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Paul Long: Staying motivated to run in the cold isn’t easy; some tips for staying motivated this winter


Karen Wheeler, Jim White, Corine Pitts, and Jon Minzner take to the trails in Big Bone Lick State Park (Photo by Briana Smith)

Karen Wheeler, Jim White, Corine Pitts, and Jon Minzner take to the trails in Big Bone Lick State Park (Photo by Briana Smith)

The writer, actor, musician, and erstwhile comedian Steve Martin once had a routine in which he explained how to become a millionaire.

The first thing you do, he said, is get a million dollars.

Runners gave a similar explanations for how they manage to keep running in the cold, dark days of December, when parties and Christmas treats often are more appealing.

Just get out and run, they say.

“Running is always fun,” said John Marshall, creative director at the Florence graphic design firm, Hello Pretzel. “(I) don’t need motivation.”

But for some, the dropping temperatures, early evening darkness, and multiple holiday alternatives make running fall by the wayside. So the question becomes: How does one fit in outside activities when other events are calling to us, or sapping our strength and energy?

Signing up and training for races is a great way to stay motivated — especially if you’re a cheapskate.

“I’m always motivated by signing up for a race,” said Andrew Wetterer, who has run ultra-marathons and Ironman triathlons. “Since I don’t like spending money and then not doing things, I sign up for a race and it means I have to train.”

It gives an added incentive to stay in shape. And plenty of races are available during the winter season — the Runners’ Club of Greater Cincinnati has a winter wonderland race, usually in January or February. Covington will host a Jingle Bell 5K on Saturday, Dec. 10.

The Turfway Tick Tock two-mile race begins at 11:45 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, meaning that runners will be racing into the New Year. And the Al Savator Memorial 5-Mile Run is held on New Year’s Day in Fort Thomas. Plenty of other Christmas- or winter-themed races can be found around town.

Preparing for those outdoor races means running in the great outdoors — regardless of the temperature, time, or degree of darkness.

“I know marathon training starts in January, and if I don’t want to die, then I run twice per week from November to January,” said Carolyn McHendry. “I also pick routes outside my hood. A change of scenery always helps my motivation.”

And sharing those runs with friends — either during or afterward, is a great motivator.

Jon Minzner, Jim White, Briana Smith, Corine Pitts, and Karen Wheeler take the sign’s literalism to an extreme during a run this week at Big Bone Lick State Park in Union (Photo by Briana Smith)

Jon Minzner, Jim White, Briana Smith, Corine Pitts, and Karen Wheeler take the sign’s literalism to an extreme during a run this week at Big Bone Lick State Park in Union (Photo by Briana Smith)

Jon Minzner of Independence said the peer pressure of running with others — knowing someone is waiting on you to share the pain — is an incentive to actually show up. “I would rarely run on a cold Wednesday night if it wasn’t for friends,” he said.

Knowing others will be there when you wake up at 6 a.m., and all you can see outside is frost on the darkened ground, makes it easier to head outdoors rather than crawl back into a warm bed.

Jude Hoffman said he joined a local running group, Run NKY, specifically so he could find friends to run with and share those runs afterward. He said he used to share all his runs, but now is more selective.

“I only share runs I am really proud of — a new route, a new partner (although I usually run by myself), a great pace, a longer distance, a rainy run, a cold run, etc.,” he said. “When it is 22 degrees, and I’m getting ready with my smart wool socks, skin lube for my face, and ski gloves, it helps knowing that, by sharing this crazy cold run, my friends will realize how completely committed I am to this activity. …  I sometimes need their following me to push me forward.”

If those early morning runs on the cold streets don’t excite you, head out to the trails. Running in the woods is often easier in the winter — the ground is frozen so it less muddy, and it’s often more forgiving. The stark beauty of a running through and around trees when their branches are bereft of leaves is exhilarating. The views become clear, and the woods come alive with the signs of nature too often hidden from view.

“With Topo doing a winter trail run series, the running ‘season’ is now 12 months long,” said Cynthia Duval of Cincinnati.

By the way, trail races are great fun. Head out to Big Bone Lick State Park when the Topo Trail series visits on Christmas Eve. You might, nay will, see some bison. Just beware of the water crossings — they can be cold, but they do a great job of cleaning off your running shoes.

And bring along a group.

“Running with friends is the only thing getting this warm-weather runner out there in the cold, along with changing up the scenery with nature trails,” said Corine Pitts of Erlanger.

And if the trails aren’t fun enough, then make your own treats — pubs runs, brewery runs, and Christmas light runs, are great way to celebrate the season, go out with friends, and get some exercise.

There is simply no better way to see the displays of Christmas lights in the various Northern Kentucky neighborhoods than slowly, from the ground level. No speeding there in a car. Instead, you see a glimmer of lights off in the distance. You wonder what’s there. As you slowly approach, the splendor of reds and greens and yellows and blues, coupled with the Santas and angels and reindeer, gets larger and more impressive. Then you are there, and the bedazzled house dazzles you. You slow down or stop and take in the sights and sounds. You snap pictures of you and your friends in front of the presentation.

Not into Christmas lights? Then taken an afternoon for a pub or brewery run. Sort of like a pub crawl, but instead you run from brewhouse to bar, ordering a drink, and then heading off to the next one. The brews help satiate you on the run — who needs water or Gatorade? — and the run helps ease the effects of those stops.

Or go streaking. Not in the 1970s sense of stripping naked and running through the park, but in the spirit of Lou Gehrig or Cal Ripken Jr. That means go running, at least a mile, every day. You can do a holiday streak — daily from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, inclusive. You can go running the 31 days of December.

It’s never too late to start. One idea I heard of this year is an advent run. Start at a half-mile, and increase a half-mile every day until you get to the halfway point. Then decrease the distance every day by a half-mile until you are done. The extra benefit? You can start any time.

Of course, a little Zen never hurt anybody. “I don’t spend anytime thinking about how cold it is or I’ll talk myself out of it,” said Christine John of Cincinnati. “I just put on the warm clothes and go.”

Finally, get out after work, especially if you are downtown. Run around the city for a while. You won’t get too sweaty, and after you run, you can drive home — with less traffic, because rush hour is over. So you get home at a decent time, and your run is done. You can enjoy the Christmas goodies.

P.S. Don’t forget the kids.

Paul Long, on the road (Photo by Kris Payler Staverman)

Paul Long, on the road (Photo by Kris Payler Staverman)


Paul Long writes weekly for the NKyTribune about running and runners. For his daily running stories, follow him at dailymile.com or on Twitter @Pogue57


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