in a future post!). They host a bunch of cheap or free low key races. This keeps me motivated to run. This is especially important for me because I’m not training for anything right now. I’m using these club races on the weekends to keep some mileage in my legs.

[Tweet “how do you motivate yourself to run in the winter? read my tips here:”]

Running in the wintertime can be rough, but it pays off when you’ve maintained your running fitness and are ready for spring racing.

A version of this post originally was posted at Women’s Running – you can find it here. 


Comments

  1. Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says

    January 22, 2015 at 7:30 am

    You know I am all about having the right running friends! They talk you into anything and everything 🙂
    Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…What’s inside my Popsugar Must Have Target Fitness BoxMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      January 22, 2015 at 9:24 am

      Exactly! Makes a big difference 🙂

      Reply
  2. Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says

    January 22, 2015 at 8:11 am

    Hmmm, I have all of those things and still can’t get motivated to run out in the cold!
    Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…A letter to my treadmill: 5 Reason to LOVE the treadmillMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      January 22, 2015 at 9:25 am

      But you are running – one way or the other!

      Reply
  3. Chaitali says

    January 22, 2015 at 8:31 am

    I’m having a hard time getting motivated to run this Winter but the one thing that keeps me going is knowing that I have a Spring Half that I need to be ready for! Signing up for that race early was probably the best thing as far as motivating me to get up and running in Winter.
    Chaitali recently posted…Tasty Tuesday – Kitchari (Indian rice and lentils)My Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      January 22, 2015 at 9:25 am

      Yes! That kind of motivarion always works for me 🙂

      Reply
  4. Lesley says

    January 22, 2015 at 9:27 am

    I cozy up to the treadmill. I get outside when I can, but even when the sun is out, the weather tricks me. I ran Saturday and even though it was 50 and sunny, there was a very strong wind that had some bite to it.
    Lesley recently posted…HIIT TrainingMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      January 22, 2015 at 12:01 pm

      ah the wind is my nemesis!

      Reply
  5. Jennifer @ Running on Lentils says

    January 22, 2015 at 9:33 am

    Yes to all of these! I like cold weather running & am less motivated to run when it’s hot & humid. Still, I think it’s easy for me to enjoy running through winter because of these three things! Having a running buddy is new for me this year, and I’m so grateful. I really look forward to my runs with her! I also joined a running club so I can run with them too. Also, I don’t have easy access to a treadmill, so because I have a spring goal race, I don’t have a choice but to run outside.
    Jennifer @ Running on Lentils recently posted…Five Favorite 2014 Lululemon PicksMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      January 22, 2015 at 12:02 pm

      yeah, same here with lack of treadmill access. i don’t have one and don’t belong to a gym so outside it is!

      Reply
  6. Mar @ Mar on the Run says

    January 22, 2015 at 9:48 am

    Well, you know I am allllll about running in sub zero temps 😉 glad to have you as a crazy running buddy!
    Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Thinking Out Loud v8My Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      January 22, 2015 at 12:11 pm

      haha, crazy running buddies unite!

      Reply
  7. Amy @ Mama Running for God says

    January 22, 2015 at 9:48 am

    This winter I stay motivated because I signed up for my first half marathon…and it’s in the spring! So I have to train all winter. When it’s snowing or bad out I head to Planet Fitness and use the mill, but every chance I get I run outside!
    Amy @ Mama Running for God recently posted…Top Mommy Blogger Site {Approved}My Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      January 22, 2015 at 12:26 pm

      winter training can be so tough!! good luck!

      Reply
  8. Tara @ Running 'N' Reading says

    January 22, 2015 at 10:27 am

    Courtney, I’ve always enjoyed running in the winter (it’s the heat that kills me) but having a great race plan certainly helps. The Little Rock Marathon is always the first Sunday in March, which means there are folks all over town training through the winter months, when their long runs start to get really long. This makes for some comical ice-dodging and some horrible time on the treadmill, but we get it done! I agree with you…cute clothes help, too. 😉
    Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Book Review: The Rosie Effect by Graeme SimsionMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      January 22, 2015 at 12:36 pm

      cute clothes for the win! and i’m so excited for you for little rock!

      Reply
  9. Molly @alsoranagain.com says

    January 22, 2015 at 12:34 pm

    These tips are spot-on. For me, the most important thing to motivate me to crawl out of bed to run on a cold, dark, winter morning is having a running buddy. If I know she’s out on the corner at 6:00 waiting for me to run, I have no choice but to get up and go.
    Molly @alsoranagain.com recently posted…4 Things You’ve Always Wanted to Know about Me… Or NotMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      January 22, 2015 at 5:50 pm

      yes! 100% yes – having a buddy is sometimes the ONLY reason i’m out there!

      Reply
  10. Emily says

    January 22, 2015 at 4:41 pm

    Hey! I live in Colorado! I love my state. I LOVE running in the winter. It’s just hard motivating myself to get out the door. Once I’m out there I love it.
    Emily recently posted…Simplicity and BeautyMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      January 22, 2015 at 5:50 pm

      I’ve had a lovely time in Boulder 🙂

      Reply
  11. Jen says

    January 22, 2015 at 5:09 pm

    Thanks for the inspiration! I’m about to embark on my first marathon journey and training officially starts in 3 weeks. I’m in upstate NY so I have a lot of cold dark runs in my future!. Thankfully I have some good gear and a great training buddy!
    Love your blog!
    Jen
    Jen recently posted…January:  Training to TrainMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      January 22, 2015 at 5:49 pm

      Thanks Jen! Yay for your first marathon 🙂 Just think that all those workouts will be SO worth it!

      Reply
  12. Karen Loves to Run (@karenlovestorun) says

    January 22, 2015 at 8:00 pm

    I’ve learned to enjoy running outside in the winter! This year I’ll stick to the treadmill but I’ll bundle up next year 🙂
    Karen @karenlovestorun
    Karen Loves to Run (@karenlovestorun) recently posted…Pregnancy FavoritesMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      January 22, 2015 at 11:16 pm

      Yes, totally understandable 🙂

      Reply
  13. Coco says

    January 22, 2015 at 9:49 pm

    You nailed it! I had the right gear for a while, but it wasn’t until I found MRTT (through you, actually!) that I found the right friends! I love running in Bolder – along the Bolder Creek Trail.
    Coco recently posted…A Day In My LifeMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      January 23, 2015 at 2:35 am

      I didn’t run outside this trip but next time I’m heading to that trail!

      Reply
  14. Aimee says

    January 23, 2015 at 9:22 pm

    I agree with all 3 of those! For me the biggest factor is having the right gear. I enjoy it so much more now that I have the proper wicking layers and accessories! Thanks for the post! Hopefully it encourages others to get outside during the winter!
    Aimee recently posted…FAQ Friday #4: How to fuel on a long runMy Profile

    Reply

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