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Cold Weather Blahs? This May Help.

© Lynn Seely

How do you stay motivated when the weather turns cold? Good question. I have posted a few creative ideas that other runners say works for them. Perhaps one of these will inspire you when you notice your resolve dissolve. Hope you enjoy their ideas and tips on how to stay motivated during the winter months.

Thanks to everyone who submitted them!

Glen wrote:

Being very goal orientated, I plan the year in December/January. What primary races, marathons that I want to perform at. Then add in some others that I would like to try. I then plan the year - place the goal races at the end of build-ups with a sprinkling of races added in to assist in sharpening. With the race plan in hand, I then plan the training. This then becomes my task list. Checking off each task (training day) keeps me on the plan. I may move the training tasks around a little due to extreme weather, but I am motivated to go out and get the training done to stay with the plan. The other plus is that I will draw strength from those horrible training outings in the later stages of a race. When it gets very difficult, I remember the efforts and sacrifices that I have gone through, and tell myself that it would be a shame to waste the 'character' those outings built and wimp out now.

John from New York wrote: "I stay motivated because of what I find at the end of my run. Food! Where I live, New York City, there is always someplace to eat open anytime of the day or night. So if I run in the morning, which is my usual time to run, I will head over to my favorite spot for an after-run breakfast. I always carry some dry clothes with me to change into and the owner of the place is a runner too, so he doesn't mind if I change in the bathroom. In fact as soon as they see me come in, they start my breakfast for me so that it's ready for me as soon as I change. It has become my tradition and it always keeps me motivated!"

Janet wrote: "I live in Texas and I belong to a really great running club. We all meet up 5 days a week before work at one of the member's homes, have a cup of

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