After far too long without exercise, I’m starting from zero miles and training to run an 8K race in March with two friends! Why? Check out my first post on my goal of running an 8K.
Thursday night was incredibly productive and restful. After a week of overwhelm, I knocked out emails right and left, read the majority of the 50+ blog posts I’d been saving (is this healthy, guys?) and accomplished a slew of tiny but nagging tasks. I credit a cheery Wednesday evening of cookie therapy with my roommates and dude, followed by deep slumber. It’s amazing what a difference one good night of sleep can make.
Adjusting my sleep schedule is something I’ve learned is crucial to good health, and I’m trying to make it more of a priority. I still think back to spring of 2012, when I was both eating really well (so much food. so many new recipes. so many vegetables!) and sleeping amazingly. I can’t believe I used to go to bed around 9:00pm, then wake up naturally around 5:45am. I had so much time in the mornings to linger luxuriously in bed, cook a full breakfast and sip coffee while blogging…now that seems like another woman’s life.
When I lived in the suburbs, I had quiet, well-paved streets to run on and a forest preserve nearby for hikes or more adventurous jogs. Running into a sunset at Lake Michigan (sometimes with my roommate) was something I could enjoy regularly. I was never concerned about safety or road conditions, because I never ran in the snow.
Now I live in the city, where the roads are busy and achingly pitted with cracks and potholes. When I come home, at rush hour, cars stream down the small streets of my neighborhood–streets that are currently covered in mounds of ice and snow. Even the sidewalks are still white, as only a few owners choose to shovel.
Here, I’ve realized that running on weeknights is just not going to happen. I don’t find any pleasure in constantly stopping for cars or breathing in exhaust fumes, no matter if I’m running on a major road or a small side street. Running on these streets in the dark sounds terrifying with the current snowy conditions. Instead, an early wakeup and a run around 5:15am gives me more open roads and less rush hour traffic. And adding those extra 45 minutes to my morning means I need to start climbing into bed much, much earlier.
For the first 2.5 weeks of 8K training, I did okay with my basic training goals, leaving some room to remind myself that this is all new, and everything doesn’t change in a day. I ran 2-3 times a week, I did yoga 1-2 times and did a couple body circuits including lots of squats–my favorite! Then, the polar vortex hit. I still worked out inside a couple times, but no runs. I planned excitedly for a run last Wednesday night, but unfortunately the universe had other plans that trumped mine. And since? More snow, more ice, more freezing temperatures and wind.
It’s been almost two weeks of fail. No runs, barely any other workouts…that’s all I got.
Some things, like the weather, I can’t control. However, Eileen made the awesome suggestion of getting a month-to-month gym membership until this weather passes, and I just haven’t had time to pursue it with everything else that’s come up. Once I get a new car, that will have to go to the top of the list.
When I was running, even just a few times, even just for two weeks, I remembered how good it feels to move. I hadn’t been doing that regularly for a long, long time. Yet this time around, every time my mind would whine and complain and come up with excuses, I’d push through and make my scheduled exercise date. And after each workout, I felt incredible! I remembered what many wise people have said: “you never regret working out.” The excuses started to seem even sillier than usual, and I started to look forward to the minutes of being outdoors and moving.
I started off strong and was having a blast shuffling through the cold. My calves were loving the burn of running on snow-dusted sidewalks, going slow but working on stability every step of the way. I couldn’t run for that long, but I still enjoyed the time outside and looked forward to pushing myself a little farther the next time out.
One of the reasons that many new year’s resolutions fail is that, quite simply, change is hard. Going from not working out at all to attempting to work out 4-5 times per week was a big change for me, and I recognized that from the beginning. I’d like to see the past (almost) two weeks as a setback, but not the end of the road. Because after all, I’ve got Jenn and Eileen to run with me!
* Run 3-4 times per week, do yoga once. (Building up to running farther and farther)
* Figure out what time best works for my schedule, and incorporate it regularly into my routine (Check: It’s mornings!)
* Regularly blast Eileen and Jenn with selfies in running gear. Enjoy this, guys. (I’ve been totally remiss in my selfies, but they basically all look the same: big smile, red face, possibly frozen eyelashes.)
* Workout Saturday and Sunday. If the streets/sidewalks are clearer/safe, run. If not, do an indoor body circuit and something from Yoga Download.
* Get in bed by 9:00pm (Friday excluded), lights out by 9:30. I won’t be able to do this every day, but I want to move towards making this a regular weeknight thing.
* Make a workout schedule for this coming week on Sunday night, taking into account predicted weather patterns.
The first 3-4 weeks of training certainly had some ups and downs, but I still can’t wait to run an 8K at the end of March. As Dorie would say…just keep swimming.
Have you ever struggled to start a new workout routine? I’d love to hear your tips, especially if you have cold-weather experience too!
Staying Accountable (Even When Selfies Are Sparse)
One of the best parts of this goal is having Jenn and Eileen by my side. Even though I’ve been slacking on the running selfies (sorry, guys!), just knowing they’re expecting me at the start line in March keeps me honest. It’s easy to skip a solo run, but it’s much harder to let down friends who are counting on you. I’ve been thinking about ways to make our accountability more tangible—maybe a shared running log or a group chat where we check in after each workout. The Love Your Body Resolution series has some great ideas on building healthy habits with others.
What I’ve learned is that accountability doesn’t have to be perfect. Even a quick text saying “I’m lacing up” can be enough to get me out the door. And the promise of post-race brunch doesn’t hurt either.
Winter Running: Safety First, Sanity Second
When I first started running in the city this winter, I was naive about the conditions. Snow-covered sidewalks, icy patches, and early morning darkness are no joke. I’ve had to re-evaluate my route and my gear. Here are a few things that have helped me feel more confident:
- Invest in traction: Yaktrax or similar slip-on spikes for your shoes can be a game changer on packed snow and ice.
- Layer smart: A moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating mid-layer, and a windproof outer shell keep me warm without overheating.
- Light it up: A headlamp and reflective vest are non-negotiable when the sun rises after 7am.
- Choose well-lit, less-trafficked streets: I’ve found a few quiet side streets that are plowed earlier than others.
These adjustments have made the idea of a cold morning run less daunting. I’m still learning, but every run teaches me something new about my environment and my body.
Flexibility Over Perfection: Rethinking My Training Plan
My original plan was to run 3-4 times per week, but the polar vortex showed me that life doesn’t always cooperate. Instead of beating myself up, I’m working on being more flexible. That means swapping a run for a yoga session or a bodyweight circuit when the weather is dangerous. It also means adjusting my weekly mileage based on how I feel, not just what the calendar says.
This is a big shift for me—I tend to be an all-or-nothing person. But as I wrote in A Different Type of Cleanse, self-compassion is key to lasting change. I’m trying to treat myself like I would treat a friend: with encouragement, not criticism.
Finding Indoor Alternatives Until Spring
The idea of a month-to-month gym membership has been floating around, and I think it’s time to act on it. The cold isn’t going away soon, and I miss the energy of a good workout. In the meantime, I’ve been exploring free indoor options: YouTube yoga videos, bodyweight circuits in my living room, and even dance workouts with my roommates. It’s not the same as running outside, but it keeps me moving.
I’ve also been re-reading some of the Fitness posts on the blog for inspiration. Sometimes a little motivation from my own archives is all I need to lace up and try again.
Moving Forward: Two Weeks of Fail, But a Lifetime of Lessons
In the grand scheme of training for an 8K, two weeks off is just a small bump. I’ve already proven to myself that I can start and maintain a routine. The key is not to let this setback define my journey. I’m reminding myself of the feeling after a good run—the endorphins, the fresh air, the sense of accomplishment. That’s worth fighting for.
I’m also leaning on the wisdom from 8 Hours, Or Else! to prioritize sleep and recovery. Because when I’m well-rested, I’m more likely to make good choices for my health. So here’s to getting back on the road—slowly, safely, and with my friends by my side.