It’s Friday and the topic of today’s Friday Five link up with Cynthia, Courtney, and Mar is “Running Tips”. Since I’ve been struggling with not wanting to run lately, I decided to share a few things that help get me out the door when I’d rather be parked on the couch with a trash novel and a beer.
1. Dress in running clothes as soon as you get up (or as soon as you get home from work). I swear, getting dressed is half the battle. I’ve mentioned before that if I put on a running bra, I’ve just increased my chance of running by a huge percentage.
2. Make yourself run a mile. It doesn’t have to be fast and only has to be a mile, but 90% of the time, if I run that mile, I’m going to keep running.
3. Meet up with a running group or running friend. A few years ago, I had a neighbor who liked to run with me right after kid drop off. I missed fewer runs in that training cycle than I ever did before or since. Letting someone else’s motivation make you run is a great way to train.
4. Leave your watch at home. Sometimes I hate running because I know I need to hit a certain pace or distance. If the choice comes down to not running or not knowing my pace, I choose a “by feel” run every.single.time.
5. Promise yourself a reward. When all else fails, I tell myself I can have a special treat after the run. I might then spend the entire run thinking about what that treat might be: Starbucks coffee, a milk shake, nachos, whatever. Funny thing is, when I finish running, I don’t usually eat that treat. Apparently just thinking about the yummy choices is enough to get me to run.
I seem to be fine once I get out there, but lately *getting* out there has been quite a challenge. How do you convince yourself to run when you just don’t feel the run love?
Completely agree with the first 2 ! both of those work wonders for me….
Karen @ Fit in France recently posted…Friday five : Running tips
Funny that just putting on the clothes helps to get you in the mood…
Yes, yes, yes to #1. When people used to ask me how I had the energy to get up and run at 4:45 a.m. before work I’d tell the “I don’t, but I fake it and force myself to at least put workout clothes on and 100% of the time I’ll run after!” I’d also tell myself if I really wasn’t feeling it that I’d at least walk a few miles. Either way I was still exercising!
yep, fake it till you make it. ;o)
I don’t! I do get off the couch, but it running becomes a chore, I do something else (ride my bike). That said, I’m not training for a running goal right now. Your tips are very good ones for those that have that big fall race sneaking up. Cross training can be a viable option though.
Kelli recently posted…Thinking out Loud…my boys go back tomorrow
I agree – sometimes when I’m really not feeling it, I’ll jump on my stationary bike for a ride. But when I’m not feeling it because I’m burned out from training, I usually try to get myself out there.
i think #2 is a GREAT tip. usually, if i have some wiggle room in my training plan and i just really don’t want to run that day, i’ll trade it for cross-training. but if i really need to get the miles in, i just force myself out there. it usually only takes a mile or two for me to get in to it.
brittney @ corral b recently posted…friday five: tips for new runners
Yep, cross training is a great option, as long as you are getting enough runs in for whatever training plan you are following.
I need to practice #4! But do you know how hard it is to do that for someone like me? It would be as if my run didn’t happen. I need stats.
HoHo Runs recently posted…Take The Initiative
You just need to do it. Sometimes it’s just good to run for fun.
I agree with you on the getting dressed one! That’s me. I need to get into my gear to get me motivated!
Amy @ Running on Faith and Coffee recently posted…Five Ways to be Race Ready | Five on Friday
Seriously – some days it’s just so hard to change clothes…
I don’t think I could ever run without my Garmin. Especially if I don’t feel like it. I have missed runs just bc my Garmin isn’t charged. If I would run without it I think I run further than what I actually do. I just need that proof of how far I’ve run I guess. Maybe I should switch things up sometime.
I have a few routes where I know the mileage, so if I know I want to do a certain number of miles, I’ll choose that. Otherwise, I’ll wear my garmin and ignore it for most of the run.
I tell myself do at least 20 minutes, then my competitive nature will want to stretch it to 30.
Lesley recently posted…Advice for Runners
Yep, sometimes I set small mileage goals and then just keep trying to “run one more…”
Great tips! Sometimes when I dread my run, I think about just getting through that first mile. Im usually fine once I’m out the door!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…5 Tips For Your First Mud Run
Yep, who knew doors would be such a problem? LOL
Rewards are good! I run for chocolate and new skirt sports 🙂
Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…5 Things You Should Never Do Before A Race
Me too. Especially the skirts. I’m busy collecting all the gym girls now LOL.
I definitely do the getting dressed in my workout clothes in the morning thing. And sometimes, I get myself out there by just telling my self to at least get out there and go for a walk. Usually, once I’l out there after a couple minutes of walking I start running anyway.
Chaitali recently posted…Friday 5 – Running Tips for new runners
Seriously, sometimes it’s just the act of getting out the door that’s the hardest. If I can manage that, I can usually manage a decent workout.
Great tips.. rewards always help get me going too.. Chocolate or ice cream usually does the trick 🙂
Liz recently posted…Friday Five
Will run for ice cream… or cookies or chocolate or beer…
Numbers 1 and 5 are seriously what get me off my butt. I wear a sports bra to work on the days that I know I am going to want to be a bum. When I am running I like to think about ice cold water and anything chocolate (right now my go to is chocolate muffins). Except I usually actually eat them after the run!
Mmmm, chocolate muffins. I could totally go for that as a reward.
I too like to bribe myself with rewards. 🙂
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Friday Five – 5 Tips for Running While Pregnant
I’m a big believer in bribery. Just ask my kids. ;o)
Great list. The reward is a good one. The mile is great because that first mile can really get you going.
John @ run. geek. run(disney) recently posted…Five Justifying Running Tips | #FridayFive
The mile is my secret weapon. If I can just get in a mile, I’m usually into the run by then.
I just go. I remind myself of how bad I’ll feel if I skip it. That’s usually enough to get me out the door.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Dog Days
I’m too good at ignoring the guilty feelings LOL.
Haha, rewards always get me out the door 🙂
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…A fun new way to wear jewelry with Rocksbox and a discount!
I know, right?
Great tips! What gets me going is my husband. Thankfully we are able to workout at the same time – in the morning – and when he gets out of bed I can’t hit the snooze button! I also remind myself how accomplished I’ll feel at the end, even if it’s not the best run – a run of any kind/length is better than no run at all!
Lisa @ early morning run recently posted…Time To Rebuild
My husband has always been an early riser, so I’ve gotten really good at sleeping through him getting up LOL.
Few things work better for me than, “Just one mile…” You’re right! Just by getting out there, you’re likely to get in the longer run you actually need 🙂
Victoria at Ice Packs + Races recently posted…Training Recap: Navy Air Force Half Marathon Week #7
Great tips. I’m not a runner but I could apply some of these to getting off the couch and exercising too.
Over from Saturday sharfest.
Kate recently posted…Oh I’ve gone and done it, I’m jumping on the planner bandwagon.
Absolutely!
Nice article! I liked the idea of leaving the watch at home while preparing for running. I’ve observed that whenever I keep track of time while running, it actually reduces my efficiency. But when I don’t carry any “Baggage” and just run to enjoy it, I feel energized & rejuvenated.