Photo credit: Jon Gilbert
It's almost springtime. Summer is around the corner. So go outside and start putting one foot in front of the other. Training for your next race, virtual or real, and need that extra nudge? It's no secret - sometimes staying motivated to train and run, even in nice weather, can be a drag.
I have a real ultra in June - The Great New York 100K. I need to log the training miles. What are you training for? You want to be ready on race day, no matter the distance. Here are ten ways to stay motivated and train no matter the season, weather, and climate.
1. Smoothie
Get pumped with a delicious smoothie. My training run nutrition begins whatever I feel like eating or with a Paleo smoothie. I take out my Ninja blender and throw in any combination of beets, bananas, mangos, pears, apples, coconut milk, dark chocolate almond milk, coconut flakes, avocado, spinach, kale and whatever berries are in season. Healthy fuel will keep you going!
2. Dress Weather Appropriate
Layer up in cold weather. I wear 2 - 3 layers from the waist down and 3 - 4 layers from the waist up. Cover your head, ears, and hands. In warmer, sunny, or super hot and humid weather, one layer of bright colors will suffice. Being overdressed or underdressed can spoil a good run. Don't forget sunscreen. I apply sunscreen on my nose even on sunny winter days.
3. Listen To Inspiration
Sometimes we need some inspiration to keep us motivated on the run. I don't always plug in my Plantronics Back Beat headset but when I do, I tune in to NPR and Spotify podcasts including running podcasts.
Tune in to Like a Big Foot, Trail Running Women, Talk Ultra, RunYogiDiaires, Easy Thrills, The Social Run, and Blessed2Play. I am honored to have been interviewed on these great podcasts. You can find the interviews here.
Other podcasts I enjoy are BibRave, TrainingforUltra, UltrarunnerPodcast, and Ordinary Marathoner.
4. Limit Social Media and Selfies
My best training runs take place when I silence my iPhone, don't check my social media, and avoid selfies. I carry my phone for emergency purposes. If my husband or children call, I answer. All other calls go to voice mail. Taking selfies can break my momentum, but I'll take a selfie or capture a beautiful sight during a walking break, like at mile 13 of a 20 mile training run as a gaggle of geese cross the road, or a pair of deer in the woods cheer me on during a trail ultra. These beautiful creatures lift my spirits and exhausted legs.
5. Record Your Stats
My distance, pace, heart rate, calories, and BPM are recorded in my Garmin. I am interested only in my miles, pace/average pace, and time. I record these numbers in my paper calendar. At the end of the training week, I add up my miles. I'm not out to set or break records. I have all my paper calendars since 2005. They keep me motivated.
6. The Dreaded Treadmill
If you have access to a treadmill, hop on it. Sometimes cold weather reluctantly drags me to the dreaded treadmill at Planet Fitness. But at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, my husband and I cancelled our membership. The most I've logged on a treadmill at one time is 7 miles. That's enough for me. After I've logged the miles, I feel accomplished. We have an ElliptiGo on a stationary trainer at home I can peddle just to keep my legs moving.
7. Strength Training
Strength training is an essential part of training for a run, especially an ultra which requires endurance and a strong core. Cold, snowy, and rainy weather days are perfect for strength training and staying motivated at a gym or at home. This is a good time to plug online and follow good strength training routines. You'll find a plethora of strength training for runners videos on YouTube.
8. Cross-training
It's good to take a break from moving your body and feet in one direction. A terrific way to stay motivated is cross-training. I take advantage of snow and go snowshoeing. I'm a gardener. Spring and summer gardening is enjoyable cross-training. I also play tennis and hike. Before the pandemic, I went indoor climbing. What a great workout! Find what works for you - swimming, rock climbing, cycling, paddle boarding, or something else. Here are 16 cross-training activities to supplement your running and keep you motivated.
Photo by Jon Gilbert
9. Running Books and Documentaries
To stay motivated while on the treadmill or ElliptiGo at home, watch a running documentary. You will be inspired, time will fly, and you might be motivated to stay on a bit longer. Some of my favorite ultrarunning documentaries include Running the Sahara, Desert Runners, Traction, Ultramarathon Man, and The Barkley Marathons. Check out this list of must-see running documentaries. View the smorgasbord of inspiring and motivating running documentaries on YouTube. Running books and memoirs will also keep you motivated.
10. Running Websites, YouTube videos, and Facebook Running Groups
You'll find great motivational running videos on YouTube by elite and ordinary runners of all distances. All my years of running inspired me to create my website. YouTube videos motivated me to keep running and to create my YouTube Channel.
Age is only a number. Anyone can train and run. Check out running websites and Facebook groups like RunYoungOver50. Other Facebook groups that will inspire and motivate you are UltraRunning, Running after 60, and Ultrarunning Community
Running websites of ordinary and elite runners energize, motivate, and inspire me. Visit this link for a great list of running websites to learn from and to stay motivated.
Here's the link to my YouTube video 10 Tips to Keep You Motivated and Running Year Round.
How do you stay motivated to run year round? Contact me and let me know. Your sharing and feedback could be included in a future post. Have a website, podcast, or YouTube channel? Contact me and let me know!
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