How to Remain a Motivated Runner

It’s an all-too-common story, and maybe someone you know has experienced it.

The motivation is there in the beginning. You buy a new pair of running shoes, hit the pavement, and enjoy a brisk run of a mile-or-two, a good beginning. You follow this up by going even farther the next day, and by the end of the week, you feel pretty good.

Then life hits. “Reality” sets in. You have to put off one run because of an appointment one day. You have to skip a day because you don’t feel well. Suddenly, before you know it, all of the initial excitement and motivation to become a runner has fizzled, and you’re back at where you started.

How do you keep the motivation?

Anyone who’s run over long periods of time will tell you that it’s not easy. But if it was easy, it wouldn’t be worth it, either.

First, give yourself a minimum standard to follow.

One that is extremely realistic, easy-to-achieve bottom-line that you vow to accomplish every week, no matter what. Usually your aim will be to exceed this standard, but having a “minimum” to hit will help you feel like you’re still going strong, even in the tough weeks. Tell yourself you’ll run at least ten minutes a day, three days a week – even if your real goal is a half-hour a day, five days a week. Then, stick to this minimum standard as if your life depended on it, and reward yourself for exceeding it.

Next, don’t think too hard when it comes time to run.

Just concentrate on getting your butt out the door and into a pair of running shoes. Many times, the “momentum” of simply getting your shoes on, and taking ten steps out the door will carry you through the rest of your run as the habit takes over. You’ll thank yourself later.

Finally, and this may be the most important one, don’t ever feel that you’ve let yourself down or that it’s “over.”

Don’t beat yourself up for not running, simply tell yourself this is one missed day in the journey that’s still going. Your belief will often come to fruition in your behaviors, so watch your thoughts carefully. Never interpret anything – even missing your minimum standard – as losing momentum.

Instead, tell yourself “I missed today, and had a bad week, but I’m still doing this. I’m still in the journey. In fact, I can take a quick run right now.” You’ll be amazed at the difference this attitude will make.

Photo Credits: dotbenjamin

Originally posted 2009-03-19 05:03:49.

This post involves:

aim, appointment, belief, bottom line, butt, fruition, habit, half hour, initial excitement, journey, long periods of time, momentum, Motivation, one don, pavement, reality sets, running shoes, vow

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Motivation, Running

Posted by Bike Swim Run on October 28, 2009 in Motivation, Running. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.