The big deal with running motivation is it’s not enough just to be keen. You need to make the time to run.
Even the most enthusiastic new runner must plan their running. Leaving it to chance, hoping you can squeeze in a run at the end of the day, just leads to missing sessions.
Something always comes up. You’re finishing off a piece of work and forget the time. It’s your turn to cook or you get snarled up in traffic. Miss several sessions and you can be back at square one struggling to restart your running.
These running motivation tips will help you out. Work out how to fit running into your daily life and you’ll start building a regular habit.
Get Motivated By Making The Time To Run
Make A Plan
Start off your week with a plan. Get your diary out on a Sunday night and check your running schedule. Work out how you can fit your running around your daily activities.
Prioritize Your Running
Your running is important. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you can scrub a session when something else comes up. Stand firm. Emergencies aside, put your running first.
Run Early
If you have a family or a demanding job, running early in the day can make a big difference. Children and work can derail even the most committed runner.
Fitting in your run while everyone else is still in bed can be a good solution.
Look For Opportunities
Taking your children to the park? Instead of sitting on a bench while they play, run loops around the playground.
Running errands around town? Go on foot instead of taking the car. Taking an inventive approach to fitting in your running can make all the difference.
Get A Dog
When you’re tired, late home from work, or distracted by other events, a dog still needs exercise. That imploring look telling you it’s time to go out NOW is impossible to ignore.
Go For Quality
If you’re time-poor, a quality run is often better than a longer run at a slow pace. Most people can fit in a 20-minute run.
Warm-up for the first 5 minutes, up the pace for 10 minutes, then cool-down for 5 minutes. More experienced runners can aim for a tempo pace, but as a beginner just try and run a little faster than normal.
Another option is to try fartlek. Warm-up, then alternate short bursts of faster running with slower recovery sections.
Set Short-Term Goals
Many new runners start off with some BIG goals. Having a one year plan to run a marathon is pretty daunting.
It’s easy after a tough run to think your goal is so hard and difficult that you’re wasting your time.
Instead, break your plans down into short 3-week goals. Initially, it could be running 3 times a week for 3 weeks. When you hit this goal make another one. Your series of small goals will make a big goal become more realistic.
Just Show Up And Run
For complete beginners, it’s enough to just get moving. Speed sessions or long runs are for later when you’ve built up some leg strength.
Novice runners just need short, frequent runs. Just 20 minutes a day, building a running habit will be the best way to start getting results.
Run With A Buddy
It’s a lot easier to find running motivation if you have someone to run with. It’s hard to make excuses when someone’s standing on your doorstep waiting to run with you.
Find a partner with a similar fitness level and running goals. You can encourage each other to keep your running plans on track.
Running Motivation Tips To Help You Make It Out The Door
Lay Your Kit Out
It’s much easier to get up and run if you lay your kit out the night before. There’s no need for excuses if your kit’s ready and waiting. Heading out for a run becomes automatic.
Build A Routine
Some people can run on empty first thing in the morning. Personally, I need a cup of tea and a few crackers before a short morning run.
If it’s a longer run, I get up an hour before my run to eat some porridge.
Experiment and find the routine that works best for you. Some people can run on empty and fat-burn their way around a run. I find I need to eat some carbs to make sure I don’t run out of puff halfway round.
Dress In Your Running Kit
Of course, this depends on your lifestyle, but if you’re working from home and plan to run later on, wearing your running kit around the house helps!
If you put your running kit on when you get up in the morning, you’re going to feel pretty bad if you change out of it later without actually running. It’s a good reminder to fit your run into your day.
Visualize Your Run
Remember the last run you had and visualize how good you felt running. The satisfaction of getting out and exercising. How it made you feel better for the rest of the day.
Run Somewhere Inspiring
Find a running route you really look forward to. Somewhere you’re going to want to go even when you’re feeling tired or not in the mood to run.
Tell yourself you’ll head off for your run and just see how it goes. Your favorite wood or canal path will inspire you to keep on running.
Race Day Running Motivation
Enter Frequent races
If you’re aiming for a big race, such as a marathon, use shorter races to keep your motivation going. Racing at least once a month gives you short-term running targets.
It also helps to improve your running. Competing against other runners makes you stronger and faster. For beginners, look for local fun runs to take part in where you’ll be running alongside other newbie runners.
Get A Fan Club
Take your family along to watch. Having some friendly faces cheering you on can make a big difference.
Go With Some Friends
Races are a lot more fun with a group of running friends. Joining a running club is the best way to find other people to race with.
Keeping Up Your Running Motivation
Be A Bit Selfish
Your running is important to you so make it a priority. Sometimes this may seem a little bit selfish.
Just remember, if you’re not running your physical and emotional health will suffer. Fitting in runs may seem selfish, but it’s your route to hitting your goals and being healthy.
It Helps To Be Realistic
Dreaming big is fine but make sure there are some realistic smaller steps to get you from where you are now to the person you want to be.
Realism also applies when life takes over. Illness, injury, busy times at work, or family dramas don’t mean you have to give up on running. Just do what you can, revise your schedules, and get through the difficult periods on reduced mileage.
Flexibility Helps
If something comes up always try to re-work your schedule. It’s better to delay your run than miss it completely.
Legendary runner Ron Hill managed a 52-year running streak, breaking it only at the age of 78. He always found a way to run – although some of his ideas, such as running a mile when injured, aren’t such a good idea!
Thoughts From Love Life Be Fit
Running has so many benefits from improving your health to boosting your mood and adding adventure to your life. Above all running should be enjoyed and if you enjoy your running you’re more likely to find the motivation to run regularly.
Look for ways to add variety to your runs, try running in nature, and run with friends.
