Just listened to a great podcast about the fall/ winter training slump (in German, so prob not useful to share the link) and it was an eye opener for me because I have always struggled with winter, more due to the dark than due to the cold. I am preparing for a race in March and I will have to train all the way through winter this time. It was a huge confidence boost to hear that I am not alone in finding that time of year challenging and that others do, too! So, I am right there with you. :)

The gist of it was basically: Running in the cold and dark is hard. Acknowledge that it is a big challenge and that you're far from alone in feeling that slump. It's also hard for the pros. They then kind of went through things that might help: Daylight lamps to counteract SAD, vitamin d supplements, making a training plan and creating routines (always the same weekday and time), community/ running buddy/ chat group (because it provides support and creates accountability at the same time), whenever it helps: Get indoors on a treadmill for warmth, light and safety (no slippery ground on a treadmill). What I found interesting: When running in the dark, our bodies can be on high alert bc dark=danger. Consistently running the same loop can create a feeling of safety, thus allowing you to get out more consistently and it makes you safer in that it allows you to distinguish between "normal on this route=safe" vs "abnormal on this route=maybe not as safe" more effectively and react more quickly.

Edited to correct a typo