How to Stay Motivated in the Cold Weather Months

How to stay motivated in cold weather is a common question by many beginner runners and athletes of other sports.

Winter is finally here. I don't know about all of you, but winter here in Tennessee really doesn't feel like winter at all.

Temperatures here the last few weeks have been hovering in the mid 30's to upper 40s, sometimes warmer.

This is not what I am accustomed to.

I trained in Colorado Springs for the past 6 years. It was not always easy.

I remember days where it was below 0. In addition, I spent a lot of time jumping from road to sidewalk just to find proper footing.

So how do you stay motivated on cold days?

I was reviewing some of the runnersworld running forums and thought this would be a good subject to post about.

Why Are You Running?

I find this is a great tool to get the motivation you need to get out the door on a very cold day.

You have to find someway of motivating yourself. No one really cares if you go out or not. You simply can take action or choose not to. In addition, I have found reminding myself of why I am going out in better temps to run keeps me focused.

This is a very simple but powerful tool you can use to overcome any weather condition.

Use Power Thoughts

These could be

I am strong

I am determined

this is too easy

You have to change your physiology.

I usually call rain and sleet ‘liquid sunshine'.

Furthermore, I don't know where I heard the term but it stuck with me.

Billy Mills, said it best,

The subconscious mind cannot tell the difference, between reality or imagination

If you have to see as pleasure what most people see as painful to get results.

Personal success is not a matter of chance; its a matter of managed emotions, focused attention and deliberate action.

Read Uplifting Books For Cold Weather Motivation

I am a Christian so the Bible is the most powerful, motivating book I read.

In addition, I try to read anything that is uplifting or educational and this simply tops the list.

You have to get your hands on as much positive, uplifting, rejuvenating material you can get because running is not always easy.

What are some books that motivate you or that you want to purchase? You will have some days where you simply don't want to go to run.

These little jewels do the trick in offsetting those lazy feelings we all get.

I certainly have used this strategy over the years.

I just recently read Gerard Hartmann new book ‘Born to Perform: How Sport Has Shaped My Life'.

That is a great, motivational book.

He was a 7-time Ireland National Triathlon Champion who fell off his bike during a training ride. Gerard was going nearly 60 miles per hour. This accident ended his career.

He then took that disappointment to become the world's most sought after Physical Therapist and now works full time at his clinic in Limereck, Ireland.

Read, it is a very easy way to keep you motivated on days where motivation can run low. How to stay motivated in the cold is simply choosing to. People naturally complain as if it will change the temperatures.

Stay Focused

We all usually make things out to be far worse than they really are.

Running consistently everyday is a choice and mindset.

Our body produces endorphins which give us the so-called “Runners High”.

Have you heard of that term before?

I wanted to place a short clip of my friend, Ryan Hall, who discusses how he stays motivated.

Watch Informative Videos

You can visit runnerstribe.com which also has a wide variety of videos which deal with a lot of issues revolved around motivation.

Running is about remaining consistent.

You don't necessarily have to be out there 7 days a week. That being said, when the weather is bad remember the best runners on the planet deal with this.

You simply have to find a happy medium in your preparation.

We can't control the weather, control temperatures but we can control how we will deal with the environment. So, your mindset is crucial in being effective in accomplishing your goals.

Listen To Music

There is nothing wrong with listening to music while doing a long run or on easy recovery days. It can get your mind off of the amount of mileage you have let to run.

My wife, a 3.23 marathoner, wears headphones in her speed workouts.

I have done this countless times preparing for some of my races. How to stay motivated in cold weather is focusing on the end goal. What is it you are seeking to do? Are you interested or are you committed?

Folks in the running community seem to think national class to elite runners should not use them. I disagree. Do what works best for you.

I have found that this is one of the best ways to get you out the door when weather is not cooperating.

Music produces endorphins and take your mind off of the conditions and this can be a huge tool for you whether you're a beginner or an elite.

Change Your State

Regardless what your goal is.

You will have to get out the door, no matter what the conditions may be like.

I have trained in the worst training conditions the good Lord could throw at me and still got out and ran.

Why?

I had my goal in mind and weather simply was not on my mind.

You have to get in a state of mind, change your state.

Closing Thoughts

I hope these tips will truly make a difference and help you this year and for the years to come.

I am not going anywhere and will continue to write to help other runners.

My gift is running. That being said, it is my duty and obligation to help you get better results and faster.

If you have something on your heart, a question you need answered please contact me. How to stay motivated in cold weather is going to come down to your level of enthusiasm.

What are the things that have kept you from getting out the door on tough days? I'd love to hear it.

Make sure to subscribe to the RunDreamAchieve YouTube channel. I create new videos each week to help runners such as yourself get to the next level. There are also running courses and monthly, online coaching available here at rundreamachieve. You can view these options by looking at the navigation menu at the top of this website. I hope this post on how to stay motivated in the cold weather has been helpful to you.

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How To Stay Motivated in Cold Weather