So with that in mind, on Twitter this week we looked how to stay motivated at this time of year. Here are some tips, both from ourselves and from some of our followers.
When its cold and wet outside its easy to think your way out of a run, but that’s all you’re doing, being beaten by the mental barrier – there are ways you could conquer it …
1) When it gets cold leave your kit on the radiator overnight so it’s toasty warm in the morning ready to hit the road
2) Don't skimp on heating - if your bedroom is warm you’re more likely to want to get out from under the duvet and out for a run
3) Hate the outside that much? Join a gym and use a treadmill - still doing your normal sessions but indoors isn't going to hurt, yes it’s not quite the same as running on the roads but anything is better than nothing and for some it’s a much preferred safer option than lonely dark nights | "Yes its cold. Yes its dark. Get over it - we live in the UK! It’s cold and dark half the year" |
5) Failing all this … Yes its cold. Yes its dark. Get over it - we live in the UK! It’s cold and dark half the year! #keepcalmandcarryon
Often it’s just about being comfortable on your run which basically comes down to kit, get that right and your half way there …
6) Lay your kit out the night before - that way you'll be quicker to get out the door and less time putting it off faffing for kit
7) Laying your kit out the night before also affirms your intention that 'I will do this' whatever the weather in the morning. The same goes for hitting the gym after work? Pack your bag the night before already lays half the ground work to getting there – no excuses when you run out of time on the morning and conveniently forget to pack stuff!
8) Get the right gear - there's nothing worse than being uncomfortable on a run because you’re too wet or too cold - let Santa come early ...
9) Treat yourself to nice bits of kit (really nice – fashionable stuff, if that floats your boat over more drab lycra, to make you feel good about yourself!) 'because you’re going to do XYZ' and remind yourself this when you wear them on your run
Create a focus and don’t lose sight of it
It’s much easier to do things when you understand why it is that you’re doing them, and running is no different, so if you don’t know why you’re heading out the door in the cold dark nights then chances are that motivation might well be tested. Here are a few thoughts to goals …
10) Strategically place reminders of your goals around you to be reminded why you do it - a picture in gym bag or on the fridge?
11) On that note have a goal and some smaller short term ones in the lead up to it - club handicap, weekly mileage, longest run ...
12) Don't even be subtle - find a marker pen and write in BOLD LETTERS on a card what your goal is an stand it next to your alarm
13) If you run after work leave a card on the dashboard of your car - even if it just says "JUST DO IT" of whatever your mantra
14) Start something this weekend - do a parkrun now and set a goal to redo it in 6 weeks – the frst of 2013 – that alone might be enough to keep you of the mince pies
15) Plan your week out ahead on a Sunday night - that way you’re more likely to stick to it whatever the weather and get out - cross each session off too as you progress through them for added satisfaction
Some people don’t necessarily respond to goals per say, but there are other ways to find motivation from others – even if ‘others’ is just a former version of yourself …
16) Use a rival as motivation ... can't get out of bed think "what will ___ be doing right now?"
17) Not really got a rival as such, use an idol as motivation ... what would they do - think like a champ not a chump!
18) Did running change your life? Dig out that pic of your former unfit self - and remind yourself who you are today and why!
19) Dig your old training diaries out and see what you were doing this time last year - it might just give you a better perspective
A change is as good as a rest (or is it what you need to stop a skive!)
Do you just basically need to change something to refresh your routine? Could you pick out a few ‘marginal gains’ to tweak that routine of yours and get your mojo back?
20) Change your scenery - make a day of it even a drive somewhere for your long run on a Sunday stopping for lunch on the way back
21) Change your scenery 2 - drive to work? why not stop off half way, park up and head for a run, it breaks up the commute too
22) Change your scenery 3 – always do the same routes … do them backwards, do them in loops, do them at different times of the day or get out of that comfort zone and do a different one!
24) Change your tune! To an audio book! Running doesn’t have to be boring - maybe a book could take your mind off it
25) Change your tune! To a podcast – pick one related to your work or studies and kill 2 birds with one stone – multitask your professional and physical development
26) Make sure you still do sessions – don’t fall into a mileage trap - intervals also make time fly - keep them simple but structured
27) Don't like running with people? Run with a pet! Even if you just jog the dog round the block to warm up it’s a start out the door!
28) Follower a blogger or someone on twitter who you know posts their training - seeing what they’re up to might give the boost you need
29) Read stuff about running - it might turn you into a running geek but every article your read reminds you about what you do and why
30) Read #chimpparadox if you’re really struggling to get your head around things - its a must have for your stocking!!
Over to you …
RT @kc_43: @NorthEastRunne1 Find a rival at a similar level or slightly better and declare war on them. Hate yourself if you lose to...
RT @lainee_liu: @NorthEastRunne1 Join a club, they run all year round.
RT @ross_il: @NorthEastRunne1 take December and January off the previous year and kill yourself when you return to running in February....
RT @stevecathutch: Run time. A bit of bad weather won't stop me getting in shape. #nosuchthingasbadweatheronlyunsuitableclothing
North East Runner would like to thank all the Twitter followers who joined in this conversation and we hope it helps those who are suffering a lack of motivation at this time of year.
You can join our 1,000+ Twitter followers at @Northeastrunner1