Hello! Welcome to Tuesday Topics, which I host with Jenn from Runs With Pugs. Today’s topic is What helps you stay motivated through the winter’s blah months?
Well… I’m not really a good person to speak on this topic. January and February are our most beautiful months in South Florida. We have some “cold” snaps, where we can get down to the 50s (or even 4os, gasp!) overnight, but our daytime temperatures usually top out in the upper 60s or 70s.
I mean… if I can’t be motivated to get out there and run now, there’s something wrong with me! It’s harder to stay motivated in the heat of the summer. Plus, as I’ve mentioned, I have a big race coming up in March, so I have all the reason in the world to keep up with my training. I will be interested to see if any of you hardy northerners write on this topic though! I would definitely need extra motivation to train in the cold and snow.
When we were in Tampa, it got COLD. One morning it was 34 degrees! This was a running day for me, and I forgot to bring hat and gloves (I got them out, but forgot to pack them). Luckily the hotel gym had a treadmill, so I ran inside instead. I know… people up north are laughing at me.
Let’s talk about the Bears. SOB!!! Wow, that game was a heartbreaker. But what about the Famous Touchdown Pass at the end of the 4th quarter??? That will give us something to think about for a while. For this game, I made Chicago-style deep dish pizzas!
I used this recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction, and just subbed vegan ingredients (vegan butter, vegan cheese, and tempeh bacon). I had originally said I would make this if the Bears got to the Super Bowl. Good thing I decided to make it for this game instead (sigh…)
Moving on. I’m usually pretty bummed when our annual trip to Tampa is over, but luckily this week I have another mini-adventure. My daughter is playing in an honor band festival at University of Miami (I know- does she ever go to actual school? Third quarter is tough, there’s a lot of extra things going on!)
In the past, I’ve driven her down there (it’s a horrible drive with tons of traffic no matter what time you’re going), driven back up to work, and then driven back down after work to pick her up and IT’S A TERRIBLE DAY! This year, I finally came to my senses. I took Friday off of work, and will drive her down and stay in Miami all day. I usually avoid Miami (because of the aforementioned drive) but there really are some cool things to see and do. Not sure what I’ll be doing yet- but I’ll figure it out. Instead of dreading the day as I usually do, now I’m looking forward to it.
Link Up With Tuesday Topics
Welcome back to Tuesday Topics, as Jenny, from Runners Fly joins Jenn at Runs With Pugs to co-host this link-up! Please join us every week for a new topic! Write on our weekly prompt or choose your own topic! Make sure to add your post to the link up, link back to your hosts, and comment on the other shared posts!
Next week- free topic!
27 Responses
Oh, that does sound like a good idea to spend the day down in Miami! How long is the drive there, including traffic?
Hopefully, you will find some interesting book stores and coffee shops there. You could even get a cool run done on the beach.
I don’t think any bloggers that we know of live there, do they?
I think the drive is something like 9 billion hours. Okay just kidding. I just looked it up and it’s 1 hour 15 minutes without traffic- but there’s almost always traffic, and the times we’re going and coming back from this festival are during rush hour.
I’m definitely planning a run, bookstores, and coffeeshops! You know me well : )
So glad you had lots of fun in Tampa! And I’m not laughing at you, Jenny, at 34° I’d need to cover my ears and fingers, too.
Have a great time in Miami! I’m sure you’ll find lots of fun things to get into while there.
I need to cover my ears and fingers at 45 degrees! But I always run in shorts- my legs are fine.
I’ve driven down to Miami when I’ve visited your area. Lots of traffic but I’m sure you’ll find fun things to do.
Sounds your calf is healed. Yay.
Yes, the calf is doing well! And- if I’m only driving there and back once in the day, I won’t be stressed. Definitely fun things to do down there.
Have fun in Miami! That’s a smart idea to just spend the day there.
Thank you Nicole! I’ve learned from my previous mistakes.
Miami is going to be fun. Unless I’m doing things that I have to reserve in advance, I really don’t like to have a rigid plan either. It’s better to go in with a list and start doing things based on interest/availability.
My motivation tips for cold weather are to embrace the treadmill and to get caught up on your TV watching! Inevitably there’s a six week stretch this time of year where it’s just too tough to be outside, and ours has started. Now mind you, I’m down south in Tampa like conditions, but I’ll be going back tomorrow.
Are you still in NOLA? I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Have fun in Miami. I love that you’re making a “day of it” rather than spending it in the car.
It is cold and snowy here so outside exercise is… not as much fun. Though I went sledding yesterday and MUST get to the ski hill this week. No excuses, Elisabeth!!!
I’m not really into football, but I did watch the end of the Bills game and that was a heartbreaker, too!
Yes, that was another close, exciting game! I didn’t have a strong preference in that one so I was just able to appreciate a good game.
Embrace the cold! Sledding and skiing sound fun- I mean, for you. I’ll just stay down here where it’s warm. I hope you get to the ski hill!
Good call to take the day off and spend the time down in Miami. If all else fails, you can always find a B&N or Starbucks to camp out in!
34 degrees is COLD for Florida. It’s not the kind of weather you can run in any clothing in so I completely understand why you opted for the dreadmill! Winter running is hard here in Minnesota between the ice and extreme cold. It’s extremely icy this year as we got a bunch of rain a few weeks ago and then the temps dropped quickly and it is covered in layers of snow. I walked to get the boys on one of our mild 40 degree days and it was so terribly icy that I totally regretted it. So all that is to say that I do not run outdoors in the winter in Minnesota. A few years ago I fell 3 different times on ice even though I was wearing yak trax! They are no match for the black ice we sometimes get. There are people who run year round but they typically have to wear this special darth vader-looking face mask. So I am just OUT on running in the ice and cold. I’m glad I have OTF right now. It’s definitely peak season for a place like that so classes are busy but they can adjust the class type to accommodate more people. And because it’s busy, I have to book in advance which means looking at my calendar to figure out when I can fit a class in (which is about a 90 minute commitment between the hour class plus the drive/from the studio). So I’m pretty unimpacted by the snow and cold right now, aside from feeling incredibly cooped up with my loud children (well, just one child is loud actually…).
Eek. Honestly , that sounds awful. But I guess you’re used to it- you’re definitely figuring out what you can do and how to go about getting it done. I would also be really worried about slipping on the ice. I used to run outside year-round when I lived up there, but I was a teenager (and early 20s) so I guess I was fearless. I’ve heard too many stories about people slipping on the ice and breaking bones- it’s not worth it.
Definitely good call on taking the day off. I still have distinct memories of the last time I was in south Florida and we drove from Weston to Miami and I remember thinking OMG THE TRAFFIC!! People were driving so fast and there were so many lanes and I don’t know…. I remember thinking, NO THANK YOU, I couldn’t drive in this all the time!! Ha. I guess people must get used to it – I feel like I never hear SHU complain about the traffic? But I remember thinking it was downright scary! When I go visit SHU hopefully in the near-ish future, I guess I’ll have to see if my memory holds true or if I was being a wimp that day. haha.
And yes, what a heartbreaker Bears game!! I know, they’re our rivals, but I’m not a hateful fan nor do I hold grudges, so I was fine with rooting for the Bears this time around! Gotta support the NFC North however we can! I truly thought they had it in the bag….. SO disappointing! I was really thinking this could be their year. However…. dang the Seahawks looked GOOD this weekend, like lean mean fighting machines. (I mean… or were the 49ers just that bad?! I don’t know. Also, I think the Seahawks’ uniforms make them look extra fierce, lol.) What I’m saying is that had the Bears gotten through, I’m not sure what fate really awaited them anyway, but it sure would have been nice to try! It was also such a heartbreaker for the Bills, too. Playoff football never disappoints! (Well- it does. You know what I mean!)
No, i know- playoff football is exciting! I’m rooting for the Seahawks now, although I’m not as invested in who wins anymore.
SHU doesn’t have to drive down to Miami on a regular basis, but I know they do go down because they have family there. I agree it seems confusing and dangerous with all the lane changes and different expressways. I guess if you did it all the time you would at least know where you were going!
Our weather is pretty similar here this time of year and it’s definitely the best time to be outside so it’s not hard to stay motivated! The only thing that sucks is that we have a lot of snowbirds visiting from up north in the winter and they take up the trails which is really annoying. But obviously everyone wants to be outside when it’s sunny and in the mid-70s, so I try to enjoy this time of year as much as I can because I know what’s coming in a couple of months…
The deep dish pizza looks amazing! Sorry about the Bears though. I’m not a football fan so I honestly don’t care who goes to the Super Bowl, though it would be cool if the Broncos did because I grew up in Colorado so I have some ties to the team.
You could very well get your wish- I think the Broncos very likely will end up in the Super Bowl.
Ha, I can just imagine how annoying it is to have snowbirds crowding up your trails! I mean, you pay your dues by living there year-round, then they come down just for the beautiful months. Hrumph- I’m indignant on your behalf.
You know, there was one year, when I first got into running, when I ran outside when the weather was in the 20s – I’m not sure what motivated me then, but I just can’t make myself do it anymore. It does make me somewhat wistful not to get out running, and I don’t even like running that much. It’s in the 30s here and I will go for a long walk and see people running and I think, “Isn’t that nice…”
How lovely to have a day to yourself in Miami – I hope you have some good adventures.
That Bears game was something. My Husband put on a brave face, saying that that’s how it goes and he’s hopeful for next year, but I could tell he was really disappointed. Being a fan is so emotionally exhausting. At least Indiana University won their football game last night, so that perked everyone up a little bit.
Hahahaha…. except for those of us who were rooting for Miami! It was a double blow. Oh well… it’s just a game. Sigh.
When I was in my teens and 20s I ran outside no matter how cold it was! I’m not even sure I knew treadmill running existed back then. Now I’m a wimp.
What do I do to combat winter blues? Nothing. I’m Russian and I love winter.
Winter sports help, like skates. Feeling the frosty air whoosh past your ears- FUN!
New Jersey is nowhere NEAR as cold as my region of Russia but still. Skates, ice and music- a perfect combo.
It is always harder for me to get out there in the heat of the summer as well. 40’s and 50’s sounds delightful for running!
Mmmh that deep dish looks amazing. Also, VERY SMART to stay in Miami for the day. The drive sounds terrible, so at least you can make the best of it.
I’m not a northerner, but I also would have opted for the treadmill if I didn’t have a hat and gloves!
The Bears game was a heartbreaker for sure, but that 4thQ TD had us screaming!
Sounds like a good plan for Miami!
It’s making me so angry that my joints are messing with me because this is my FAVORITE time to get outside and go for a walk in the middle of the day. It’s so nice out! Gah. Hopefully, February is my month!
Have fun in Miami! I’ve only been to board a cruise ship, ha.
Ok, IDK anything about The Bears, but I’m sorry that was hard.
But, Jenny! THAT PIZZA!! It looks amazing!
Oh, that pizza looks delish! I love deep dish, but never make it.
Oooh, I can’t wait to hear what you did in Miami! That’s my old stomping ground and I know things have changed quite a bit, but it would be fun to hear about.
Even though I am also in Florida, it does get pretty gray and freezing here. Some mornings the cold keeps me in bed, and the dreariness brings me down. It’s a short period, but it still takes me down.