I have restarted C25K -I stopped last year due to a knee injury. But I now have the bug to run again and this morning finished WK3 R3.
I like to run early before work as in the evenings I just want to chill out and I know I wouldn't find motivation after work. I live near a lovely park where I am currently running but it has no lamps and worried about where to run come Winter... How do you find motivation to run in winter, especially when there are only so many lit roads around and it is darker in the mornings/evening??
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Jennifer_H_B
Graduate
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I'm interested in this too having only been running since March/April when we've had good weather.
I'm just hoping the desire to continue to achieve will do it, but I am worried about the light issue cos I run early morning through areas where I don't expect there will be lighting..
You do have to adapt your running, change times and venues, but running in the dark is quite fun! Get plenty of hi Vis gear, and wear layers. I am like you, I prefer morning runs but I out run the dog now do I need to run without him so I've had to change to evenings during the week (which is very annoying!) motivating myself to go out after work is hard! But as you may have read already, it's all about getting yourself out the door, do the trick for me is to get the running stuff out before I leave and just think about the route I'm going to do while at work, trying to keep it positive and come home, change into the runners and GO! Don't engage the brain, before the brain realises it, you are already started!
It's a case of looking to see where and how you can adapt
During the winter I curtail my running to mainly 'out and backs' which I hate but from our village to the next two can be done on lit side roads. My one circular route of a couple of miles (which I run in both directions) is on pavement and not fully lit so I use a head torch on the darker bits. None of my local trails are lit and so I only use them at the weekends.
Motivation is another matter but somehow the guilt of not doing a run gets me out of bed as I know I will feel better once it's done - and I actually prefer to run when it's colder.
My ideal would be these light days/nights with a crisp, dry, cold atmosphere!
I do love the colder runs so much more too- so in that respect, I am looking forward to Winter. My worry is the dark nights. I am going to start working out lit routes in the area.
I am still working my way through the weeks, but I know how much better I feel after completing a run!
I more or less run the same places as I do in the summer. Most of my runs are on the road and I'm an early morning runner too. I set the alarm to just before dawn in the winter months and I get up and go. Sure it's all cold and frosty, but I put on those man-tights (covered by shorts, obviously) and my really light running jacket to keep the wind and rain off me and I'm nice and warm within the first 500m!
Oh - and safety first right? Hi-Vis pretty much mandatory for road running in winter in my opinion.
Have you thought about joining a running club? Easier to get motivated if you're committed to go on a particular evening, it's safer being in a group and it makes you push yourself in a way that you wouldn't do on your own. Besides Park Run, it's the best thing I've ever done for my running. For morning runs, much as others have said, it's just a case of adapting your route so that you stick to main roads. I'm fortunate in that I live in the city centre so lighting isn't a problem. Clothing you need layers but beware over-dressing as you will soon heat up once you start running. Yet another shopping opportunity though :o)
Re. the question about running on ice, you can buy tracks to go on your trainers to stop you slipping - I think they're called Yak Trax or something similar.
I have looked up about the local park run on a Sat morning and intend to go when my C25K hit the 5k mark. I've just smashed WK3 and I cover about 3k. I am very much looking forward to joining the local Park Run. I have a 3K charity Run to do first!
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