It’s happened to many of us this winter — crazy, snowy, icy cold can get you out of your running routine faster than you realize and before you know it, it’s hard to remember the last time you ran.

Here’s how to get your running mojo back:

1) Register for a race

Unless your pockets are lined with gold, dropping cash on a race fee in advance is a surefire motivator to stay honest about your training. Whether it be your second race or your 100th, having an ultimate goal gives each training run a purpose.

Choose a distance that will be enough of a challenge that you cannot just breeze through the course with barely any training.

2) Start small

Jumping into a two-hour run after a slump is rookie material. Allow yourself plenty of time to ease back into full form. Stick to base building over the first few weeks while you build mileage up. Tackle speed work and long runs only after you are comfortably back.

3) Be flexible

Allow yourself flex days. If you have the time and are feeling great, pencil in a run. However, don’t beat yourself up over an extra rest day or letting the snooze button win. Life happens.

4) Incentivize

Use positive reinforcement on yourself. Once you’ve finished a run, a training week, mileage breakthrough, etc., give yourself a reward.

It can be running-related (a new pair of running shorts), inexpensive (an hour of guilt-free napping), or extravagant (a lengthy massage). Put it in writing to yourself to ensure the reward doesn’t seem like a strange coincidence.

5) Pair up

Find yourself a running buddy, real or virtual, who will hold you accountable. It’s pretty impossible to bail on a training run if you have someone you’ve made a prior commitment to.

Carissa Liebowitz has run the Boston Marathon as well as dozens of marathons and half marathons. You can follow her running adventures on Strava, Instagram and her blog.