This week on the Runner’s Lounge Take It and Run Thursday, Lindsay from Chasing the Kenyans asked “What do you do to get yourself motivated to run when it feels like it’s the last thing you want to do?“
Lately, my motivation has been lacking. I have the motivation to get out there, but I haven’t had any motivation to run fast or run far. I’m going to have to find my mojo or just do the runs anyways if I really want to finish the Army 10 miler in under 1.5 hours. Since I haven’t run long much this summer, I have my work cut out for me this month.
Here’s how I get myself out the door :
- Put on my running clothes – I know, duh. But really, it makes a huge difference for me. If I have my running clothes on when Beer Geek walks in the door, he assumes I’m going out for a run. I can’t let him down, can I? Or if I have them on when I drop the kids off at school, then I might as well run before I shower.
- Have a goal – I’ve currently run 20 or more miles a week for 13 weeks in a row. I REALLY want to see how long I can keep that up, so I’m much more likely to get in that last run of the week and make it long enough to hit 20.
- Stay at home (ie, no outings) with the kids – by the time Beer Geek gets home, I’ll do anything for a break LOL.
- If all else fails, go visit my parents. My dad has enough running motivation for both of us and he makes me run hard. No being lazy when running with him.
Not sure that these are helpful to anyone but myself, but they seem to be enough for me to keep me running.
My first giveaway starts tomorrow (maybe tonight if I manage to take pics of the stuff) and ends on 09-09-09 (just call me a geek LOL At least I didn’t say at 9:09 pm). Hint: It’s beer related and customizable.
For me, it is to sign up for a race. Knowing I want to complete the race while alert and upright is enough for me to get ready to run (get dressed, put shoes on, etc.). Knowing that I will not have any other better opportunity to train for that race than now (because of son's football practice tonight, daughter's tutoring this afternoon, work all day, etc.), is usually what ultimately keeps me going out through the door.
My mojo's inching back, I hope/think. I've been going to bed in my running clothes when I have to get up for those early morning runs.
If all else fails, go visit my parents.I know what you mean. Visits to my parents always made me want to run away too! [Rimshot!]Beer giveaway!1! Wow! (<– Trying to pretend I didn't already read that post first.)Wow, toyRuB goes to bed in her running clothes? That's HAWT!1! joyHub is a lucky man! Wonder if she stuffs used kleenexes up her sleeve for that extra Honey-I'm-in-teh-mood signal, because that would be even HAWTER!1!
Having a number goal works for me, too. I get a little nuts about it sometimes but other times it really works!Congrats on 13 weeks of 20+!
I haven't seen my mojo for a while. And my *usual* tricks are not working:I've signed up for my alltime favourite 10k race – nadaI've bought new shoes – took me FOUR DAYS to finally run in them. FOUR DAYS!!I've reminded myself that I still want to look sassy in my Lululemon shorts – ziltchI will now try "putting on my running clothes" – sure, it's obvious, but I never thought of it until you said it (lol)and your "go visit my parents" is my "call my fast friend Liz" – I will need to make a point of doing that more.Thanks for your list!