Winter is always tough on my running. Icy conditions. Treadmill blues. Colds. Sick kids. Holiday over-scheduling. Winter break. It’s brutal. In order to run, I need to be healthy and have the time. Late November and all of December are pretty brutal on my running. I usually end up with a cold sometime during those months, and if either of my children gets sick, there goes my running time during their preschool hours. In November, Will was out for four or five days with conjunctivitis, and I just finished a 7 day stretch with at least one kid home from preschool with cough/fever. I love them to pieces and I’m so glad I get to stay home with them and cuddle when they’re not feeling well, being a stay at home mother is fantastic. That said, it’s tough on my running!
I’m guessing I’m not alone. I’m guessing you, too, had a busy holiday season. Fought off colds, maybe even got the flu. Had to hit the treadmill and perhaps ran a bit less than you might have if you’d been outdoors. Struggled with icy conditions, less daylight, 10 degree windchill factors.
Well it’s almost February.
Time to start building the mileage base back up.
Let’s get out there, take it easy, remember that we haven’t been consistent with our mileage these past few months, and start working it slowly back up. Now might not be the time to start a specific training plan if you haven’t been putting in the miles over the past 8 weeks. Now is time to get a month of solid running under us, then start a kick butt training plan to nail those 5ks in May, tackle a 10k in June, then start training seriously for half-marathons in the fall. (Hypothetically.)
Take it easy. Remember that you can’t just pick up where you left off in October. Build it up slowly.
Spring is coming.
Let’s be ready when it gets here 🙂
It’s definitely hard to get back into the swing of things when it’s cold, snowy, and possibly icy, but it’s better to do it now than to start all back over again come March or April. I hope you stay safe this weekend – I heard the Northeast is supposed to get hit pretty hard. Weirdly, there is nothing in the forecast for the Midwest (or at least Ohio) this weekend. I’m thankful!
Right now I’m training for a late March half marathon, which I picked strategically to ensure that I would keep up with running during the winter months. So far I have only had to take it to the treadmill a couple of times (for that I am also thankful).
Sorry to hear your kids have been under the weather, but I hope everyone’s feeling much better now!
Thanks Jess! It cracks me up to see your “fairweatherrunner” url weighing in on winter runner. Clearly you’re an all weather runner! (Good for you 🙂
I was contemplating coming out of hibernation (running-wise) March 1… but I’m getting itchy! I’ve managed to maintain some fitness at the gym but my legs are craving to run. So… your post is so timely 🙂 With not planning to run Boston this year, and having slogged it out the past 4 years of winters, I’ve been enjoying having no real obligation to got out in the freezing cold. But what I think you’ve found too is once you get to be a “runner” it’s hard to take time off and not miss it dearly!
Great thoughts, Kelly! Happy weekend.
I finally got to run outside last weekend! It’s been so cold in the Chicago area that it wasn’t possible to get outside for quite a while. To be honest, I loathe the treadmill, it’s soooo boring. I just signed my family of four, plus my son’s girlfriend up for a 10 mile Soldier Field run in May, so now my husband has to start training with me. 🙂
The treadmill is tough – I went from a podcast, to a documentary, to music on a 45 minute treadmill run this morning which is an embarrassing lack of focus!
I really needed to hear this! I hit the treadmill hard this weekend after a week off due to bronchitis…my breathing still isn’t perfect (inhaler anyone?) but it felt good to really push myself this weekend…I am nervous, though, about pushing myself so hard I injure myself, burn out, or something else….I know not to build more than 10% more per week, to listen to my body, foam roll/stretch, etc…any other advice for building up a good solid base? My goals are 5K in March, 10K in June and outside of a few other 5K’s I have no other plans…but that 10K scares me….help me out with recommendations for building up that base good and solid?
Hi Jolene! Ugh, I remember bronchitis leading to an inhaler, make sure you get enough rest and don’t run until your chest is clear! (Totally ran a 5k I shouldn’t have last fall, so I get it.) You have a good handle regarding not adding more than 10% a week to mileage, stretching, being cautious, etc. Another thing I would say about building up a good solid base for your mileage is remembering that it’s ok to take walking breaks when you’re increasing your long runs. I used to feel like I had to run four continuous miles in order to have completed a four mile run, and that can be oppressive and make you actually run slower for fear of needing to take a break. Four miles is four miles, even with a few walking breaks, especially as someone building up their running mileage. I learned a lot reading Jeff Galloway (google!) regarding how helpful it can be to take brief walking breaks as you’re adding on the distance and getting used to it. The 10k will scare you less if you work towards it gradually by increasing the length of one long run a week (or every other week, you have time between now and June!). Giving yourself the freedom to take a break when you need it, and then keep going instead of giving up, is the most important advice I can give you (within the parameters of listening to your body and working up slowly, of course). Best wishes!