![]() ![]() I have many athletes that “save” their TV time for when they’re on the treadmill or bike trainer. If you associate treadmill runs as a difficult task, it will show up that way for you. A new study showed that distraction can play a positive role in your running, and that first starts with how you approach your indoor run. Running on the treadmill is always an option, albeit one that elicits mixed emotions. When the snow is drifting, the wind is whipping, and the temperatures are bitter cold, you don’t have to fight the elements. New trails and routes can be the slight shift you need to help you get out, explore, and find something unexpected right in your backyard. To keep in the moment, you may want to seek out well-decorated homes to show your family later, find a new place to eat, or find your own place of solitude on a new trail. Changing up your route will help you feel more engaged and more aware of your surroundings as you run. This could mean exploring a new neighborhood, driving to a different part of town, or just taking a slightly different route from normal. When you’re fighting daylight, it can feel like you’re stuck in a rut and may simply need a change in scenery. The simple act of showing up, seeing other people fighting the elements, and enjoying the camaraderie during the warm-up and cool-down is reason enough to show up. As a coach, I encourage athletes to still do their workout independently of the group so that they can stick to their training plan. Don’t be afraid to flex your schedule so that your easy runs fall in a more convenient time or day of the week. ![]() However, if you’re meeting a friend for a morning run or your running group for an evening jaunt, it becomes a whole lot easier to brave the elements. ![]() Putting on a headlamp on a cold evening can feel very difficult - maybe even insurmountable. When we’re running out of daylight, it’s easy to come up short on motivation. These are important to have, especially if you live in a rural area or have to fight traffic on the side of the road. There are entire companies committed to your safety when it comes to running in lowlight, from light vests, to waist lamps, to reflective pants and adhesive stripes. Wear Bright Gear While Running in the Dark If you live in a cloudy climate, you may consider working with a professional to find Vitamin-D and other supplements to keep you healthy year-round. It can also be beneficial to move your runs to daybreak or midday to maximize sun exposure during the week - getting as much time as you can outside in the daylight is imperative. Phototherapy is very effective and is commonly used by athletes in northern climates to help regulate serotonin and melatonin levels. Maximize Your Exposure to SunlightĪ common remedy for seasonal affective disorder is utilizing a light box during the day to help replicate light exposure. If you’re feeling like it’s “worse than normal”, you may want to see your primary care physician and discuss a few options. Reduced levels of sunlight effectively throw off your circadian rhythm and also cause a drop in serotonin and melatonin, leaving you feeling moody and sapped of energy. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is your body’s natural response to the changing of the seasons. Be Savvy About Seasonal Affective Disorder Here are six things you can do to get out the door for your run and make the experience as pleasant as possible. That doesn’t mean you don’t care about your goals - you’re just battling the change of the seasons. ![]() If you’re like me, fighting to get out of bed is a real thing this time of year. In the Northern Hemisphere, we’re entering a time of the year in which the days are getting shorter, the temperatures are slowly creeping down, and the alarm clock seems even harder to listen to. ![]()
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