We all get stagnant from time to time. Sometimes our training gets monotonous or the routine gets boring or we’re just flat tired. We get it. As athletes we’ve been there too.

How can you overcome this as an athlete, especially in the middle of winter?? Check out a few tips below and reboot your motivation to train, stay in shape and reach a new goal.

NEW RACE NEWBIE – You might not be new to racing but switch up your event schedule for the season ahead. Try a new race OR a new distance within that race. This can help excite your passion again for training, focusing on a new goal and staying inspired.

VOLUNTEER – Seriously this sounds a little nuts, but it works. Signup to volunteer at a couple of the races you’ve done in the past OR have done a few times as an athlete. See some of that race magic from the other side. There’s still plenty of excitement and action with little to no anxiety. It’s a great way to give back to the race community as well.

INVITE FRIENDS – Social racing, training and staying motivated can be powerful. Having group (even if it’s just you and one other friend, coworker or family member) can really boost your resolve with training. Sometimes a group can challenge you to push a bit within your training and goals to a new level you may not have thought previously possible.

NEW GOALS – Not totally into changing up your routine? Still feeling as if you want to take on those same races – we get it. That’s perfectly fine too. Look at the last one or two times you raced a specific event and see if you want to try for a new course time or PR. Perhaps you’d like to try and hit the podium in your age group or tackle running without as many breaks. Whatever the outcome is, try setting a new goal for yourself and see where it takes you in your daily motivation and staying focused.

Mix up your season variety with a new race!