Running Chat, Winter Running Challenge

Sunday, November 27, 2011 · Mike Davis

Hi everyone!

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. Now we head toward December and the Christmas season and yet we are still enjoying some great running weather. Today I ran with the local runners and you could not have asked for a better day to run. In fact it looks like we will have some great weather here in the Northeast. Here in New Hampshire there will be plenty of challenging days ahead, with weather that will chase many people to a treadmill or away from running altogether. What will it take to keep you running? For me, it will come down to 3 things; discipline, motivation and spring.

Let’s start with the discipline factor. For those that know me, they know how much discipline plays a role in my life. Maybe it’s the military background, but I tend to believe it’s my desire to overcome when others are making excuses. Don’t take that as boastful, because that’s certainly not my intent. I work extremely hard to develop a discipline that will continuously evolve who I am. I believe that it carries over into all aspects of my life. I may not be many things, but the discipline I have attained through running, has helped me to be much more dependable and self-controlled. Around 7 to 8 years ago I lost nearly 45 pounds, while some of it can be attributed to the physical act of running; the mental side was more of a factor. As my self-discipline grew with my commitment to running, my diet choices became wiser and disciplined. This will always be a battle because I like my sweets, but if I can make myself get outside on a sub teen morning, I can walk away from a chocolate chip cookie. Don’t think to long about it, just get those shoes on and get on the road!

Motivation goes hand and hand with the above. Thinking about why running is so important to me physically and mentally helps me to get motivated on those lousy days. Sure, it’s pretty difficult when the temps are down in the sub 20s and its dark out. Who would blame me for skipping a run or at worst staying inside on a treadmill! Nothing against a treadmill, however as I will talk about in a bit, a treadmill usually doesn’t work for me. So to keep it rolling throughout the winter, I have to think about such things as; discipline, accomplishment, challenge and toughness. All of these help to get me out and on the road when taking an easier path seems okay. For me, taking the easy avenue tends to make it easier to go that same direction each time. Stay motivated, think about the goals you have set and don’t choose the easy route. Easy hardly ever leads to success!

The final factor is how long winter is here in New Hampshire. Spring is not my favorite time of the year, however for me, it’s preferable to winter. Before I started winter running, I waited for spring to get here and it seemed as if it took forever! A few years back I decided I would continue my running right through the winter no matter the conditions. True to my word, I set my running schedule and I stayed with it regardless of the weather. One day I ran right after a snow storm and while it was a challenge, I somehow got in 7 miles. Not a lot of fun on some days, but between the discipline, motivation and my goal, I had a great winter! Spring seemed to get here much faster and just being outdoors throughout the winter made a great difference in my disposition. Many studies show that being outside and getting exposure to the sun prevents a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D plays a role in our moods. Not waiting for winter to end, plays an important part in motivating me to run.

So there you go, discipline motivation and bring on spring! What are you going to do this winter? My hope is that you won’t sit inside and wait for winter to pass. Get a running plan or a regular workout routine that will benefit you physically and mentally. Hook up with a partner or a group and be accountable. We are runners and runners don’t hibernate. A treadmill keeps you inside, but if you can’t bring yourself to get outside, a treadmill works. My recommendation is that you get outside at least once a week and if you have to, run on the treadmill the rest of the time. Whatever is going to keep those feet moving forward!

Running on…

mike