Tips for staying motivated in cold weather

However much you may hate hearing this.... run outside!  Bundle up (it takes time but you'll learn what to wear) and have fun!  I went running yesterday (albeit on the street because the snow was waist deep on the sidewalk) and had a blast!  The only thing that will keep me from running outside is a wind chill advisor for fear of frostbite.

For biking, try doing intervals.  They help the time pass.

Focus on your goal and have fun.  Thats the key, if it isn't fun, why are you doing it?

Great advice right there. This is what I wear when it's cold- thermal tights, wool running socks, cold weather cycling gloves, fleece hat, long sleeve performance shirt and a soft shell barrier jacket. A lot of times I end up taking off the hat and gloves, so it's nice to have the back pockets of the cycling jacket.

x3  I echo the advice above

I would do what you may have just started doing, be active on this site, watch videos on youtube etc...it may get you motivated to see that other people are getting out there in similar conditions, plus if you watch races it may be a kick in the butt to get the workout in....it at least works for me....my weakness is getting into the pool when its snowing and 10 deg out, but I think about that person that is training and I am thinking about sitting on my butt...so I just get there and get the workout in......also i would feel worse later knowing I missed a workout than I would be doing the workout.......you are not alone in this feeling, but you cannot give in to it!!!! good luck

Yep, run outside.  There's no bad weather, only bad clothing.  Truthfully, you can even run outside when there is risk of frostbite.  You just cover everything you can, and use vaseline on exposed skin.  Seriously.

-10c (14f) is just about my favourite temperature to run in, but I've run in temps as cold as -30c (-22f) without problem.  That's about where my cut off is, but if I was willing to spend money on better running clothes, I could go even colder.

This quote may end up on facebook or in my signature.

My local Y has a winter running series.  The have a 5K in December, January, and February.  I have found this to be a great motivator because there is something else to train for besides events that aren't happening until June.  We ran through 6 inches of snow in December and it was only 5 degrees in January, but it was still a lot of fun to get outside and run in a competitive format.

I am sure you could find lots of races like these in the Chicago area.  You can fit them right into your training schedule and it will provide you some added motivation.

I feel for you...38 years of living in IL and then last six months living in TN..2 inches one day gone the next.  Snow shoe running is a great workout for outside, the running type shoes.  A 30 minute workout is crazy. 

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