If you're one of those people who continue to run outside despite cold temperatures, blustery wind, and even snowy roads, you've probably heard more than once, "Why would you run outside in this weather?" Or, you may be the person asking that question.
Even if you're new to running, there are ways that you can "train your brain" to run straight through the winter months. Try some of these ideas:
Run with a group or a buddy. Find a local running group or recruit a friend to run with you. Knowing that someone is waiting for you will help motivate you to do those chilly runs.
Get the right clothes. Wearing running clothes that are right for cold weather running makes a huge difference in your comfort and motivation levels. Even though winter running clothes are not cheap, a few quality pieces are worth the investment.
Be prepared to run or work out indoors. Sometimes it's just not safe to run outside when it's extremely cold or very icy. But if you miss a few runs because of bad weather, it's very tempting to then just give it up completely during the winter. Keep up your exercise habit by running on a treadmill or doing other indoor workouts.
Sign up for races. Doing road races throughout the winter is a great way to guarantee you'll a) keep motivated to stay in shape and b) run outside, at least occasionally (for the races).
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