Kickstart Your Running Again: Why September Is the Perfect Time to Reset

That September motivation is real, but it won't get you through winter on its own.

With back to school season in full swing, Coach Steph and Anya Culling are breaking down the psychology of the "fresh start effect" and sharing three coaching tips to reboot your running after summer, so it actually lasts through the darker months.

What You'll Learn:
🧠 Why September makes us all feel motivated (and how to use it)
🎯 How to set realistic running goals you'll actually keep
❄️ Winter running prep: kit, treadmill plans, and mindset
💪 How to lose the all-or-nothing mindset and adjust your plan instead of abandoning it
☀️ Carrying summer's running joy into fall

This episode covers everything from realistic goal-setting and Runna plan set-up to winter kit, treadmill training, and finding your "why": the perfect guide for anyone recommitting to running this fall.

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: fresh start energy is in the air
00:51 – Coaching quick fire: fact or fiction
01:29 – The science of the fresh start effect
02:14 – Tip 1: Honest reflection and setting realistic goals
05:44 – Setting up your Runna plan properly
07:09 – Why new September plans need to be sustainable
08:11 – Tip 2: Preparing for winter before it gets hard
08:55 – Motivation isn't enough - the mental side of consistency
11:17 – Planning around daylight, treadmills, and running with friends
12:08 – Reframing hard sessions as a secret weapon
12:45 – Prepping your winter kit13:15 - Meal prep and planning your week ahead
14:19 – Scheduling runs like meetings
15:34 – Progress isn't linear - one step back, two forward
16:12 – Why you need a training buffer
18:02 – Tip 3: Carrying summer's mindset forward
18:22 – Finding your "why" and exploring Runna Races
19:32 – Why downtime is good for long-term progress
20:35 – Wrap up: you don't need a perfect comeback

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Sources: Dai, H., Milkman, K.L., & Riis, J. (2014). The Fresh Start Effect. Management Science.