It is definitely not as rewarding as when I was teaching but it still is awesome.

Though I was meeting my bff for dinner last night, I had to squeeze in a run before today’s big storm (who knows when I’ll be able to run outside again?)

Today I had the whole day free (and my hubby had to work).  I got so much done:

• did a plank (woo hoo!)
• did my taxes (not happy about how much we have to pay 😦 )
• worked on my knitted sock
• read a bit
• watched the last episode of Downton Abbey
• made a casserole for dinner (I don’t cook much)
• went to the movies (This month’s RW magazine made me want to see this Bruce Dern movie. Did you know he was a serious runner?)

Quite a productive day.  The snow has stopped…we have at least 12″ and tomorrow I will be back at work.  I’ll probably opt for the treadmill  and venture out on the road on Friday.

This weekend I have a long run planned…will the bike path be plowed?

 So how to you stay motivated to run in the winter?

• Buy proper winter running clothes – tights, hat, gloves, jacket.  It is not fun running when you are too cold. Also, dress for warmer than it is.  It is also unpleasant to run when you are overdressed.  Wear layers so you can shed one if you are warm. New clothes that are fun and bright are motivating, as well.

• Run somewhere scenic – a park, a bike path.  Vary your routes. Running on the same road gets boring.

• Grab a running buddy or  join a running group.  Chatting makes the miles go faster.  Having to meet someone gets you out the door.

• Put some new music on your phone or iPod. Playlists gets stale. It’s nice to have some new tunes to motivate you on those cold days.

• Join a challenge such Run with Jess’ Winter Miles Challenge. They are free. You can also win prizes.

• Sign up for a spring race. I signed up for a half marathon on March 30. Knowing that this race is coming up pushes me through these cold months to stay in running condition.

• Have a plan B. I always bring outdoor clothes to run after work but I also have clothes there to run indoors on the treadmill.  So I have no excuse. I can do either. So if the roads are too slippery, I run on the treadmill.

• Use the treadmill for short runs only. Go outside no matter how cold to do your longer runs.  More than 4 miles on the treadmill makes me go insane. The hardest part about running outside in the winter is the first step out the door.

• Buy Yaktrax or something similar if you live somewhere where it snows a lot and often. They really work.  You can run on snowy roads and you won’t slip.

• Rewards work too.  How about a hot Caramel Flan Latte at Starbucks and a cake pop after a cold run.

Happy Running!  Did you have a snow day?  How you stay motivated to run in the winter?