24 Replies to “A Runner’s Motivation: Combat lulls in motivation because the key to running your best is consistency”
Oh my goodness, I couldn’t agree more with switching distances and tackling hills. Both have gotten me excited to be running at different points in my life. Right now I am coming back from an injury, so I am completely out of shape, but every run is kind of a victory so it is fun!
I could definitely use a shake up in my training. I run on the treadmill ALL THE TIME. I am looking forward to vacation in 3 weeks (warm climate) so I can switch it up and run outside along the ocean!!
I couldn’t tell you the last time that I ran “naked”!! Logging all my miles has become a game to me and part of the reason that I run. Creature of habit, I guess! 🙂
I like having structure in my variation (no surprises there, being me :P) so I have days I do speed work and long runs and hills…it keeps it varied without me needing to remember to change it up 🙂 I like reading your advice because it also gives me ideas for other things to switch!
So much love for this post, but mostly for the Pikachu reference!
I thought for awhile tat I was getting it wrong by opting for shorter distance for awhile, but it all fits together beautifully. This 10km goal for the next few months is a great motivator…and a great base to build on for marathon round 2.
Thank you Cait Runner Goddess. Your words of wisdom never cease to help.
that’s wat i wish i could yell from the rooftops to lots of runners who feel ‘guilty’ if they are training for anything other than a marathon. training to run faster for shorter races is still crazy hard work, just in a different way…and PLUS that speed will then really give ur marathon the best chance for a huge PR…for which we know u’ll hit. 🙂
I think my absolutely, most favourite thing to do when I’m low on motivation is to go find a new place to run. The change in route/atmosphere is a HUGE help! Running naked helps as well, because the numbers can make me go crazy sometimes!
I love that you said you don’t have to run races to be a runner!! Lately I’ve been questioning myself because I haven’t raced in ages – I just like to run for me. (although I’m thinking about training for a race when I get over my stress fracture)
I rarely run naked because I need to track mileage for training, but I’ve gotten better at not looking at my watch every three seconds. I can go for a 20 mile run and rarely look at it at all, and when I do, just a quick glance at the distance. Baby steps!:) And I am a race addict. I love doing them to keep me motivated!
This came just in time! I ran outside tonight and complained ot my husband that I really didn’t want to go and I had too much stuff (hat, watch, ipod, gloves) and felt just blah. But you’re right – lack of motivation is normal and when in doubt, I should just “run naked”! I begin marathon training soon, so I’m sure I’ll be referring back to this post later. Thanks!
YAY for marathon training! but yea, sometimes i just have to force myself out the door and into those first few steps…but then i’m always happy i did. 🙂
Great tips and funny how sometime we just don’t think of mixing it up. I love your point about consistency. Honestly in a year when I have really found my strides with running If I had to pick one thing that was different it was consistency! Short, long, easy or hard just keep running.
This post also confirmed that I need to go out and mix up my courses… I can’t remember the last time I ran along the coast and I love it. Thank you! :=)
ummm, u’ve pretty much epitomized consistency my dear! it’s funny to look back at our ‘past’ selves and now we’d never think to blow off a run as easily as we used to. call it this strange addiction of ours. 🙂
Oh my goodness, I couldn’t agree more with switching distances and tackling hills. Both have gotten me excited to be running at different points in my life. Right now I am coming back from an injury, so I am completely out of shape, but every run is kind of a victory so it is fun!
in that regard every run IS a victory!! here’s to getting right back…be patient though, u’ll be running like ur old self soon. 🙂
I could definitely use a shake up in my training. I run on the treadmill ALL THE TIME. I am looking forward to vacation in 3 weeks (warm climate) so I can switch it up and run outside along the ocean!!
I couldn’t tell you the last time that I ran “naked”!! Logging all my miles has become a game to me and part of the reason that I run. Creature of habit, I guess! 🙂
oh man, can u please come and take me to ur warm escape?!?! 😉
I like having structure in my variation (no surprises there, being me :P) so I have days I do speed work and long runs and hills…it keeps it varied without me needing to remember to change it up 🙂 I like reading your advice because it also gives me ideas for other things to switch!
thanks, i’m glad my posts can help u come up with some variety to spice up that running. 🙂
So much love for this post, but mostly for the Pikachu reference!
I thought for awhile tat I was getting it wrong by opting for shorter distance for awhile, but it all fits together beautifully. This 10km goal for the next few months is a great motivator…and a great base to build on for marathon round 2.
Thank you Cait Runner Goddess. Your words of wisdom never cease to help.
hahaha….glad that pikachu reference got u! 😉
that’s wat i wish i could yell from the rooftops to lots of runners who feel ‘guilty’ if they are training for anything other than a marathon. training to run faster for shorter races is still crazy hard work, just in a different way…and PLUS that speed will then really give ur marathon the best chance for a huge PR…for which we know u’ll hit. 🙂
I think my absolutely, most favourite thing to do when I’m low on motivation is to go find a new place to run. The change in route/atmosphere is a HUGE help! Running naked helps as well, because the numbers can make me go crazy sometimes!
all about exploring…it really is a blast! 🙂
I love that you said you don’t have to run races to be a runner!! Lately I’ve been questioning myself because I haven’t raced in ages – I just like to run for me. (although I’m thinking about training for a race when I get over my stress fracture)
races do not define runner status, trust me…it’s defined by, well, running. 😉
I rarely run naked because I need to track mileage for training, but I’ve gotten better at not looking at my watch every three seconds. I can go for a 20 mile run and rarely look at it at all, and when I do, just a quick glance at the distance. Baby steps!:) And I am a race addict. I love doing them to keep me motivated!
a race addict, trust me this is one of those good addictions. 🙂
Love this post. I like to switch up where I run and signing up for races motivates me for sure!!!
glad to hear…and the extra buzz from a race in sight is always so much fun! 🙂
This came just in time! I ran outside tonight and complained ot my husband that I really didn’t want to go and I had too much stuff (hat, watch, ipod, gloves) and felt just blah. But you’re right – lack of motivation is normal and when in doubt, I should just “run naked”! I begin marathon training soon, so I’m sure I’ll be referring back to this post later. Thanks!
YAY for marathon training! but yea, sometimes i just have to force myself out the door and into those first few steps…but then i’m always happy i did. 🙂
Great tips and funny how sometime we just don’t think of mixing it up. I love your point about consistency. Honestly in a year when I have really found my strides with running If I had to pick one thing that was different it was consistency! Short, long, easy or hard just keep running.
This post also confirmed that I need to go out and mix up my courses… I can’t remember the last time I ran along the coast and I love it. Thank you! :=)
ummm, u’ve pretty much epitomized consistency my dear! it’s funny to look back at our ‘past’ selves and now we’d never think to blow off a run as easily as we used to. call it this strange addiction of ours. 🙂
Great tips! My daughter and I are running a new trail this afternoon. Can’t wait!
awesome!! i hope you two had a wonderful run!
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