One of my biggest goals for 2015 is to not let the cold winter weather turn me into a hermit. As a Florida native now living in Michigan, it has taken me a couple of years to really embrace the “beauty” that surrounds us this time of year, as Michiganders like to say.
Thankfully, we had a mild winter season our first year living in the mitten. It got cold, but it felt doable, and I was still able to get outside and go for a run every once in a while.
Last year, however, the polar vortex took all of my hopes and dreams of running outside away from me. I think I went on a total of ten runs outside from Thanksgiving to my birthday, which is late April. I didn’t realize how much I missed it until I started running more consistently again in the springtime.
I gave myself a free pass from running last year. With record-breaking cold temperatures and record-breaking snowfalls, my motivation to get out there any longer than absolutely necessary was almost nonexistent. I pretty much stayed indoors unless I had to be somewhere.
Looking back on last year’s winter months makes me really sad. I’m just not the type of person who likes to be cooped up and indoors all day. I knew I needed to start working outside of the home, so I am very grateful to have found a career in the fitness industry that gets me out and keeps me social while doing what I love.
I truly hope I don’t eat my words by saying this winter is shaping up to be similar to the first one we experienced up here. There have been extremely cold days, but the snowfall has been under control, and there have been enough “warmer” days to balance it all out.
I realized I should have taken advantage of this about a month ago, and made a goal for myself to get outside more this year. Running outside is something that not only makes me happy, but also keeps me sane.
I love the scenery, I love the trails, I love the constant smile on Roadie’s face when he goes with me, and I love being able to get in some fresh air while I exercise.
To help me stay committed to my pledge of running throughout all four seasons this year, I stopped into a nearby Target® and picked up a few winter running essentials to keep me warm.
As part of this campaign, I was asked to share how Target® C9 gear will help me reach my goals in the New Year.
There were plenty of practical and adorable fitness outfits to choose from (have you ever browsed this line? I want it all!), but I wanted to stick to the basics and invest in a nice pair of fleece-lined reflective running tights.
I was instantly drawn to the neon yellow color so I could sport these bad boys on my early morning or nighttime runs in the dark. I have also been in dire need of a new layering compression top. I chose this white long-sleeve top as a base layer.
I love wearing compression tops on runs in the cold. They do a great job of keeping me warm and staying in place.
I paired both with a Target® C9 puffer vest I already had at home and have put all three pieces to great use so far!
C9 by Champion® Puffer Vest
Having a great pair of warm running tights reminded me how important it is to invest in a winter wardrobe. There is beauty in snowfall and wintertime, even if that means I have to run through it to stay active outside.
But, even in the dead of winter, I have never regretted going for a run.
Thank you for gearing me up and helping me tackle my winter running goals, Target®!
Questions of the Morning
• What’s the coldest temperature you have ever gone running in?
• If you live in a place that gets very cold or hot, do you run or participate in outdoor activities year-round?
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Target® through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about Target® C9, all opinions are my own.
![[in our elementary school era] 🚌😭
Skyler did great walking into KINDERGARTEN with a big smile on his face this morning. I, however, was a bit of a mess on our walk home. 🥹
It’s wild how fast these 5 years with him have gone … 7 since we moved to NYC and into our apartment, dreaming of the day our kids would someday go to the *awesome* school right down our block. 🏫
That day is today, and I still don’t believe it — feeling allll of the emotions and thanking God for placing us here and for being able to trust His timing through the journey. 🫶🏼 #hbshinnyc
SO proud of you, SK - you are going to rock your first year at your “big boy school” - WE LOVE YOU !! 🩵👑](https://lifeinleggings.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
I love that neon color!! Looks great on you. I’m super spoiled with the weather….from Seattle where it’s very mild, lived in Los Angeles, and now live in Dallas…so I haven’t had to run in anything less than 40 degrees! The summers in Dallas will be interesting, so I’m sure I’ll be running very early in the morning to beat the heat 🙂
Aw, thank you! I love being obnoxiously bright, lol. It is great to wear colors like these when you’re running in the dark!
Fun pieces from Target! I really don’t enjoy running in the cold so I admire you goal. 🙂 A lot of it is mental and just getting yourself out there.
Totally. Once I’m out there, I almost always think I could go longer than I planned!
I love winter activities like snow shoeing, ice skating, and snowboarding but what I don’t like doing in the winter is running outside! My lungs burn and my skin gets cold though the muscles are warm. I am a treadmill runner in the winter and I admire the folks who are brave enough for winter running!
I’ve actually never been snowboarding! I have been sledding, though, and that would be fun to do again. Yes, my face does actually hurt at times during runs, but that’s usually when I’m not wearing enough layers or forgot my neck warmer!
I live in New England so it gets pretty cold in the winter. I wish I got outside more often for my runs, but the truth is as soon as the snow hits the ground I become a treadmill girl until spring. I just hate the cold so much haha! Good for you for getting outside!
Oh I bet! I totally understand. I’m trying my best to ignore my usual tendencies of staying indoors this year. Can’t wait for spring! 😉
Definitely going to need to buy some of those fleece-lined leggings! They sound soooo comfy!
They ARE! I already want another pair! 😉
I’ve run in the rare 20 degree weather in Virginia Beach but it is so hard to get out of the house at that point! Good for you for sticking to it!
Yeah, I know. It’s definitely hard to push yourself out there. Once I’m out though, I love it!
Good for you for keeping up with an outdoor workout routine. This kind of weather sends me to the dreadmill!
I would probably go to the treadmill more often if I had access to one! Maybe it’s a good thing I don’t! 😉
I actually love running in the winter! Yea, the temps have always been okay on my runs, but it is so nice, brisk, and you forget about the cold when you start!
You really do, it’s funny how that happens! Unless, however, you don’t have the proper gloves or your toes get numb. Then it just seems like it never ends, lol.
The coldest run I’ve ever done was when it was 40 degrees outside, with a strong wind and pouring down rain. I don’t run much outside anymore haha unless it’s a race. I don’t know how you do it!
Yikes, I hate running in the rain! Some people love it though. If the weather is nice, I would literally run outside (even if it’s just around the block to get Roadie out) every day. I really can’t wait for the spring to get here!
I’ve always got to give the winter runners credit! I just can’t make myself do it. Unfortunately running inside is just so boring 🙁
Sarah
Midwest Darling
The only time I really get bored is on long training runs. That’s when I usually break out the new playlists and that really gets me motivated and out there!
I’m so impressed with all the stuff Target offers now for active wear. I haven’t bought any of it in years, but am loving those pants! And no, I don’t run in the cold. Not at all. 🙂
I know, I love it all every time I pass by that section in the store!
I love running in the winter! I’m a ridiculous sweater so cold weather is always so much more comfortable and enjoyable overall. This year has been so wonderful but this blizzard hitting NYC is not going to be pretty and it’s making me nervous I might actually have to join a gym to get my runs in. Womp.
I do love running in the Fall. That is definitely my favorite time of the year to run! Ahhh, stay safe in that storm girl!
PS: the domain of your blog is hilarious. <3
hahaha thanks!!!
Love the C9 gear! I need to get to Target! Running in the cold is so tough. I ran a 10-miler in 10 degrees a couple weeks ago, and my Gu and water bottle froze! I think it’s much better than running in summer heat though!:) Hope you had a good weekend!
AHH 10 degrees. That’s probably where I cut myself off. I’m not sure I could mentally prepare for more than 5 miles there. Good for you for staying tough!
Sooo… embarrassingly, the coldest temp I’ve gone for a run in is probably somewhere in the high 60’s, thanks to California and its magical weather. BUT! Posts like this help get me pumped up for my impending move to Toronto, which is going to call for an entirely new workout wardrobe – something that I’m actually pretty excited for.
Ahh, California does have magical weather. I can only hope and dream to live there someday. Oh my gosh you moving from Cali to Canada is pretty similar to my move from Florida to Michigan. Best of luck! The good news is you will actually have snow around the holidays and now have a solid excuse to double your wardrobe! 😉