If you live in the Northern Hemisphere — and in particular a cold, windy, snowy area like I do — running through the holidays can feel like a real challenge. Even if you live in sunny Florida, even in a normal year (and we all know that there’s been no normal years lately!), running through the holidays can still feel like a challenge:
- Bad weather
- Short days
- Buying gifts
- Cooking holiday food
- Busy at Work
- Waning motivation
Add in all the stress we’re all feeling right now, sometimes squeezing in that run is the last thing you want to do. Or you really want to do it but you just can’t find the time! Here are my tips to keep moving when time is short and the you’ve got many things on your to-do list.
Wake up earlier
I know, I know: you’re already overworked, overstressed, and tired! Bear with me though. You don’t necessarily have to wake up hours early! You might want to get up an hour early, but even 10 minutes will make a difference. If you’re like me and you hate being rushed, just decide on how long you want to run and double that time.
It may seem like heaping even more on your holiday plate, but you’ll find exercise before you start your day will actually give you a little burst of energy. Even just 10 minutes!
Break up your run
You may not feel like you have a whole hour to devote to a run. How about 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes at either lunch or after work? Or even 10 minutes twice a day?
Sometimes it feels easier to do just a little bit at a time. Little bits add up to a lot!
Join a Challenge
Better yet, join a challenge with some friends! Runners love a challenge, and they’re plentiful at this time of year.
Run through the Holiday Lights
This isn’t always easy when you live in a cold place. Look for some holiday group runs you can join that run in areas that have holiday lights. Even though I’m Jewish, I do love looking at the holiday lights!
Run for a Cause
You may not be motivated to get out and run when it’s cold just for yourself — but maybe if you know your running is helping out a cause near and dear to your heart you’ll find your running motivation.
What’s your favorite way to keep moving through the holidays?
Have you joined a holiday challenge this year?
What cause would motivate you to run when you don’t feel like it?
Linking up with Zenaida Arroyo and Kim @ Kookyrunner
This week I am also joining up with the new Runners’ Roundup linkup.
Chocolaterunsjudy 
Great tip with joining a challenge, Judy!
I see many runners doing a streak which is a great way to keep moving during the holidays. Sometimes it’s just a mile a day, which is very doable even with a stressful schedule.
I think charities that involve children are especially motivating – you don’t want to let them down!
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It’s nice that we can do good by doing something we enjoy.
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Though I do hate cold weather. I don’t have a problem with motivation.
I sign up for races so I know I have to run 4x a week. Sometimes in the morning dark or after work dark. But with working from home I can sometimes squeeze in a 30 minute run.
And most importantly I try to make running dates. Friends make friends run lol.
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Luckily I don’t generally have a lack of motivation either.
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I guess running has become somewhat of a habit. In a good way.
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If I get my runs in, everything else falls into place. That’s my motivation!
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It’s still amazing how you get your runs in with the challenges of RA & work!
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Although I’m very self motivated, these are all great tips and similar to what I tell my clients to keep them motivated this time of year.
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Great minds think alike. 🤣
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Doing a challenge is a good way to get running because you have people holding you accountable! Getting up 10 minutes early is huge and a big help too!
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I’m lucky because I’m a morning person anyway. Although that dark is not motivating!
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Running earlier has definitely helped me stay focused! It’s so nice to get it out of the way and I’m very proud that on Monday I managed a 16K before work. Admittedly, I had some sleepy moments during the day but I survived!
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Congrats on 16k before work! I do get more tired in the Summer when I need to get out there earlier.
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My motivation is pretty constant, but the Steak is my coping vice this time of year 🙂 The cold & dark are tough!
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I don’t do cold & dark — usually anyway.
LOL about steak (I know you meant streak). Steak would motivate my husband. 😊
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I don’t live in a cold snowy climate, unless we visit the mountains, so I rarely run in freezing temps. I do run though when I’m in the mountains, unless it’s icy.
I like the idea of running through holiday lights.
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Running through the holiday lights is really nice, although it’s been several years since I’ve done it.
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I’ve actually been thinking of taking the dog for a walk through the neighborhood to see the lights. I’m more of a morning runner.
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I hear you! Here it’s usually too cold, or it’s raining, or it’s snowing . . . I’m sure your dog will love the walk!
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I don’t have many problems because here the cold is not …. so cold and, being retired, I have plenty of time to make my workouts when I like but I like your tips.
Running through the holidays lights is a great idea. Long time ago we could see the holidays lights and the lights of the city running on the breakwater but now, unfortunately, it’s closed for security rules (it runs over the port).
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That’s so sad about not being able to run on the breakwater. Your lights are definitely beautiful!
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I hate cold weather and even though our winter is mild compared to the north, it still feels cold to me. What’s kept me motivated is my weekly running group. I had been away from the group the past four weeks straight for one reason or another and when I finally went back this past week, I had really missed them!
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Weather is relative. So when it gets colder than it was, it’ll feel cold to you even though I’d probably be happy to feel those warmer temps. 😊 Plus it does get cold in the south — it just doesn’t stay cold.
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Well, I do live in sunny Florida so there’s NO EXCUSE for not getting out for my runs! As a matter of fact, now is when our weather is most beautiful (as opposed to summer) so it would be a shame not to be out in it. I can see how it would be hard to get up extra early in the cold and dark though- all your tips are great. The RW streak is a great challenge for this time of year- I’m enjoying following along the people who are doing it.
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Yes, Winter is running season in the south!
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There are so many fun challenges going on right now to keep us entertained. When I get my workout in daily, everything else just seems to fall into place
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It is great that there are so many challenges available these days!
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I find that running helps me deal with stress, so I try to prioritize it. I may run less or not as often, but getting out there for a few miles helps me to feel better.
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Yoga does the same thing for me. Obviously I’m not hanging up my running shoes, but it is nice to have multiple ways to destress.
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These are great tips! I often break up my run, especially on days I have OTF classes and it works out well!
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I have to admit I’ve broken up runs & I personally don’t like it, but I know people who do! Every one is different.
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This is the time of year to just do what you can. It’s great to be consistent but it’s also great to enjoy the holiday, or take some time fr yourself.
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I agree! Many seem to put a lot of pressure on themselves to keep active during the holidays. A few days missed here & there won’t hurt!
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I love seeing the holiday lights! They always make me smile. There are days when I don’t want to run either but I remind myself that skipping runs will not help me toe the start line in my 50k race.
Thank you for linking up with us!
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You’re welcome, Zenaida! I think everyone has different motivations to keep moving.
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Great tips! What helps me is allowing myself to not have such high expectations. There are so many hours in a day, so if I can only run two miles instead of four or five, I tell myself that two miles is better than none. It doesn’t always work, but at least I’m getting in a run.
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Well you know I get my miles in where I can & am fond of saying something is better than nothing because it’s true!
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I have a “something short is better than nothing at all” approach. Even if it’s just a couple miles, I try to get rather than skip it completely.
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I do too, but unfortunately so many people get hung up on “should”.
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