With festivities filling your calendar, cold weather, and cozy fireplaces, staying motivated to run can be challenging. Here are six tips to keep you training during the holiday season.

(Feature photo by iStock.com/Maridav)

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Running motivation can reach an all-time low during the holiday season. It’s cold and snowy outside. You’re happier wrapped in a blanket, sitting in front of the fireplace with your morning cup of coffee or holiday cookies. (I get it! I find myself there every year.)

It’s also a time of year when your free hours are spent on preparations, holiday parties, and family time. With fewer opportunities to fit in workouts, it’s easy to push that run on your calendar into next week — or next year.

As we round the corner into November, here are six tips to stay motivated to run and continue training throughout the holiday season.

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1. Sign up for a January or February race.

When runners need a little motivation to get back into training, I usually recommend signing up for a race. Once it’s on your calendar, you’ll have a stronger purpose to get out the door for those training runs. It can also help you stay motivated to run through the holiday season.

Sign up for a race scheduled in January or February. Your training should start in the fall, keeping you goal-oriented through the holidays. If you live in a cold climate, consider choosing a destination race somewhere warm, like Arizona or Florida. This sweetens the deal since you’ll get to look forward to a break from the winter weather and snow!

Find a destination race to add to your calendar.

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2. Join a winter training group for accountability.

Look for a running group to join that trains through the winter. (Not all run clubs run during winter months, so if you’ve found one online or on social media, message them to find out their schedule!) When you’re with a group, and everyone is running together no matter the temperature, it makes it more compelling to get out the door. The accountability and community can help you stay motivated to run this time of year — and any time of year.

Some running stores have winter running programs you can sign up for, too. If you’re near Fleet Feet, check to see if they have a Winter Warriors program at their location. These programs often include challenges, points, and prizes to drive runners’ motivation through the coldest months of winter.

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3. Set a mileage goal for November and December.

Some runners set mileage goals for the calendar year. A popular one is to hit 1,000 miles. This is a fun way to challenge yourself and stay in shape year-round. As you close in on the end of the year, you may have some miles to make up or simply need to maintain your average. This should give you plenty of motivation to keep running through November and December.

Even if you haven’t set a goal for this year, consider setting a goal for November and December. Maybe that’s 10 miles per week or 100 miles per month — set a goal that’s reasonable and achievable, but pushes you to keep running through the holidays and finish the year strong.

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4. Be flexible with your running schedule.

We often have more events on our calendars in the last two months of the year, which makes it difficult to keep a routine running schedule. Instead of forcing a workout or skipping it altogether, look at your calendar to see how you can switch your running days.

Having a flexible schedule isn’t easy for all runners, especially if you’re used to running at a set time each morning. However, extra events on your calendar are often accompanied by extra stress, so a lunchtime or evening run might be a welcomed part of your day. Being flexible also ensures that you prioritize your well-being equally to your other commitments and responsibilities this time of year.

Need a flexible weekly running schedule? Download these templates.

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5. Make running a part of your holiday traditions.

Do you have other runners in your family? Is your partner a runner? My husband and I are both runners and even if we don’t have an official race to sign up for on Thanksgiving, we still go out for a run. It’s become our tradition. We also enjoy going for a run on Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas (Boxing Day!).

Whether you participate in your community’s turkey trot or get out for a more casual jog, make running part of your holiday traditions. If you can convince others in your family to take part, great! But if not, ask for their support so you can do something important to you.

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6. Allow yourself to indulge and relax a little.

As much as my husband and I enjoy running over the holidays, we do not run on Christmas. We also make sugar cookies and mince pies, and we pour a couple of glasses of wine.

I’m telling you now — it’s OK if you don’t stick strictly to your training and nutrition plan all 365 days of the year. Live a little. Find a balance. Enjoy a peppermint mocha after your morning run. Take part in the Thanksgiving feast. Sleep in and get your run in the next day. Make healthy and smart choices when you can, and remember that moderation is key.

If you resist everything during the holidays, you’ll be into the sweets before Valentine’s Day and disappointed you missed out on soaking up your holiday traditions with everyone else. A piece of cheesecake isn’t going to throw off your training plan. So, allow yourself some grace this holiday season.

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FIND MORE TRAINING ARTICLES:

5 Tips on Adding Flexibility to Your Training Plan

8 Running Coaches Share Tips on How to Set Running Goals

5 Keys to Follow When Training for a Race

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