Winter can be TOUGH for training. Shorter hours filled with light, brutally cold temperatures and ice at every turn. We get it. Is your training All or Nothing though??
What can really make a difference in your winter training & performance gains is the mindset you carry each and every day. Are you training with an “all or nothing” mentality? If you don’t complete a set or session exactly as planned, are you mad? Frustrated? Beating yourself up?
Try these THREE tips to tackle out the tough & frosty winter months of training…and to help ditch that troublesome all or nothing training mentality.
MIX IT UP – Your long run day is all set for tomorrow…but you wake up and find 96 inches of snow, ice and blasting wind out the window. Switch it up to a treadmill long run (yes, it can be boring but that can build tremendous mental strength). Do a longer cardio session on a spin bike. Shovel snow at a furious pace to get your heart rate up.
BACK BURNER – Winter months often mean cross training, alternate lower volume regimens and more recovery – if the weather throws you a wicked curve ball take it as a sign to chill on training for the day (or do cross training with less intense focus). We know sessions, time, distance and targets are important when your A race is months away or later in the year. But stressing about hitting every single mark all the time can actually be very counterproductive.
TAKE A BREAK – This one’s a no brainer sometimes. There are mornings or days where training just seems to be a complete NAG. You’re dreading it, it’s in the ‘way’, it’s inconvenient, you might not have time – the list goes on. What’s best?? Skip it! Stressing about a single training day can actually be more detrimental to your performance vs skipping it and being extra refreshed for the next day. Do yoga, meditation, stretching or gentle active recovery instead.
Winter training and icy cold weather with gray skies are a challenge for many. Stay motivated, strong and awesome…you got this!
What are your go to training motivations for winter? What keeps you grinding along?