Keeping the momentum going

You may need to manage a group of excited 8-year-olds from time to time but there’s still a sense of having more time in your day. Slotting training time into your schedule can be challenging but ultimately it feels doable.

It could be that you chose summer as the perfect time to begin your training in earnest. If so, well done you! Forming good habits when barriers are minimal is a great idea. That said, how do you avoid falling off the training treadmill now that daylight hours are slowly slipping away?

As winter approaches getting outdoors for your regular dose of Vitamin D takes more effort – so let’s get strategic.

Start by identifying your major challenges. Perhaps the cold keeps you from pulling on your trainers. Or maybe the thought of running in the wet is a real turn-off. It could be that your schedule is impractical. If you’ve been running off-road at 6 am (or 7 pm), you likely won’t want to risk the same routes in the dark. There’s also the chance that the pull of a great box set or a hot chocolate and a comfy blanket is just too strong on a winter’s night.

You know yourself better than anyone. So once you’ve identified the main risks to maintaining your running schedule, address them head-on – before they become a problem.

Is your running gear up to the challenge this winter? Let’s face it, no one wants to feel cold, wet and uncomfortable, and even the thought of being freezing or soggy can disrupt your training schedule. If not, consider investing in a snug, lightweight running jacket or some waterproof gear. Just knowing you’re ready for what the weather can throw at you stacks the odds in your favour.

When the forest paths and countryside routes you prefer are off-limits, you may need to switch up your routine to stay on track. Consider heading for the streets instead. There’s something undeniably magical about running by lamplight with the scent of winter in the air.

But if heading out alone in the dark makes you want to hide under the duvet, find some company. Joining your local running club is a fun way to stay motivated, not to mention an opportunity to connect with those who share your passion. Setting up a buddy system with a friend or colleague works well too. When one of you is reluctant, the other will likely be able to encourage them to get out of the door.

If evenings or mornings are just not practical at all in the winter, how about a lunchtime run to break up your day? And if nothing else works, there’s always the treadmill at your local gym.

More time spent indoors often means we’re more susceptible to coughs and colds in the winter. Ensuring we eat enough fruit and vegetables, staying hydrated (even when we may not feel thirsty), and getting some daylight exposure every day can go a long way towards keeping us healthy. If you’re going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark, try asking your health professional about supplement options.

In the colder months, your ability to make up excuses may grow wings. Understandably, some days you really won’t feel like running. That’s fine, as long as you put a strategy in place… and keep on running!