Good morning lovely runners…I hope you’re all well and enjoying the weather..whether it’s sunny or rainy, you’re managing to still get out there…??
Which leads me nicely into this question…part of me is asking this for my own reasons, I’m struggling with staying motivated at the moment & I’m running out of motivating ideas…so this is my question to you this week…
I usually rely on reading all your lovely posts to keep me going but my job keeps me away more than I’d like and I honestly think that’s why my mojo isn’t making an appearance at all!!
I’m fascinated to hear what you all do to keep yourselves getting out there and for others who’s mojo seems to have taken a summer holiday without them, we can share our motivating tips and help each other…after all, that’s what we’re here for right?? It can feel quite lonely when you lose your motivation…but..you are not alone…this happens to just about everyone at some point……
Looking forward to reading all your replies…my shoes are getting dusty so the more the merrier!!!
Have a lovely week everyone
MC
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Mummycav
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Good question! The first thing to say is that mojo will often get off the couch, trail along behind you and eventually catch up with you if you just GO. No-one talks much about motivation for cleaning teeth after all but most of us just get on and do it without thinking about it most of the time (exceptions for unusual kissing opportunities etc...)
However...
- a programme (which is why C25K is so good and part of why it is so good is that it explicitly requires you NOT to do the active part every day)
- putting on the right clothes first thing so you don't have to change. Or running in what you are in (The only bit of running gear I wore on hot hot Friday was the sports bra (and not one of those gymnastics to get into types) - sandals, canvas shorts, cotton t shirt... and I didn't even tie my hair up because I couldn't find a hair clip)
- a shiny medal. I heard about 'virtual' events and medals for years here without being interested for myself, but now find them useful if I find a nice medal. This year I signed up for a medal a month affair because they are *so* pretty. It seems a bit ridiculous, I go for 5K when I can run 10k+ but I've found it really helpful.
- Ordnance Survey explorer maps to pique the curiosity.
- Just not wanting to be someone who 'used to' run and allowed all the (perfectly good) reasons not to to get the better of her. And a weird sort of sense of community (not that the HU running forums are weird, just that I don't do communal running or participate in other social aspects of running, no Strava etc) - I saw a tweet of the beautiful procession for Joss Naylor fell runner extraordinaire who died recently and I liked the feeling of connection. He ran, I run.
Hi Mummycav, I wish I had some sage advise but I try not to overthink it and just go.
I'm only running twice a week mind you as I'm building up to a HM and seemed to feel constantly shattered running three times. So once in the week and a long run on a Saturday I head out.
I try not to think about if I feel like going, though often on the way up to get changed after work I'll be mumbling I really don't feel up for this but I get the kit on anyway. And once the kits on then I'll always go.
The only thing I can think that does help is I sometimes give myself an out on the way by saying to myself, if you're really not up to it you can walk or come home. And like most of us I find that once I've set off I do the planned run.
On the longer runs I find an out and back route helpful as once you're half way through and turning back you've got to get home somehow.
I also allow myself to walk if and when needed these days without beating myself up about it...whatever gets me through the run. And if I manage a run without walking or only a couple of times then I pat myself on the back, yay me! 👍
The only genuine excuses I allow myself is if it's icy or if I'm unwell...then I let myself off the hook and don't feel guilty for it.
Now, making sure to stretch out everytime after a run...that's another issue all together 😏
I'm better at stretching in the last few weeks, I'm coming to realise I have to do it in the 1st ten/fifteen minutes after getting home, whether I feel like it or not...if I think, "I'll do it later" then most of the time I forget 🤦🏻♀️
Oh yes, thank you for reminding me of what used to be my best motivation. I think it is still there implicitly. For some people it would be unhelpful but yes for many of us "You don't have to do this if you don't want to" is just the right motivation!
I confess I am struggling to run at the moment due to a busy work calendar and absolutely abysmal sleep. But at least I have the gym now and am getting exercise that way - walking & running on treadmill as part of a routine. Recently I have been running outside just once a week - knowing that (in general) I will feel better for having run is a motivator. Having something specific to listen to - book/music/podcast - helps too.
I’m a lapsed runner, first did couch to 5k 12 years ago. Couldn’t motivate to run for 6 months, following a pretty awful half marathon which killed my enthusiasm. My motivation this time is my grown up son has promised he’ll do a parkrun with me.
Not bad 😆 2012 does indeed seem a lifetime ago (as does my longest run which I think was around 2015) It's amazing to realise how many changes there have been in that time in some of the woods where I did C25K. No Google now, alas, just Me and life doesn't lend itself to getting another dog.
You are so busy I know, and taking time to squeeze a run in is so hard. There are just so many other things to do, or you just need a rest.
I have carved out time for two runs a week. One on a Tuesday evening, while Mr Bbr is at his physio class for his back. He drops me off at the park and I have an hour to run, walk, get a drink and stretch before he picks me up.
The other I do on either Saturday or Sunday, just from home, as short or long as time allows. My mojo is strong at the moment, grabbing this time just for me for exercise.
The support on Strava (our HU C25k group is amazing as you know) keeps me inspired and going too.
Remember, you are still a runner, just biding your time, your next run is waiting for you.
In all my 66 years the only 'hobby' I've done consistently has been running, since 2021, so I guess something must be keeping me motivated.
I think that allowing myself to have a few days off here and there really helps. If the weather is wrong, if there's some other opportunity getting in the way, if I'm ill, injured or just plain tired I know that I can skip some running but go right back to it afterwards. I don't feel guilty about not running, nobody is judging, nobody even knows unless I tell them, all they see is that I run 'regularly', if they notice at all.
If running is my hobby, I'm supposed to enjoy it, right? Some mornings all I need is a little self pep talk and I'll get out there and enjoy it but others I'd rather let myself off the hook and take it easy. I know that after a couple of days I'll be itching to get back out there so I'd rather wait for that feeling than make myself as miserable as the days when I was forced to play hockey in the winter 😂
Hi Mummycav so lovely to see the post. For Tasha, she has found it helpful to run early in the morning before work, rather than after, because she used to dread it. She also likes doing a streak because then she 'has' to go out and that's helped her run all of June and July so far. For me, well I really like it and always think that there'll be a time when one day I may not be able to so I don't want any regrets. I like the occasional race or event to build up to as well. Also, I see it as part of my day and not something extra so I'll just do it 🙂 I'm a strong mental health advocate so I realise how vital my running is to me personally.
I know everyone is different and hopefully you'll be able to get out there because you really do deserve time for you.
Thank you GTFC …I love Tashas idea of a run streak…I know the benefits of running, both mentally and physically, I’ve benefited both & I miss the’me’ time…I need to set aside some regular time..at the moment though, when I’m running I’m hurrying because I’ve got such little time, which also spoils it…I seem to have lost the fun somewhere along the line..and because I only snatch a run here and there, I’m not really seeing the physical benefit either so I’m then thinking, before I go ‘what’s the point? ‘ 😳x
I’m usually at my most motivated when I can’t run! Currently going slowly crazy while I’m on the sofa with Covid. It’ll pass!
We all get those dips in motivation and it’s hard to shake off. When I haven’t run for a while, I get totally in my own head about going. I come up with all sorts of excuses why I’m better off waiting until another day. If I can force myself to be totally honest about what’s going on, it’s usually that I don’t want to start a run and feel unfit and heavy-which I know is definitely going to happen when it’s been a bit of a break. The way I get out of it is to embrace the “this won’t necessarily be fun but I know I absolutely have to do it to get back to where I want to be”. I don’t wait to feel motivated. I just say I’m going and I try and go without over thinking it. I aim for short runs regularly. I went strictly every other day last time I was really struggling-non negotiable unless I was ill or niggly. After a week or two of regular runs, it usually starts to feel better.
For some people, positivity works but for me, it’s the brutal realism that the only way to get out of a slump is to grin and bear the “I hate feeling like this” feeling and trust that the “I flipping love this” will come back. I also remind myself that can’t really be bothered, not up for this running is better than none at all! Sometimes I go out to enjoy a podcast and the running comes a distant second to that in attention and importance.
Luckily, I think the more motivation gone awol phases you go through, the more you can remember “I’ve felt like this before and I know it will pass if I can just get going again”.
I find having an event in the calendar really helps on off days. I remind myself that when I’m standing on the start line in October, my legs will really be glad of the unenthusiastic miles I made myself do…and once I’d got myself out of the door and past the toxic ten, most likely I’ll enjoy myself anyway!
You’ll get there. It might be helpful to realise you are feeling motivated now-you clearly want to run but it’s just difficult translating that into getting out there. Once you’ve found your groove again it’ll feel extra special to be back there. Really good luck!
How about booking a half or full marathon or a 10k race something to build up for?. Are you in a running club or running with someone maybe look at that 🤔
Thanks Tessie66 ..I’m not in a running club, I’m just a lonely goat..I don’t really like the social side of that..I’ve tried parkrun & hated it..I prefer to be alone..I’ve tried training for 10ks etc but never get to the end because I get to a stage where it feels like too much hard work 🙁 ..I just need to get out there and get in with it!!
I love running alone because it's me time, the one activity I do where I can be entirely selfish. I don't have to show up on time, be sociable, try to fit in, follow a prescribed route and/or activities, seek to achieve etc.
I've only ever done two events, and the first of those was to help me feel less stupid at the second! For me, the problem with training wasn't the physical hard work or the time it took, it was that it sucked all the spontaneity and most of the joy out of my running. I also hated the pressure of having to perform at a specified time, day and place. Yes, the training paid off, and I loved (almost all of) the day itself, but the thought of months of miserable preparation has really put me off ever doing another organised marathon.
We all have different ideas of what's fun and enjoyable about running, and for me, motivation is as individual as the runner. So maybe another way to look at things is to ask yourself what the blocks are to your getting out running? Not just the practical and organisational ones, though obviously those may be very significant and have to be taken into account.
But maybe also your feelings about running. If the voices in your head are telling you it's not worth going out unless you run for a certain amount of time, or cover a predetermined distance, or at a particular pace, how do you feel about that? What sort of running do you enjoy? Can you create the conditions, including giving yourself permission, to do that?
Great question Mummycav! Well what keeps me motivated?…..I think the thought that if I couldn’t ever get out for a run what would I do? So I really dont go there as going for a run for me is one of my happy places to be and the thought that if I wanted to walk without feeling guilty I can x😂
Wow! That's such a great question. Can I have multiple answers?
Setting a goal has really helped keep me be inspired. First it was C25K and now I am working on NRC 10K.
Sign up for a race that will challenge you. I've got my first 10K scheduled for September.
Plan rewards. For graduation from C25K, I purchased my first Garmin.
Surprise yourself with little rewards. I was reading about a specific type of running sock and after I completed my three runs for the week, I ordered a pair.
Visiting this site. I've made it a part of my morning 'surfing' routine. I enjoy the commonality of spirit and issues - running and runny noses, toes poking holes in running shoes, and all of the great stories and accomplishments!!!
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