After a long, cold winter, is anyone else feeling like they need a good spring cleaning? Every year around this time I start to get excited for shorts, warmer running weather, and spring races. So why not take some time to “spring clean” your running? This is a great way to reset and refocus before spring running really begins!
1. Take a Break
If you know that you are going to want to run ALL the miles as soon as the weather gets nice, this may be a good time to back off. Take a few days or a week off of running, and maybe do some cross-training instead. You will be refreshed and ready to run when it’s warmer outside. Of course this may not work if you have a spring race right around the corner, but it might be a good idea to take a week off after your race.
2. Set some goals
Maybe you have already signed up for some spring races, or even a fall marathon. Include some smaller, short term goals to help you stay on track. And make sure you have a plan to achieve your goals!
3. Clean out your closet
This is a great time to clean out your running wardrobe! I like to pack away some of my winter running clothes to make some space in my closet. It is also a good idea to get rid of some clothes that you never wear anymore, and make room for some new things!
4. Run somewhere new
I don’t know about you, but in the winter I tend to run the same routes over and over. This is the perfect time to do some exploring and try running in a new place!
5. Check your shoes
Do you run in the same pair of running shoes every day, until one day your realize they are well past their prime? Even if you rotate your running shoes, make sure you have an idea of how much longer your shoes will last. If needed, look out for some new ones. It’s always good to have a backup pair on hand! I usually find good sales at Running Warehouse and recently discovered 6pm. I’ve also heard Dick’s Sporting Goods often has good sales on running shoes.
Have you ever “spring cleaned” your running?
Do you like to go through your running clothes at the beginning/end of a season?
Do you have spring goals or are you shifting your focus to the fall?
You may also like:
5 Tips for Choosing a Spring Racing Goal
5 Workouts For Speedy Spring Running
Now it’s time for the Runners’ Roundup! Link up your running and fitness posts below! Join myself, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Runs with Pugs , and Laura Norris Running to post your favorite running tips, experiences, race and training recaps, workouts, gear, and coaching ideas.
I do have a couple spring goals…to PR my Fight for Air Climb time (but I will not know how I place until the event ends, due to the staggered start times all morning). I’m also doing a half marathon on the 22nd, which I’ve run a few other times, but I think the route is going to be different this year. I’d like to run that with a 2:00 finish time…though it’s probably going to be hilly and the weather could be a factor (#wind).
Those sound like good goals for the spring! I hope both of your races go well!
Now that my endurance has seemingly reappeared, I do have a goal of capitalizing on that and trying to drop the walk intervals on my long runs. It’s been kind of fun to run fast again! I don’t know how long this will last, so I’m trying to make the most of it.
It’s so great that your running has felt good! Definitely take advantage of it while you can.
It’s so funny-I could have written this comment today, lol! I do have back-to-back races in April. One is on dirt, the other is a half marathon. Training has been kind of a free for all. We’ll see how it goes.
It’s always interesting to see our old comments and how much has changed- or not- over the years. That’s exciting that you have some races coming up!
This is such a cool idea! Last spring I took a 1.5 month break from running and it was the best decision I ever made! I came back to running in the beginning of the summer and my attitude was a lot more positive.
I actually am in desperate need of some new shoes now, I wore my current pair on a 13+ mile hike yesterday (which wasn’t the smartest decision ever)! Enjoy your weekend!
Taking a break from running can be really helpful! I am considering taking a little time off before the weather improves, but we’ll see.
Taking a break is always hard for me this time of the year. When I have done it in the past, it really does help mentally and physically
I think this time of year is good to take a break, especially with the weather we have been having. I know once it warms up I will want to be running a lot more!
There are a ton of running clothes I have that I should have retired years ago. I don’t know why I am still hanging on to them. I need to donate them and make room for new ones.
It definitely feels good to donate some running clothes that don’t get worn anymore!
I should total take the time now to clean out my running wardrobe. Love that idea! Maybe I’ll even do it this weekend since there’s the potential for snow. Happy spring haha.
It would definitely be a good weekend to do that!
Great tips! I just got new running shoes and next need to clean out my running cloths. I run on the treadmill all winter so I am excited to get outside.
It sure will be nice when the the weather gets warm enough to run outside again!
I’ve spring-cleaned with a running break by default thanks to this knee injury. Now to ramp up carefully…
Hopefully you will come back even stronger than before!
I am not ready to put away my winter/ cold clothes yet, but soon.
I love the idea of cleaning up the closet now… before I start wearing those clothes again !
I think we will still need our winter running clothes for a few more weeks, unfortunately!
I have my race next month, but I am starting to look ahead to a possible fall race. It depends if I can register for Princess weekend. I’d need an earlier fall race if I do get in, so I have enough time to recover and get back to training. That would mean training in the summer.
It’s a good time to start planning all of that out!
I probably don’t go through my running clothes as much as I should. I literally have a huge storage tub I just dump everything in.
I have a huge tub where I keep my running tights and heavier tops. I try to keep my shorts, sports bras, t-shirts and tanks separate. I could definitely get rid of so many running clothes since I feel like I wear the same ones all the time!
I think I need to clean out my running drawer and remove some of the tops I’ve had for a few years! Sometimes I think they are fine but I just know they are worn out.
I keep way too many tops “just in case” I’ll wear them at some point but I never do. I would have so much more space if I only kept the things that I actually wear.
A goal is always motivating. I also like to organize my running clothes and decide what you keep or give away. Also, new shoes to replace the old ones excite me.
It’s nice to feel organized and ready to go at the start of spring!
I also do spring cleaning for my closets for my regular clothes and gym clothes. Anything I haven’t worn in 2 years I usually donate and anything that still has tags I try to sell on eBay.
Thats a great idea to sell stuff on eBay! I did some closet cleaning this weekend and it felt really good.
Great ideas! I always track the mileage on my shoes so I know when I need to replace them. And I did get to run somewhere new (or mostly new) yesterday! It is a great break.
I’ve finally been better about tracking my shoe mileage. It’s so helpful to do that!
These are great ideas, Lisa! And I love that photo with the bridge in the forest!
Taking a break is a good idea.
I have just taken three full days off from running. I’ve just done a very long run (46k) a week after a marathon and my body needs some rest. Now I feel ready to take on the miles again.
That was a great plan to take some time off after your 46k! Glad you’re feeling better!
I don’t really change much since I run and race all winter. But I’m running more with groups. I plan to go to the gym before work 3x a week. Also get back into walking and hiking.
It’s definitely a good time to year to get outside for more walks and hikes!
March and April are my big racing months this year. I tend to pull back over the summer when it is super warm. It is always a good time for new shoes!
It definitely makes more sense to race in the spring than the summer. Many years I’ve had my goal race in the fall so I take it easy in the spring and then pick up my training in the summer (which is always a challenge!)
My running/fitness gear needs a major purge. There’s probably several pairs of tights that need one final sort & wash before I store them away for a few (several?) months. I also need to start looking for new distance shoes soon…
I can’t wait to put away my tights but just when I think its warming up another cold front comes through!
DE was a new place to run for me. 🙂 We don’t have a whole lot of choice of where to run in Winter generally — because of snow & ice. Even when we don’t get much! So it’s definitely nice to explore some new terrain.
Of course, I think it’s always nice!
During the winter I often find myself running loops around my block when the roads are bad (or Im stuck on the treadmill). Its so nice to run in other places as it warms up!
Great minds think alike! I love your ideas for taking a break and setting some new goals. That will certainly help clear the mindset and get us ready for the next thing!
Yes! I need to do that after my half in a few weeks.