Find Your Running Motivation
It’s 7 a.m. on Saturday, and you have a long run scheduled in just a few minutes. While you know you should get up and run, you just might not be feeling up to it. What’s a runner to do? Consider using these tips to help stay motivated for that next training session or road race.
Create An Epic Playlist
For many runners, a playlist that strikes all the right notes just might make or break a run. To stay motivated, consider refreshing your playlist with new songs that inspire you, or at least push you out the door for your next long run. For a dose of inspiration, take a look at this list of running songs compiled by Runner’s World. With everything from songs by Eminem to Lady Gaga and perennial favorite “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor, this list can help you feel pumped as you rack up mileage on a run. Consider adding songs by performers with ties to Chicago, too, including Kanye West, Fall Out Boy, Liz Phair, Smashing Pumpkins, and Chicago. If you’d like a few tips on how to create a playlist that matches your workout, read these tips on Men’s Fitness.
Remember Why You Run
So, why are you lacing up your running shoes and scheduling a 10-mile run this weekend, anyway? Whether you want to complete a marathon because it's on your bucket list or you just want to get into better shape, remembering the purpose of your run is a great way to get out of bed, as noted in this list of motivational tips for runners by CNN. If you need a few reminders, consider posting a note on your bathroom mirror or as a label on your smartphone’s alarm clock.
Find A Running Buddy
Running is a solitary sport, but that doesn’t mean you have to run alone. Join a running club to meet other runners in your area or even ask a friend or neighbor to join you in a run so you can stick to your plan. As noted on the website Active, it’s quite a bit harder to skip a workout if you have a friend who’s waiting outside for you. To find a running partner who runs at your pace, join a running club in your neighborhood or suburb.
Shake Up Your Routine
Runs that cover the same route day-in and day-out are nothing short of monotonous. If your running routine feels stagnant, then it may be harder to feel motivated about a training session or a long run if it’s all more of the same. To get away from boredom, shake up your routine. You can start by running tried-and-true favorite running routes in Chicago, including the Lakefront Trail along Lake Michigan. To explore a neighborhood or suburb with a new running route, check out routes recommended by other runners via the website Mapmyrun. A local running club may also provide a list of routes in the area that match your training mileage.
Be Proud Of What You’ve Accomplished
While it’s important to look ahead to that marathon or 5K on your calendar, it’s also important to see how far you’ve come in your training, too. As noted on the website Shape, runners can keep a log of their training sessions for proof of what they’ve accomplished. Did you completely crush it in a speed workout session last week or even pass more than a few runners in your last race? Then record those accomplishments. Seeing what’s under your belt can be a good motivator to get out of bed and tackle that long run on your schedule.
Megan Horst-Hatch is a runner, reader, baker, gardener, knitter, and other words that end in "-er." She is also the president of Megan Writes, LLC. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.