Life's little adventures, accompanied by a running watch

Friday, January 25, 2013

Ho Hum

Maybe it’s the winter blues, maybe it’s the relentless work schedule, maybe it’s the lingering letdown from accomplishing my crazy goal of StoneCat 50 miler in November.  Or maybe it’s a combination.  Whatever it is, it’s equating to a feeling of “Ho Hum”.

Scott reminded me the other day “you usually get this way during the winter”.  And even though I may have wanted to debate that point, he’s right.  I hate being cold and I hate the dark. I feel tired before I start some days.  And yet I live in the Northeast, where it’s cold and dark for so very long.  Match made in heaven, right?

Last weekend, I joined Meaghan for a 13 miler and felt fantastic.  You know, that feeling that confirms a good workout – sore legs, tired, almost a sun kissed face (due to cold wind of course).  As the new week began, I fizzled.  This week was particularly cold, but in addition to that discomfort, I also had a business trip to the even colder area of Vermont.  We’re talking temperatures of negative 10 – and that’s without the wind chill.  We’re also talking about making sure my car was backed into the hotel parking space just in case the battery needed jumping.  It didn’t, but boy my car was not happy about having to start during such cold temperatures.

I managed one 4 miler on the hotel treadmill and that was it.  I can’t say I was being lazy per se, but just a feeling of “ho hum” or “whatever”.  Not good.  Although I’m not running Boston this year (pout), I have signed up for a Spring marathon.  So it’s not like I have nothing on my calendar.  Time to kick my own butt.  And stat!

So what to do to get out of the Ho Hum space?  Here’s my plan:

Run with a friend as much as possible – I usually enjoy solo runs for the most part, but running with a friend makes it more fun.  Plus it provides great and free therapy! 


Monitor what I’m eating/drinking – When I’m “all in” to my training, I become a better eater and drinker.  I do what I have to in order to avoid bonking on a run, so that means taking the time to creating a good/healthful dinner and drinking water or other non-Coca Cola products.  My dessert should come in the form of a multi-vitamin.


Reduce my time on the computer – This is more about work related computer time, but let’s face it, it’s very easy to gaze mindlessly into the computer screen at absolutely nothing and suddenly find you’ve lost hours of your life you can’t get back.

Reframe my picture – Stop thinking “I have to run XX miles” and think of it more as “I get to run XX miles”.  Huge difference!


Obviously I could do what a lot of people do and head to FL right about now.  That would solve a lot of issues!  But for what I’ve got to work with right now, I think it’s realistic to give the above a shot.  “Ho hum” is not a good feeling to have about anything.  I’m hoping to recharge by simply acknowledging that this is a tough time of year, but that I also have some control over how I react to it. 

And I’ll start with a long run that I “get to” run, of course!

How do you manage the winter blues?



17 comments:

  1. can I use that? "I get to run" that is fantastic! I will start by using it now, because when I found out that those freezing cold runs were simply cold (no added benefits) I wanted to cry. My butt hurts, my legs hurt and I am exhausted, but all i got in this week was 20 :( ooh! but now I can say : I got to run 20 miles this week! Thanks Lisa! you are the best!

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    1. Thanks Kirsten! 20 miles is nothing to sneeze at. All we can ever do is keep getting out the door, right?

      I took my own advice today and got out there (actually in your neighborhood) and even at the worst hills, thought to myself "I'm so lucky I get to do this"

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  2. Good post! I loved the ending, especially as I am about to go to sleep and get up and run 20+ miles tomorrow. It is snowing outside and going to be chilly (though not as cold as earlier this week). I am both dreading and looking forward to it. I need to tell myself I get to go out and run loooong tomorrow!

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    1. Glad it resonated with you! Long runs are hard (I read your post), but you got out there and that is half the battle. I did too and although cold & exhausting, I'm happy I did it. Wore the Garmin but really more for distance & elevation (holy hills!!).

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  3. I've heard vitamin D supplements can help a lot during the winter months, and my friend always wears really bright, fun socks and paints her toes *summer* colors so when she pulls her feet out of her snow boots she sees cheery feet :) "I get to" vs "I have to" is definitely one of my favs!

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    1. Funny, my husband slipped me a Vit D this morning. Yes, he reads my blog :)

      Love "wears really bright, fun socks and paints her toes *summer* colors so when she pulls her feet out of her snow boots she sees cheery feet". I might have to incorporate that, thanks!!

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  4. Winter blues are no fun! Those are all great ideas for feeling good during this time. On the plus side, the sun is rising earlier and earlier each day!

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    1. Great point made by you! YES, bring on the extra daylight for sure :)

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  5. Great post! I sometimes find myself in the same kind of mindset and have to pull myself out. You definitely have the right ideas though. The cold weather is enough to make me not want to run but I have to remind myself that there are no excuses!

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    1. I practiced what I preached yesterday and got out for a good, hard 16 miler. Feeling better already!!!

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  6. Running is how I manage the winter blues. Sure, it sucks running in the cold or giving in and using a treadmill, but before running, this time of year got me sooooo down.

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    1. Hey there, thanks for stopping by!

      I agree, running is the magic pill for me to feel better when I'm feeling "blah". I got back out there for a long run yesterday, so already feeling better :)

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  7. I plan to spend February, 2014 in Ft Lauderdale, so you can come down for a couple of week-ends! That'll cheer you up. Then you come back home refreshed! See? I'll fix it.

    Luv you!

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    1. Aw, one of the reasons for Mom is cuz she fixes stuff :) Keep heading to warm climates and I will follow....

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  8. The winter months play games with my focus. I need more sunlight! I need to sweat on a run and not shiver!! Thanks for all your great suggestions!!

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    1. I figured I had lots of company w/ this post! It's snowing this afternoon, but if I can get SOME sun once in awhile, I'm doing OK.

      Can't wait to turn those clocks ahead....

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  9. I completely know that feeling! I do much better with it on days where I have run or done some other form of a workout. Usually though, I don't want to do that workout at the beginning of the day. Having someone meeting me for the workout always GETS me there. The workout does the rest. ;)

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