Running on the beach at sunrise in Cuba.
When I owned a fitness studio clients would ask me how to get motivated to run. I wrote this article in 2011 to help them find ways to get out there and do it. I think the ideas are still relevant.
“That day, for no particular reason, treat I decided to go for a little run.” (Forrest Gump)
Are you a runner? Maybe you’ve thought about running but are afraid to commit, try been told you’ll ruin your knees, don’t think you have what it takes. Guess what? You can run. It doesn’t have to be fancy, fast or perfect but it can be fun and, yes, liberating. So how does a wannabe runner get the motivaiton to go out for that pre-dawn run? Here are a few tips to help get motivated to run:
- Mark your running days on a calendar just like your other appointments
- Pre-plan your run the night before by setting out your running gear so you don’t have to think about anything in the morning except getting out the door.
- Nourish your body with a light pre-run snack like a piece of fruit for an energy boost.
- Think of running time as your time when no one can call you or interrupt your thoughts.
- Make a date to run with a friend so you can’t cancel.
- Run with your dog. Our furry friends make great jogging companions and are always motivated to run at any time of day.
- Negotiate with yourself if you’re feeling extra tired in the morning.
- Tell yourself you’re just going to run for 10 minutes and if you still don’t feel like it you’ll go home. Chances are you’ll feel great and want to continue.
- Run for time not distance or speed. Go for ½ an hour rather than a certain number of miles. It doesn’t matter how far or fast you run you’ve still had a solid cardio workout.
- Break the run into smaller intervals – run a minute, walk a minute then gradually increase the running time.
- Take different routes to keep it interesting.
- Keep a journal of your runs, routes, photos of your favourite running places.
- Tell others how you are motivated to run. Saying it out loud will help keep you on track.
- Own the morning – it’s your city, beach, sunrise.
- Think of yourself as a runner.
- Run because you can.
- Live Happy!