I’m a chronic runner. I enjoy going outdoors and run or walk in nature.
There are stressful mornings when I think I don’t have time to run. I make running my priority. The other things can wait. It’s easy when you’re retired.
But still, there are those mornings where I don’t feel well enough even to open the door. The weather may be brutally hot, humid, rainy, or snowy. I’d rather sit and mope, doing nothing.
What motivates me to get out the door and get started? What motivates you? Something has to keep us getting out to run.
The benefits of running and training; fitness, fame, fortune, feel good, look marvelous and social interactions. Using a few motivational tools can get you some of these benefits.
If you are not feeling capable of doing your scheduled run and would rather stay home;
Just start and see what happens. I’ve felt uneasy, in pain, or tired at the beginning of many workouts. The first mile of a long run or first track interval seems impossible. Changing into running clothes and tying on running shoes takes no energy. Take the first step and start. When you get near the end of your run, the pains of the first mile will have disappeared.
Negotiate with yourself to do a shorter run or mix more walking breaks. You may not get the full benefit of the desired workout. Once you get started, you might surprise yourself and feel better. At least you did something active.
Negotiate with yourself to do a faster run. You may be having time pressures and can’t commit the entire hour. A shorter and speedier run can fill the available time with the health benefit of the higher intensity.
Register for a race. I’ve had people ask for refunds of entry fees in the last couple of days before a race. They don’t see that the $30 not only paid for the race. It helped them stay healthy as a motivator to train.
Compete. While running your race, you might as well run hard to complete the event. Races allow you to compete against others and, for most of us, compete against ourselves. You may have others to help pace and motivate. We have our internal drives that help monitor our health, comparing a race performance with past races.
To run a race hard requires some training and conditioning, a motivator to get out and run.
I do know a few people where competition creates anxiety, and winning awards increases the stress. These people may need other motivators to train than to race.
While training for a race, register for a follow-up race. So, you don’t stop once you reach your first goal.
Run for a charitable purpose. As a short-term motivator, register for an event that is a fundraiser for a charity. Those you solicit for donations will want you to do your best and hear about the mileage you achieved. Thinking of the people, you are helping will help you get out the door and run.
Run with friends. When you schedule your workouts with friends, you have a time commitment that impacts others. Not only can they encourage you during the run, but you’ll also want to make sure you arrive at your agreed-upon place on time.
Run for endorphins. The first 30 minutes of a run are there to enjoy the second 30 minutes. Even after many years of running, I still get that rush after 30 minutes. Yeah, I feel crappy to start and enjoy the ending.
The more you run, the more you can eat and drink. The slogan “I run because I like to eat” has been said by many. The 400 calorie piece of cake is only 4 miles. Diet beer is only 100 calories or 1 mile per 12 ounces. Just make sure you run first and then reward yourself.
Running will take you places others can’t go. Well, not as fast. Your training will allow you to run and explore remote locales confidently. You may dream of running the fastest known time on a remote trail or run across mountain passes or large canyons. Dreams will motivate.
Don’t waste a good weather day. When it’s 50 degrees with no humidity, wind, or rain, the sun is shining, and birds are chirping, and you can smell the crisp fall day, it’s too good to do anything else. Skip work and run.
Share your running experiences on social media. I like to share my running experiences online. Not that I’m special or that anybody reads my posts. In a roundabout way, it’s my reflection of how I am feeling and doing. By writing, I run harder, eat better, get my training runs in and out the door every day.
Whatever gets you started, stick with it and reflect on what it takes to get you motivated to continue to exercise and run all year, every year into your golden years.