Do you love being active but find it hard to muster the motivation to go on a run? At Fit2Run, we understand the struggle. Finding the motivation to go on a run can be quite difficult and can feel just as mentally taxing as it would be physically. We want to equip you with all of the tools to fuel your run and motivate you to continue to be active, so we’ve curated some helpful tips on maintaining motivation and consistency in your early running days.
THE IMPORTANCE OF RUNNING CONSISTENTLY
Consistency in running is the first step to making it a habit. It’s not about speed or distance at first, it’s about getting out there regularly and fighting the urge to lounge on your couch. Consistency in the beginning stages of your running journey is crucial, as it sets the tone for your entire experience. If you hold yourself accountable in the beginning, you’ll start to place a healthy pressure on yourself to maintain your consistency. A consistent running schedule can lead to noticeable improvements in your stamina and health. Once you’ve cultivated a running routine, you’ll be able to build on your performance and fitness level and you’ll be running more miles at a faster pace in no time.
MOTIVATIONAL TIPS FOR RUNNERS
To fuel your motivation, our Fit Experts have created a list of key tips to help you keep on running and to feel empowered doing so:
IDENTIFY WHY YOU RUN
Identifying your reason for running is arguably the most important tool for building the motivation you need to continue. Whether it be to stay in shape, set new goals or challenges for yourself, to be more active, or something more obscure like competing with your sibling, finding your reason for running will act as a motivator to stay disciplined. Grounding yourself in your running purpose may even ignite a passion for running within you, and will give you something to look towards when you’re feeling idle in your running journey.
DEVELOP A FORWARD-THINKING APRROACH TO RUNNING
It is important to develop a forward-thinking mindset, literally and figuratively, to running. Utilizing visualization techniques, you may create a mental image of yourself crossing a finish line or completing a run and the sensations associated with that experience. Visualization enables you to envision a future version of yourself that has accomplished what you’re setting out to achieve. Creating that imagery for yourself and imagining the complete process of successfully finishing a run will serve as a motivator to push forward. You may also opt to keep your goals and running purpose at the forefront of your mind. Imagining that you have completed your goals will give you a taste of how rewarding it will feel to actually accomplish your goals and will propel you forward.
BUILD A SYSTEM OF SUPPORT
Having a support system and social outlet in relation to running will serve as a huge motivator to continue on. Joining a run club or spending time with fellow runners will empower you with a sense of support in a way that you wouldn’t be able to cultivate for yourself. There is a sense of camaraderie between runners, as they understand the pain and pleasure of running regularly. Running undeniably comes along with its ups and downs, from the pain and grit of working to finish a long run to the runner’s high. So, finding a community that understands this balance is crucial to finding running motivation. Having a running community can also hold you accountable to your training and build consistency in your routine.
DIVERSIFY YOUR TRAINING
Part of the reason we lose motivation to run is largely due to how monotonous running can feel. Running has a tendency to feel cyclical, the never-ending repetition of pumping your arms, your feet slapping the ground, and maintaining an even breathing pattern. That’s why it’s essential to switch up your routine from time-to-time. Although building a routine is important to becoming more consistent, it’s more important to feel fulfilled in your fitness routine. Incorporating strength training into your week or switching up your running path and exploring a new area can help your routine feel more exciting. Excitement is the key to motivation, so do what you can to add joy and fulfillment to your fitness routine.
SIGN UP FOR A RACE
Signing up for a race will give you a surge of motivation to begin your running journey and a reason to stick to it. Many races also donate proceeds to charitable causes, which could serve as a source of motivation for you since you’d be running for a cause. With a race date set, you have a deadline to work toward and have something concrete to think about during your runs. If you’re just starting out, selecting a race with an achievable distance for the amount of time available to you is ideal. Ask friends or fellow runners if they’d like to join you in this race and continue to build your network of support as a motivating factor. Don’t know where to start? Look into our upcoming Fit2Time races and sign up today as a motivator to continue running!
LISTEN TO MOTIVATIONAL PODCASTS
Another effective way to motivate yourself and stay consistent is to listen to podcasts. Whether you listen pre-run or during your run, finding a motivational podcast can help you tune into your run and hold yourself accountable. These podcasts may be running or non-running related, but listening to any motivational podcast will help you to prioritize your goals and impassion you in every aspect of your life. Some options include:
- We Can Do Hard Things (hosted by Glennon Doyle)
- Motiversity
- The Mindset Mentor (hosted by Rob Dial and Kast Media)
- TED Talks
KEEP ON GOING
Following these tips and finding inspiration can be a fantastic way to keep your running motivation high. We firmly believe that everyone is a runner and want you to feel motivated to start your journey however you see fit. Finding that initial motivation and your reason for running are the catalysts for conquering your running goals and feeling fulfilled in your journey. We want to instill that initial spark within you to get at and start running no matter what your skill level is.
Remember:
“The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.”
– John Bingham.
