February is probably the toughest month for Midwesterners to stay with their running programs. When the bitter cold wind hits your face you ask yourself why you're doing this.  There are some ways to help you stay focused and prepared for the spring racing season ahead.

Winter Races: There are a handful of well-organized events to choose from. Just go to a site like runmichigan.com or ontarioroadrunners.com. Races not only help motivate you in the short term but they are great opportunities to meet old acquaintances or find new ones.

Winter Wonderland: Running after a fresh snowfall can be a spectacular way to get outside and see your area from a different viewpoint. Running past lakes and rivers can be meditative and mesmerizing. You begin to forget about the wind chill factor.

Running Against the Wind: Hypothermia is a greater likelihood than frostbite on the sub zero days. Running into the wind first is one way to help prevent this.

Proper Clothing: A key to staying warm is layering. Turtlenecks, t-shirts, underwear, polypro, wool mittens (not gloves) and petroleum gels on your exposed areas will help you until your body gets warmed up.

Running Partners:  Never underestimate the power of a good conversation. Miles seem to melt away when you get engrossed in the latest gossip or newsworthy story.

Indoor Running: Several Universities have 200-meter tracks that are open to the public. A few high schools and many fitness centers have shorter tracks that are a better option that running on slippery surfaces. The tracks at the fitness centers can be used as a warm up before hopping onto one of their treadmills.

Treadmills: They offer a lot of flexibility. You can run on them any time of the day. Then tend to make you run faster, sweat more and force you to focus on a more consistent pace. They can also simulate hill work.  Sometimes it takes a little while to get over the feeling of thinking you�re a rat in a cage. Just get on it a few times a week and you will start to like the ability to run in your shorts and a t-shirt during February.

Training Schedules: Now is the time to scout out all the various training programs and make a plan. While sitting in front of the TV make a tentative schedule and plan to make the commitment to putting in a solid base of miles.

Log Books: If you haven't been using a logbook now is the time to start one. It's a daily progress report, diary and personal incentive sheet to tell you if you're slipping up. You can easily create your own on a excel spreadsheet.  Have some fun by color-coding the days you do speed work, double workouts or days off.

Spring Races: Sign up now for a spring race. Once you've put your money down its like placing a bet, you'll keep thinking about when the event will arrive.

Upcoming event: February 10, 2002, Winterfest 4 Mile Run, Riverview, Total Runner, 10am CONTACT: Total Runner at 734 282-1101 or www.downriverrunners.com