How to stay motivated

[EHann]

Hello all, so tonight will be my 2nd run of week one. I am super motivated this morning to go out tonight and smash it however after being at work all day I'm worried my motivation will disappear. Has anyone got any tips on how they stay motivated through out the day ready for their run in the evening? 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Hidden]

A lot of people run in the morning because of this... Personally I enjoy running at night. I suppose it depends on the individual.

The best thing I can advise, is put your running gear on. No matter what, even if you feel like you really can't be bothered, just put your gear on. I always find that once I've got my gear on I end up walking out of the door, and once you're out of that door, you'll be so glad you're out there. Good luck.

[EHann in reply to Hidden]

Blimey, I am not a morning person at all, haha.

OK fab, thank you for your advice! 🏃‍♀️

[Bunnyrunner Graduate]

Just put yourself on automatic pilot and don’t think about it. Once you’re going you’ll be good.

[DiscoRunner Graduate]

Try focusing on the changes to your body and the progress you are making as the durations increase. How did you feel after that first run, those first long eight minute runs?! For me, I was so unfit (that was one motivation, I *had* to do something), I was bright red & exhausted! So noting the changes to lung capacity, an increase in stamina and the sensation of growing stronger, as well as my constant amazement at making such progress with the running. This was all motivation to me. I was worried at the start that this would become one of my three weeks of effort and then to dissipate to nothing. But there was something going on with c25k - the constant progress, inch loss, noticing the results quite fast and the mental wellbeing benefits kept me at it. So try and focus on the changes and see if that helps. Good luck! I graduated in January and am so, so glad I have running in my life!!

[primaballerina]

Don't give yourself a choice. Just do it!

I've been doing one day on and one off since the start of the programme. Full stop. Without fail.

On busy days after working on our farm I came home knackered and had to do my (then) first run in the dark!!! - it was FAB! I was suprised! I've done some at sunset and again after dark since. Although normally I'm a 'before lunch' or 'before dinner' runner!

Later on, you may need to be a bit more flexible... to protect from injury or listen to your body. I'm on W7 now, and my knees and achilles are 'feeling' it, so it is highly possibly that I may need 2 rest days (for the first time since I started this programme).

.... Read my first post on this forum, for a laugh!

PB.

[Jogunlikely Graduate]

hiya

i cant run in the morning. I always do after work. My tip is walk in the front door, go change and back out the front door. Stop for nothing! ok maybe a bathroom break but that's it.

Keep you running gear in one place. If it doesn't already have a designated spot make one. I found if i had to hunt for stuff (my home is a little chaotic) then it could turn into an excuse not to go.

I get home from work about 6pm so try to eat a banana at 4pm. Remember to keep hydrated throughout the day, little and often is the key.

enjoy

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Just go. Don’t think about it, question it or worry about it, just go. If you’re tired once you get out, slow down a little. This is a challenge, not a race, and we’re all here cheering you on x

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

You cannot stay motivated indefinitely. What you need to develop is a personal habit and discipline. The habit and the discipline is what takes over after motivation has abandoned you People who read their training plan and then go out into the cold and rain to run x klms are disciplined - not motivated and their habit is their daily reading of their training plan

[steviej99 Graduate]

The great thing about C25k is that your progress is amazingly quick and it works. Just think, only 27 runs and you'll be doing 30 minutes! So it's self motivating. For me ticking off the runs, counting them down was great. And posting on here after EVERY run because there is so much support and positive advice. I started in September on my 62nd Birthday and now running 5k (slowly) three times a week. My daughter who was never s runner started 8 weeks ago and graduates next week, I'm so proud of her, we've started running together. Keep it up, once you're bitten you can't stop anyway!!

[bananahead Graduate]

Hi EHann,

Well done on starting the programme, I would agree about keeping your running gear in the same place, maybe by the front door, and aim to go as soon as you can. Remember why you started the Plan and if you have a goal in mind and I'm sure it will become a habit.

Good luck, happy running!

[Myzinnyboy Graduate]

Certainly agree about keeping the gear in a place you can find it all. I lay my stuff out the night before, make sure phone and earphones are charging and dog lead and poo bags in my jacket pocket .i even put the socks in my trainers. If I had to run around looking for it all at 6 30 am I would not go. Well done for getting started too

[RuthMargaret Graduate]

Make regular times when you run. If you can stick to a routine it really helps 😊