Is It Running Season Yet?
My Pilates teacher asked me during my last class if it was running season yet to which I replied – “It’s always running season!” But I do understand where she’s coming from. It’s tough running, or doing anything really, outside during the short, cold winter days. Especially for those who just beginning to run and aren’t fully into the addictive power of the sport yet. Now, as the days grow longer and the weather warmer it’s easier to get outside and be active.
But if you still need motivation to move from your bum and into a healthier life, here are some things that might give you the kick you need.
1. New workout gear – I’m not saying to go buy an entire new fitness wardrobe, but having clothes/shoes that make you feel good about getting outside for a run/bike/swim. I highly recommend going to a running or sports store to try gear on first or read reviews before purchasing as every person’s body is different and you want the best support and comfort to make your workouts as enjoyable as possible.
2. Find a routine – There are some great programs for those looking for that extra push toward their fitness goals. For example: Couch To 5k (C25K) that encourages participates to ease slowly into running to prevent injuries and burnout from going too hard, too fast.
3. Workout Buddies – Find a friend to partner up with and get your butt in gear. Having someone who will keep you accountable when you don’t feel like working out is great motivation to stick to your plan. If none of your friends schedules jive with yours then hit up your local gym, running or biking store where there are often group runs, rides, or people searching for workout buddies.
4. Rewards – I know how easy it is to get sidetracked on the way to reach your fitness goals, so build in little rewards along the way to keep you motivated. A new piece of clothing, a new download for your Kindle, or some dark chocolate. 🙂
5. Setting a goal – Having a goal helps in making sure you stick to the habit of exercising on a regular basis. Maybe, like with the C25K, you sign up for a race in a couple months, or a bike ride or a sprint triathlon (a very short swim, bike, run tri).
Most importantly – have fun!!! Make your workouts fun and before you know it you’ll be wanting to get out and moving! 😀
runnersami.wordpress.com 
there is so much power in having a workout partner, that accountability friend. great post, enjoy this running weather!
Some days that’s the only way I get my butt in gear and out the door!
Great suggestions–especially the notion to build in rewards. I don’t run, but rewarding myself helps my other workouts. Hope you have a wonderful weekend for running!
Hugs,
Kathy
Thanks, Kathy! I’m looking at some new running gear as my spring reward. 🙂
Great ideas 🙂 I ran (at the gym) 8k for the first time ever! Only previously ran to 5k. Feel on top of the world right now. 🙂
Well done.
Awesome! Glad you’re feeling on top of the world. Runner’s euphoria, there’s nothing quite like it. 🙂
I can relate: My son just started his “baseball season” … yet it’s snowy, blustery, cold, gets dark super early, etc.
I though they called them the “boys of summer”???
GREAT tips, by the way. I wish I loved running; however, I do love my elliptical… 😉
Haha! Not a fun start to the season although I’m sure it’ll warm up soon. Glad you like the elliptical – it’s still cardio after all. 🙂
You’re right; it’s always running season! At least that’s what I am coming to understand. Good tips! 🙂
Exactly! And the more you get out and run, the more that you’ll want to.
I started running in the middle of the winter on a treadmill. Now that it’s nicer weather I’m so loving being outside and out of the basement!
That’s a great way to start running. Isn’t it nice to just put on running shoes and head outside? That’s one of my favorite parts of being a runner.
I’m training with a friend for the first time ever and it’s helped tons. I’m already doing 5Ks and will progress to 10K shortly. I honestly have never felt this excited about running before in my entire life.
I’m definitely going to build in some rewards.
Friends are awesome when it comes to motivation. Happy for you that you’re so excited! There are a lot of 10K spring races too if you like t-shirts and cheering fans as a reward. 😉
If you move to Sardinia, there are over 300 days of sunshine a year. Running season every day! Great post!
Sold! 😉
Running is fun. 🙂
Absolutely.
Thanks for the motivation! I’m a few weeks into training for my first half marathon and needed a little push.
Happy to help, Jenn! I trained for the Philadelphia Half last fall and it’s a lot of mental work too. Keep up the good work and don’t forget to add a little motivation to give you that push you need. You’re going to ROCK this half! 😀
I need to start running again. Although the first couple of weeks are painful, I love the feeling of hit the open road for a few miles on a nice sunny day.
Sometimes people think they need to be rockstars in order to run, but even a couple miles can do wonders for your mental, emotional, and physical state. Hope you find your running Zen again!
Great post! I started running (again) this winter, in the snow and all.. Makes me feel all bad ass 🙂
That’s totally badass! I ran a couple times in the snow, but we had such a mild winter I wasn’t nearly as hardcore as you were I’m sure. Enjoy the spring sunshine!
Nice post!
I started seriously running about a year ago when I lived in Vancouver. I recently moved to Tucson, though, and am going through an opposite temperature adjustment…I’m used to running in the cold/wet and now I’ll have to adapt to hot and dry!
I did the Vancouver Sun Run (10k) last year, so my goal this year is a half-marathon.
That’s quite a transition. A 10K is really impressive and a great stepping stone to running a half. I’ve heard they have great races in Arizona, so have fun! (Vancouver is one my fav cities by the way.) 🙂
it’s always running season!!!
My thoughts exactly. 🙂
You have a really nice blog, I love the layout! Great motivational tips, I share the same thoughts on new gear, they make you feel awesome!
And the more you run, the better the new gear looks! Win-win. 🙂
beautiful evergreen season….
nice post…
Great to read a piece by someone who is obviously very much into running and loving every bit of it ! I m a junkie myself! I need to pound the ground at least five times a week – the days I don’t I m not such a great person to be with 😦 I totally agree with you about motivating yourself and making mini goals. I sometimes get discouraged – like for example right now I m injured and can t run everyday which saddens me – but I am telling myself that as soon as I m better I m going to give myself a nice running prezzie. I do that a lot . I buy things online most of the time – cos I find the prices are great and i know my size pretty well. So I create a wish list and save it then when the right time comes i click and I buy 🙂 oh and ..yes running buddies are great but running alone is awesome too – it s the best ‘me’ time ever!
Online gift wish lists are a great idea! I’m always searching for online deals as well. Running gear can be expensive!
I can now agree with you that running knows no seasons. I signed up to do a half marathon this year and have been participating in the training runs since January. In the upper midwest, this was a difficult time to begin running again, but I soon found that it was not nearly as hard to do as I thought. It certainly helps to have other people to run with. I am sure that I would have stuck with it as easily without the motivation of running in a group.
Nice! Good luck with your half. They are a lot of fun and very addictive, so you’ve been warned. 🙂
I work part-time as a team physician with our Olympic Team and my first experience with real runners was when I volunteered to help out at a local 50 mile run (they put me at the 25 mile marker). It was there that I was first exposed to the real sport of running and the people involved in it. I was hooked immediately (not at the 50 mile level to be sure).
Your idea of workout buddies is wonderful. I find that “buddies” also work in medical practice. I have had great success using the buddy system to help patients stop smoking. There’s nothing like a little positive encouragement from a friend who is experiencing what you are experiencing. And it works in dieting too!
Great blog…Keep it up.
Working at a 50-miler sounds like it would be challenging and fun. Glad you have seen the buddy system work in other spheres as well. There’s nothing like some positive encouragement – so, thanks! 🙂
Everything you wrote about is exactly what gets me out the door every time! You’ve got it bang on!
Glad you feel the same way!
It sure is starting to feel like running season again! This spring weather has been fabulous!
I agree, Mark. It’s harder to stay inside these days now that the days are warm and sunny.
Great advice and a good plan for making things happen. I always have to set a gola by signing up for a one week bike ride in order to ride my bike. The goal gives me incentive to train. Keep on truckin’.
Goals are definitely key. Enjoy your bike rides!
It s warm here too 🙂 we had such a crap winter ! excuse my vocab :)) now the sun is dazzling and I just enjoyed a 12.5k run in 69 mins with an injured foot ! not bad eh ! can t wait to start proper training again! love the posts here ! running is the sweetest drug ! and it s totally legal too ! yabadabadooooo !
You have more energy than me Sami!
Congrats on being Freshly Sweaty…ooops, I mean Fresly Pressed.
Mr. Bricks
Haha – thanks!
omg! completely agree with the buddy thing…It’s soooo hard for me to get motivated since I left my XC team to go running because I just can’t find the right people to go running with! (well though, thats somewhat my fault also since I haven’t really made that big of an effort to go outside my social circle to find that buddy!) So I guess, the next question is: how do you find this person!?!
That’s a great question. I usually find running buddies through my local running store. There are almost always group runs (so you’re not meeting up with a stranger in a park somewhere which would be totally sketchy) or a lot of times the people who work there have connections with high-school or college running teams that you can connect with as well. Good luck!
Thank you for this! I am with you in that to me it is always running season, but sometimes the motivation comes easier than other times. Personally my favourite trick is the new running gear. Such a good reason to run. I hope all your running is going well – both in and out of season:)
It’s nice to get that extra push to run when it’s not so nice out. I hope your running is rocking too! 🙂
It truly is, ‘always running season!’
You mention running gear, I wrote about a friend who decided to start running WITHOUT considering running gear and how wrong that was! (I took a comical approach)
Anyway – good stuff! I think I need to work on my REWARDS program!
That sounds like a great story – I’ll have to check it out if it’s on your blog. I’m a big fan of running gear as well but just the other day I did get smoked on a trail by my house by an older man wearing beat up sneakers and sweats, so….let’s just say it was humbling. 😉
Ran a 5k here in Afghanistan today, and I was humbled by oodles of folks who had no right to beat me in their current physocal conditon or gear!! It’s so crazy you said that because I was gonna try write something about it!. Happy runs to you! Forget the old guy – beat the clock!
Pretty!
Haha, very nice blog.
Dark wet cold nights nearly over, spring running here we come … great blog
Thanks! I’m looking forward to spring running too. 🙂
“It’s always running season”. so true! and I say that, coming from Sweden where the dark cold winter is like half a year. some ppl just dont understand the thing about running. so sad I was stupid enough to run too far too early though, it’s easy to get an injury from that – sucks! can’t wait until I can run as long as I want again.
I feel your pain – I got injured from going too far too fast as well. It’s really disheartening to be sidelined. I did a lot of strength training and biking and, although it still took time, it wasn’t as painful as it could’ve been. Good luck!
I think a lot of people have touched on this, but I just want to say this is really inspiring! All good idea’s to get someone off the couch and into the shoes. I used to run on the treadmill all the time at the gym, I’m trying to get back into the things. So I just want to say thanks for giving these good ideas it really helps 😀
Thanks! It’s always nice to hear from others who are interested in running. Happy running! 🙂
Really very healthy suggestions. Thanks for sharing.
Not a runner, but I love to walk and the same weather is needed to truly enjoy a good outing without worries of slippage and breakage. I even got those snap-on ice grabbers, yet end up feeling like a toenail clicking schnauzer on the sidestreets. March is moving into April and the slush is vacating. Definite Yaysies!
Blue Skies,
CricketMuse
I strapped on a pair of YakTrax for the first time this year, despite an unusually mild East Coast winter, and loved them. Glad I’ve exchanged them for t-shirts though!
hi samantha!! i just came across your blog today i love it. Im new to the wordpress blog world ,but your page is a eye opener thats for sure i love it .i actually run 10 miles once a week and i wright and i cant wait to read more your blog to get more insight thanks.
Thanks for stopping by! Always nice to “meet” other runners and writers.
I don’t think you realized how much I really needed this…We moved from sunny North Carolina – land of forever warm and sun (especially this winter) to dark and cold Alaska. Need I say more about it? I hate cold and I have lost all motivation as it is easy to do here. Your post just gave me a couple ideas. I really appreciate this – you don’t know how much I needed this.
Glad to help! It’s tough when it’s dark and cold outside. Hibernation is way easier than getting out to run, so I know how hard it can be. Remember how awesome you feel after you finish that run though! Best wishes! 🙂
A nice article and straight to the truth. Warmer weather does it make it easier and I’m now running more because of it.
Happy running to you!
That it has been 24 miles in last week and with 8 yesterday and 5 today, on my way to many more. I have my first marathon in November, so I’m looking forward to that.
Hey! Perfect timing for this subject! I used to run 5Ks all the time, but now I’m starting to think I’m getting bored with the 5K routine. Need to push the limits, so I’m aiming to do a 10K race soon. And your straightforward advice is well-taken!
Thanks – it’s always nice to push the limits to keep the interest going and not get bored. I’m hoping to run a 10k soon too, it’s a great distance.
I Have A Workout Partner I Have Just Recently Started To Run Over 1 Month To Be Exact, I Brought My 1st Lot Of Running Gear About A Week Ago And I Was Excited When I Received It In The Post I Don’t Know What i Would Do Without Running
hey, good encouragement.. i really need to get back excerising!!!
Goood advice! I ran with the Hartford Track Club and was the 8th man on their annual Lake Winnepisocci (forget the spelling) 64 mile relay race….but that was before my back injury which caused nerve damage and muscle loss in my right leg. But, recently I was told that one really can’t tell that one leg is smaller, and it’s my dominant leg. I’ve noticed that it has become stronger since surgery and I now have almost normal strength on the outside of the foot. Still have drop toe in the big toe but enough lift that I don’t have to trip on it…so, I’ve been thinking: “why not start running again! ” It used to be the highlight of my week meeting for 11 mile group runs…just need a little gear…I miss running…I ran a 19:06 5k at age 45…good enough to be 8th man…I miss the group, the encouragement, post run pizzas, juicing for extra energy, the grounding effect of pounding out the miles in the West Hartford, CT resevoirs…good times!
Wow, sounds like you have quite the running history. Glad you have such fond memories of your Track Club days. Hope you’re able to find your groove again and all the joy associated with it!
Man… I live in the desert, so “running season” is actually wrapping up here.
Weird.
That is crazy. Definitely a different world…
time to run anytime on spring
good stuff. I run outside year round unless its an absolute downpour. My threshold on the bike is 25 degrees. Above? ride. Below? indoor trainer.
25 degrees? Impressive. It’s way easier for me to run in colder weather than bike, that’s for sure!
Reblogged this on Inspiredweightloss and commented:
Running is a part of my weightloss journey that I will start in the summer time. I have lost a good amount of weight and now I am ready to run!!!I love your blog it is so interesting to me!
Happy you found inspiration here. I’ve heard many successful weight loss stories that have revolved around running. Keep up your healthy goals!
Reblogged this on greatrita.
Heh – it’s just starting to get warm enough here in eastern Washington to remind me what I like about running. I set myself a rule that I wouldn’t run outside when it’s under 30 degrees—it just brings so much misery, I worry it’ll kill my motivation to run at all. But I’ve broken that rule a few times, to varying degrees of success. Here’s hoping Spring sticks around!
Me too!
Some days it takes a whole team to keep me accountable, that or a quick status on facebook saying I’m going to “Go out and run 3 miles” or something because I don’t want people to ask how it was and tell them I didn’t go! 🙂
Yes! That’s such a great idea. I tell my friends I’m going for a run for the same reason, it’s great accountability.
It’s always running season, well said! I agree with your section on rewards! My mom always told me, reward yourself with something other than food! I like your idea of new workout gear.
Food rewards can be fun, but workout gear lasts a lot longer. 😉
Running used to be a big part of my routine, however a summer a few years back I worked 50+ hours a week in a restaurant, on my feet all day. This completely ruined my will to run! And I have been struggling to get back into ever since. I completely emphasise with the running season state of mind; I live in a big and soul-less city where it always seems to be raining, therefore it is very difficult to motivate yourself to get out there! I will try to follow your advice and become re-addicted to running!
Start small with short runs, so you don’t burn out and lose your love again. Good luck – running is a great thing to be addicted to. 🙂
Reblogged this on gcastleme.
I love the spring/summer mostly because of just that, that it is a lot easier to get out and be active 🙂
nice tips, thanks for sharing!
Nice post, well written
Great post–and I love the background on your blog (I don’t have one yet, so I’m always looking for inspiration). I’m a runner too, and I finished my first 1/2 marathon last year, with my husband as my running partner. Without him, I am not sure I would have done it. This year, we are going to do a marathon–my first, his 7th (or so). Rewards–to me, being able to go the extra distance is the only reward I need, and those times I hit that runner’s high–ah yeah. 🙂
Intrinsic motivation is one of the best motivators there is. Sounds like you have a great running partner and a great goal – happy running! 🙂
Very inspirational thank you!!! 🙂 Running season is so on!
Actually I’m planning to run from right tomorrow! and its spring here in Bangladesh. I hope to lose some weight, and gain some high spirits 🙂
Enjoy the nice weather on your run. Good luck with all your goals!
its always running season :D!
I live in San Antonio and we run in 100+ degree weather. It’s always running season here.
Now that is hard core! Hot weather is way harder for me to run in than cold weather.
I love running, sadly living in Buenos Aires my iTouch, my main motivator, was pick-pocketed!
Oh no! I hope you find a replacement or can find a different motivator. 🙂
Running is such a great sport, all you need is a decent pair of trainers and some clothes that you don’t mind getting sweaty! I would love to have a running partner to help push my own training (I do weekly 5k runs held by parkrun (http://www.parkrun.org.uk/) – a rapidly expanding event that is free!). Sometimes running alone can be difficult when you’re just not in the mood so great idea about the running ‘buddy.’ Although I am prone to getting excited about new running gear almost as much …
That sounds like a cool program. Friends are great encouragers for sure!
I LOVE the feeling of running with new gear!!! And I’m not gonna lie, I love shopping for new gear, too. 😉
Whenever I find that I can’t get myself out of the door, I just tell myself “I’ll just go for one block.” Then by the end of the block, I’m ready to go for more! But, in the off chance that I’m not up for more, I’ve at least gotten off of the couch!
I trick myself like that too and once I’m out I almost always run farther than I intended. It’s great!
From the midwest, and as a recreational runner, there really is a running season, IMO. The last 2 weeks have been awesome though as winter has gone away. When it is below 30, that’s when I head inside for treadmill runs. They just aren’t as satisfying. Not as frequent as when the weather is nicer!
I’ve heard midwest winter’s are brutal. While treadmill running isn’t a fun substitute for heading outdoors, sometimes it’s a necessary evil. Maybe setting a goal to run a spring race will give you that extra push you need to challenge yourself during those long months!
I just thought about entering a 5K race for the 4th of July–Autism Speaks. It certainly is time to get training.
Good luck – a 5k is a great way to get started!
Agree – it’s always running season! You are so right in getting some new gear to get your fire going again- makes all the difference in the world! Great post!
Thanks! Hopefully you see some new gear in your future. 🙂
I like this. Short, simple, effective and powerful! I recently added workout partners to help hold me accountable and push me. Thanks for sharing!
Happy to hear your workout partners are a good addition. Have fun!
I totally agree. Particularly with your endnote on having fun. I think many people fail to realize that during a run I am usually having a great time and that is part of the lure. Running and weight loss should not be a love hate relationship, but rather a friends with benefits scenario 🙂
Well put! I’m hoping that people will see how running can make lives not only healthier, but happier too.
I loved reading this!! As a runner and not running for over six months now, I am in so much pain, literally and physically, that reading this like a balm! Thank you!
I can do with the motivation now, especially since i have made up my mind to start walking and then i can get back to a formal running program in Sept. So far, I have come up with all sorts of excuses, walked just three times in the last two weeks.
Will keep reading this 🙂
Thanks! Glad my post made a difference for you. I hope you can find fun ways to motivate yourself and get back into (injury-free) running. 🙂
Reblogged this on fitmommy and commented:
Great advice for those just starting to run or those who need a little motivation to get back into the game 🙂
Thanks!
Do you have any tips for knee pain? I just started training for my first marathon and have developed a pain in my left knee that starts within the first mile. I’m too young for this!
I’ll preface my response by saying, I am not a physician, but I have dealt with knee pain in the past and read about injuries quite a bit. When I had knee pain it was on the side and then under my knee because it was an IT band injury. After asking around and trying different things (the most important being rest) I bought a Trigger Point roller and roll out almost every day and that has kept the pain away (knock on wood).
If the pain is behind your knee then it’s what’s called runner’s knee. I would talk to a sports medicine doctor or a running coach for other recommendations. Most knee injuries, as far as I know, are caused by doing too much, too fast, so scale back, go slower and try to rebuild into a stronger, healthier runner that way. Good luck! 🙂
I also use the trigger point roller and swear by it, but another thing I would like to add is when you scale back re-examine your running mechanics. New Balance offers great advice in this area on the good form portion of their website.
http://www.newbalance.com/performance/running/good-form-running/
I have been totally injury free since i did this and before I could never break through mile 6 without pain sidelining me for weeks before.
Thanks! This helps a lot. The pain is on the outside of my knee, like yours. I will check out the Trigger Point. I’ve been resting it, but I’m anxious to get out there again.
I agree with the running mechanics as well. While you’re doing that you could ask your local running store about maybe a different pair of shoes too as I know I was wearing shoes that weren’t great for my running style.
Stop back anytime and let me know how your running is going!
i hope it really is easy as you made it sound here =)
I can’t wait until the clocks change and there is more day light. You can do so much in the summer.
These are great tips! Im a fitness instructor and it can get so hard to motivate people! I will definitely reblog this!!
Thanks! I’m sure you’ll be a successful motivator. 🙂
It’s always time for running. If it’s winter take some clothes and don’t worry if you sweat a little or a lot, it’s good for you, and when you arrive home just take a great shower that will relax you. I really love running. Now I’ve got my ankle bad but in some months I’ll be running again without stop. 🙂
I hope you have a speedy recovery!
I love being able to go home at lunch to visit my pooch, so that’s my motivation. I nice little 30 minute run in the middle of my day is perfect. Keeps my cubicle boredom at bay. Congrats on being freshly pressed!
Sounds like you have a great system going. 🙂 And thanks!
Hi, I like running too. And I think that if I like running, it’s always running season.
Me too. 🙂
This blog was very inspiring! I am a marathon runner who lives in Cleveland, Ohio. I know exactly how hard it can be to stay motivated to run during the long winter months!
Thanks, it’s tough getting motivated during those dark and chilly days. Glad it’s getting warm and sunny again!
reading the post I am all set to resume my running sessions from tomorrow onward!
thanks for being the inspiration!
Good for you! Hope you’re successful in your running endeavors – have fun!
I’m an avid runner and I think you’ve given some great tips! I always tell people just getting started is the toughest part. Get up and get out the door! I’ve been running forever and I still have to talk myself into getting out the door sometimes. 🙂
Thanks, I agree that getting started is one of the hardest parts. But once you get going, hopefully knowing the benefits of running will help get someone out the door.
It is always running season! Thanks for telling it like it is. 🙂
Every season is running season for me as well – love it!
No running more golfing and biking! – german blog under http://www.wallgang.de
Yes! Running season has commenced..and I’ve just torn my calf so kinda miffed I have to sit back and wait a bit more! Good post! x
Hope you recover fast so you can get back to running. 🙂
great suggestions. it rains a lot here, so it’s hard for us to want to get out for a jog. we’ve jogged in pouring rain and wind. really sucks, especially when your feet get soaked and you’re running against the rain. i do feel the urge to get out there through and it does feel great afterwards.
Rain is not easy to run in – maybe you can find a treadmill or do stairs when it’s really bad. Then you can do long runs on the nice days. Good luck!
I definitely need to get back into my running routine- a couple of short runs throughout the week and a long run on the weekend… Not only does it feel awesome, but the scenery is so beautiful in the spring! Now I only need to find a running buddy 😛