Winter Running Excuses Debunked & Running Shoes Giveaway

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. If I hated them, I'd tell you. 

Just as the trees shed their leaves, autumn brings in the perfect opportunity to shed our excuses. It's the season of change. We can either use it to motivate us or use it as an excuse. 

As a running coach and personal trainer I try to help my clients overcome their excuses. What is holding you back? What are the things you tell yourself that are keeping you from progressing? 

Sure, sometimes there are legitimate reasons that we can't run, but a lot of times it is our own excuses, rationalizations and justifications that hold us back. I am not exempt. As the holidays approach we all get a little busier, the weather gets a little colder and the sometimes the excuses start to pile up like presents under the tree. 

I challenge you to examine your excuses and go into the this holiday season more motivated than ever. Need some outside motivation? GORE-TEX® is hosting #owntherun, a social contest that invites runners to overcome their excuses in the spirit of progress.

You can enter by visiting www.gore-tex.com/owntherun or through a tab on the GORE-TEX® Products North America Facebook page and answer the question:

"What will you conquer to #owntherun?"

There are weekly giveaways of the latest men's and women's running shoes with GORE-TEX® liner:

Brooks Ghost 9 GTX® Shoe

Asics Cumulus 18 GTX® Shoe

Saucony Ride 9 GTX® Shoe

One grand prize winner will receive head-to-toe running gear including new running shoes with GORE-TEX® liner, running shorts, running pants, jackets, headphones, a watch and more! Here are some common excuses people use over the holidays. How will you overcome your excuses? Enter the contest between October 11 through November 8, 2016.

WINTER RUNNING EXCUSES DEBUNKED

"I DON'T HAVE TIME / I'M TOO BUSY"

Between the holiday parties, the dinners, the shopping, your kids, your friends and your need for at least six hours of sleep a night, sometimes it can feel like there just aren't enough hours in the day to get in your runs during the week. But the truth is exercise is just like anything else, if you make it a priority you can find the time.

One success strategy is to get up early to get it done before the rest of the world wakes up. If you're not a morning person, then schedule those workouts on your calendar. Failing to plan is planning to fail. Schedule your workouts like you would any important meeting.

Another way to find time is to multi-task your workouts. Run on the treadmill while you catch up on your favorite show, plan a happy-hour-run (or walk) with friends instead of meeting at a restaurant or run during your lunch break at work.

Maybe you legitimately don't have an hour a day to workout but fitting in 20-30 minutes a day is all you need. Setting bare-minimum goals (for example at least one mile or 15 minutes per day) is a great way to stay consistent when life gets busy.

"I'LL START WHEN THE WEATHER GETS NICER"

My running coach used to say, "If it ain't raining, it ain't training" which I learned later was a military saying that means the troops are ready to go in even the worst conditions. The rain doesn't stop them and it doesn't need to stop us.

If you let the weather dictate your running schedule you might get out there a few times a year. If it isn't too hot, it's too cold, too windy or too wet. Unless we are talking about dangerous weather (in that case take your run indoors) we can overcome almost any weather excuse.

If you're a runner you must adopt the runners' creed: "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor cold of night...." Wait. I think that one belongs to the US post office, but the runners' creed should be the same.

In wet weather GORE-TEX® lining technology in some of the top running shoe brands prevents rain and snow from from entering the inside of the shoe but still allows your feet to breathe for ultimate comfort in uncomfortable weather. I am wearing the Brooks Ghost 9 GTX running shoe. You can win them too!

Feel the pull to the pavement

Another common excuse this time of year is the cold weather, but this is an easy excuse to overcome. You just need to dress for success. The rule of thumb is to dress as it is 10-20 degrees warmer than the current temperature. Wear a zip-up layer over a synthetic-blend base so you can shed layers if needed as you warm up. Look for performance-wicking fabrics that pull moisture away from the body to keep you warm and dry. Cover your head, fingers and knees. You can lose a lot of heat through your extremities so a hat and gloves can go a long way in keeping you warm in cold temperatures.

"I'LL ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS AND START OVER JANUARY 1ST"

it is easy to slip into the holiday mindset and let yourself off the hook until January when everyone else is making their New Year's Resolutions. But what if you start now? What if you get a head start on your goals and come out on the other side of the holidays healthier than before? Want to enjoy the holidays? Great. You tend to enjoy life more overall when you're exercising and eating well. You can have fun, make room for indulgences and run. If you make time to run during the holidays you'll be more successful managing stress and your weight.

So what are your excuses? What are you going to overcome to #owntherun?  Head over to www.gore-tex.com/owntherun or enter through a tab on the GORE-TEX® Products North America Facebook page and answer the question:

"What will you conquer to #owntherun?"

Here is my entry: " I have a tendency towards a "I'll start tomorrow" mindset when it comes to the holidays. Since I know this is a potential downfall for me, I'll be aware of my thoughts and actions and commit to not using this excuse. I know if I want to make changes stick, they need to start now, not tomorrow."

GORE-TEX® wants to give you the confidence, encouragement and gear that allows you to #owntherun. They want you to feel empowered by the GORE-TEX® brand and encourage you to progress as a runner by overcoming your excuses. Giveaway runs between October 11 and November 8, 2016

Now Ollie and I are off for a run outside the #shredshed.

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Keep Running,

Lea



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