This is an updated post from about 6 years ago, previously titled “5 Reasons to Love Running in February”. The truth is, it is hard to love running in February, but there are ways to make it more enjoyable. Also, my views on winter running have changed over the years so I felt it was a good time to update this post. No matter what your feelings are about running in February, I hope that reading this helps you stay positive over the next few weeks!
5 Reasons to Enjoy Running in February
It may seem like February is one of the worst months for running, but it doesn’t have to be! It’s all about perspective. Focus on these reasons to enjoy running this month and maybe running will treat you well, and you will make the most of this challenging month.
It’s still cold out, but we have adjusted
After about 3 months of winter, we are now acclimated to running in cold weather. We may not enjoy it, but usually it allows us to run faster than we could in the heat. (As I am updating this in 2023, we have had a VERY mild winter, so on the days it is actually cold it feels pretty challenging. I am always comparing my cold runs to how difficult it is to run in the heat!)
You may be finishing your off-season
Many of us cut back on running after a fall race, or during the winter, and this is the time that we are thinking about getting back to training. Maybe you have fresh legs from some lower mileage and cutting back on speedwork for a couple of months!
It’s almost the spring race season
It’s around this time that many runners are starting to train for spring races. For races in April or May, February is still early enough in the training cycle that the runs aren’t too long. It’s still the time of early-training-plan excitement when you are happy to be following a schedule again and not too worn out from training.
February is the last real month of winter!
I think most runners consider March the beginning of spring running. We just have to make it through the (short) month of February and then we can enjoy warmer weather! (Maybe….probably not…) This is what I tell myself every year, but we still tend to have cold days in March and April. However, they are not AS cold and it starts to feel like spring is in the air.
We are starting to get more daylight for running in February
In the morning the sun is starting to rise earlier which means those of us who are morning runners will get to enjoy a bit of daylight as we run (until daylight savings begins in a few weeks!). It is also staying lighter in the evenings, perfect for those who run later in the day.
While it can be tough to make it through the last few weeks of winter, we are getting closer to warmer weather, more sunshine, and longer days. Try to embrace February and make the most of this time of year. Before you know it we will all be complaining about the heat again!
What do you enjoy about running in February?
Are you training for a race? Finishing up your off-season?
You may also like:
5 Tips to Help Runners Stay Motivated During the Winter
5 Ways for Runners to Handle Winter Weather
Spring Running in February
You are so lucky to have cold, crisp weather. Last night was my first real speed session in a long time and man was it tough. It was so hot and humid out I was worried my heart would jump out of my chest and fall into a huge puddle of my own sweat! 😀
I couldn’t imagine having hot weather all year! The cooler weather is a nice change but anything below 25 is too cold for me.
it’s definitely getting lighter earlier which makes me happy! I keep thinking it’s only a few more weeks of winter turmoil before running outdoors every day is a non issue!
We definitely made it through the hardest part. Hopefully we will get away with no more snow the rest of the season!
The more daylight thing is so awesome! I am loving it. and knowing that we will have less and less below zero days and more in the 40s is so awesome right now… I love winter running but it is nice to make it to the other side and start in on the spring running 🙂
I can only deal with winter running weather for so long before I am ready for spring. And more daylight is always appreciated!
I agree that it is staying daylight out later however I do not believe it is the last winter mth. We always seems to get one more snow storm in March.
You’re probably right- it’s just wishful thinking!
I’m just going to go with pockets to hold your stuff, lol
Haha true! Thats probably the best part of winter running.
I like to think about February as putting in the work for spring running! There’s really nothing good about running in February. I like how you put a positive spin on it!
Its always been a tough month for me so I felt like I needed to try to stay positive. And we are almost halfway through the month already!
I love that we are getting more daylight! 🙂 This week has been weird for me as we had temperatures in the 60s on Wednesday, and then a snowstorm yesterday, and now it’s super cold outside lol
I start training for my Spring half marathon at the end of the month and I can’t wait!
This was such a strange week of weather! Good luck as you start your training!
I try not to wish away these cold days because I know I’ll be whining about running in heat. There’s plenty to love, even if running’s a jerk sometimes.
I know, its like we go from cold weather to hot and humid in just a couple of weeks. I know I will be missing cold weather when it gets hot!
My first half is the end of March, so my long runs are already long (for a half runner, anyway)!
My birthday is around the corner, quite literally, so there’s that. But our most recent snowstorm will make it a challenging month!
I bet its tough to train for a March half, especially with a snowstorm. Hopefully we are at the tail end of winter weather!
Yes starting to up my biking and swimming for tri season it is exciting. Can’t wait for the longer days
Its always exciting to start training and increasing mileage especially when the weather is improving.
I wish Feb was the last month of winter! But come on, we both know we’re going to have snowstorms in March!
I hope not but you are probably right!
I love the more daylight. Once I realize the days are getting shorter, my SAD kicks in. Then I get happy again when the days are longer and there’s more sunlight 🙂
Its so nice to have more daylight!
Okayyyyy okay Lisa. I’ll be a good girl and be positive about February. It’s SOOO HARD THOUGH. *sniff*
OK, you can complain, I think you have had it pretty bad this month already! Hopefully thats the end of the winter weather for you.
I don’t like running in the cold, but I love running with snow around! It just makes the routes more exciting! I think of Valentines day as the mid point of February and tell myself, that we are almost done with February! and that is cause for celebration.
I also like running in the snow when it looks pretty, but I hate ice and wind. And yes- we are almost halfway through February already!
The longer days are EVERYTHING! I figure if you can train in February, you can literally do anything — and I try to practice that belief throughout the rest of the year. Spring is on the horizon, happy running!!!
Its definitely a month that makes you tough! Longer days and better weather are right around the corner.
I saw the title and thought, “ugh, I don’t like February!” It’s still rainy season here (that seems to peak in November and again in February) but it also coincides with peak training for my favorite half marathon, so there’s lots of running in the rain. That said, I do love the warmer temperatures and getting to wear shorts sometimes, and more daylight is always a positive!
Its usually a tough month for training. But those first few spring runs in shorts with more daylight are always so exciting!
Hopefully it’s the last month of winter. I’m looking forward to the sun rising earlier. I’m training for my 3rd marathon in April.
I hope that you have good weather for your training!
I like your positive spin on this! Seeing the days get longer is such a win!
Seeing the run rise earlier makes me feel like spring is almost here!
Hallelujah to the more daylight! Except I need more warm days… baby steps.
YES to everything you mentioned. It’s like you had an eye into my “sole” (pun intended), because these are the very thoughts I’ve had all week. I have noticed the days getting longer…in the evening (I still have not gotten back to my early morning running routine). I have a 10-miler in 5 weeks, and that will be the start of my spring training as I get ready for a couple of half marathons and a full in June.
Even though its been cold the longer days help a bit. Hopefully as your mileage increases the weather will improve!
This is a great time to run in Florida so I cannot complain! Cheers to a warm Spring for you!
Hope you enjoy some nice running weather before it gets really hot!
For us, February is just the same as any other month, with a few colder days sprinkled in. Case in point, the high for my race on Sunday will be 81F. What is up with that?
It is nice to be having some more daylight, though. I appreciate that for sure.
Wow, 81 for a February race! Hope it goes well!
These are all great reasons to love running in Ferbruary. Living in Florida I am happy I don’t have to deal with the cold reason.
That must be so nice to not have to deal with the cold, although Im sure the heat would get to me after awhile!
Haha I’ve been telling myself that it’s the last real month of winter to make myself feel better. I know March always stays pretty oddly cold and likes to drop one good snow on us in Baltimore though.
I know- Im hoping we dont get hit with a late season storm since the rest of the winter has been pretty mild!
This has been such a weird winter that I feel like I haven’t had the chance to adapt at all. One day it’s 65*, the next it’s 25*. My body just can’t keep up this year.
In Northern WI, Februrary is far from the last month of winter! Heck I’m concerned it might not be warmed up by the time my Marathon comes around in May! ok, maybe not that bad, but winter lingers! but I do love running outside year round!
Racing for me in in full swing! I’ve enjoyed cooler temps although some have been very very mild. I can’t complain about wearing a tank and shorts in Feb though.
I am seeing a difference in the daylight hours when I get off work so that fact always helps my mood!
Bring on Spring!
Blogger friends of mine in Germany are doing a special February challenge to keep them motivated. Luckily, February is short and spring is around the corner!
Since I normally do spring races, February is usually a higher mileage month for me. We cannot complain about the weather this month!
February is a tough month. This particular year we’ve had a lot of spring-like temps, only to pivot back to the frigid winter reality, and that bites, LOL. My early morning runs aren’t back on a consistent routine ((yet)), but I’m really loving the extended daylight after work!
Yes on getting darker later… really important…
and it’s the start of training for all those spring races.
Our February is a little different than yours, so it’s actually a super pleasant time to run. I am not looking forward to the warmer months.
I was planning my comment and happened to read Jenn’s comment above. My February is a lot different than yours too. Actually this has been a wild weather year. Lots of rain storms, colder than normal weather, and it’s gone on longer than usual. Still I don’t have to deal with snow!
I really love that the days are getting longer and I’m not going to be happy when Daylight Savings Time starts and I’m running in the dark again.