We are almost there, but the worst could be yet to come in the Midwest. For all you southerners enjoying the near-perfect running weather, outside rides, and open-water swimming, you can skip the following 400 words and land on the part where I suggest the margaritas you are already drinking. For the rest of us, we are staring at February in his icy face and wondering how we can stay on track toward our fitness, health, and racing goals while sitting inside by fires sipping tea under fleece blankets. It’s hard, but we can do hard things, I promise.
If you are like me, you started the year with fresh eyes. You made goals, hit submit buttons, and got down to business. Weeks have passed, the sun seems to have gone into hibernation, the world is blanketed in white, and hair freezes between the pool exit and the car. It is time to crack open the box of tricks and plow our way through this month. No worries, it is short and has an intermission that includes chocolate. Here are my tried-and-true ways to make it and make the best of it.
1. Know your why
If you haven’t got a post-it, a journal entry, a scrap of paper, or a tattoo that reminds you of why you are doing what most people are not, you need one. It doesn’t have to be pretty or elaborate, although I love a good vision board; you need to know your why and put it on paper.
2. Gather your people
They are probably somewhere under a blanket, but they will come when you call. Find a running group or buddy, create a Zwift meet-up, or try a master’s swim practice. That is clearly too far for me, but someone must be brave enough to try. We need people, and they need us. We are better together.
3. Break for chocolate
It is February. You don’t need a sweetheart or a reason. You are still alive despite the attempts by mother nature to turn you into a human popsicle when running. No one is winning races this month (I’m ignoring you margarita-drinking people) but someone is enjoying the chocolate. It might as well be you.
4. Embrace it
It’s cold and gray, but perhaps the sun will shine if you try something new. Grab your post-it, buddy, and chocolate, and get outside. Now is your chance if you haven’t been snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or fat tire biking. Cross-training, fresh air, and fun are precisely what you need. Most arboretums or forest preserves rent gear at minimal cost, and you might discover a slight fondness for the white stuff. Maybe.
5. Buy yourself something fun
It will soon be spring and then summer. You will need a bright, gorgeous piece of clothing when you shed the layers. A new tri suit, cycling jersey, or run singlet strategically hanging within sight can keep you excited about what is coming. My latest favorites are from trespinas.com which happens to be having a huge warehouse sale right now! While you are at it, pick up margaritas. You never know what March has in store.
6. Share your wins, and losses
Yes, there are those moody types who don’t want to hear about your training, but I do! I love nothing more than being reminded that there are others out there having great days and not-so-great days as they chase after dreams. Flood your social media with all the amazing things you are doing and send them my way as well!
