It’s cold out there and I DO NOT want to run outside. Anyone with me? I trained for and raced a 50 miler through the summer months and I was in the zone. Having a goal race got me out of bed each and every morning to get that mileage in regardless of how tired, sore or downright exhausted I was. Of course the scorching high temps and humidity pushed me out the door each morning too. There is something about a nice, sunny day that gets you moving. Even if it means sweating so much you can wring your shorts out.
The race came and went, my motivation stalled, and now it’s winter and I don’t want to move. My running high is long gone. And now it’s dark in the morning so I just want to stay in bed. The temps are in the 20’s and I’d rather be warm under my covers until my child wakes me. I guess I'm struggling to find my groove again.
It’s not easy this time of year. So what do we do to get out of this funk?
I think it's time to put together a plan. For me, finding an activity during the colder months and putting running on hold works best. I could force myself out of bed early every morning to run, but I don’t want to. I feel like it’s time to do things I enjoy rather than forcing the routine. Sometimes that means a run, but sometimes it is a walk or bodyweight routine done in front of the TV while still wearing my jammies. And I'm okay with that.
Physical activity is important and it’s something I need to do to get through my day. But lately I instead look at it as deliberate movement. Not forced exercise. So what's my advice during this cold season? Spend time doing what you enjoy...and don't force it.