How To Talk Yourself Into Running… When You Really Don’t Want To.


HELLO! How are you today?

I am super fabulous.

Yup.

I had an 13 mile long run over the weekend that went well.

Yes!

Although my mileage was VERY low last week- I can’t complain.

No, no I can’t.

Sooooooo… I must mention that I started writing this post last Friday and forgot about it.

Whoops.

Better late than never, right?

Right.

Anyway, I did not feel like running last Thursday night, or Saturday morning for that matter.

Nope.

My legs were a little sore after my lovely hill repeat workout on Wednesday.

And I was SUPER UNMOTIVATED.

I talked myself out of both runs- for a total of 3 days of no running.

Whoops.

I decided to (once again) learn from the situation and make a list of ways to motivate myself to run (even when I don’t want to), and share it with you of course.

You are welcome!

  1. Put your running clothes on. This is the first step in getting yourself out the door. For me, the essence of running starts to seep into my pores through the workout clothes and I will eventually get it together. If not, atleast you look like a runner instead of a lazy couch potato!

2. Look at your running schedule. How will missing this run affect your training? Will it significantly impact your weekly mileage? When is your next race? How many runs have you missed in the past? These are all perfect questions to ask yourself guilt trip yourself into sticking to your training plan.

3. What did you eat today? Did you have a hamburger for lunch? Or a bagel from the breakroom when you went to grab your morning coffee? Chances are the answer is yes and if that’s the case… You probably need to run it off.

4. Go sit outside. Sometimes all you really need to do is pull yourself away from the TV or your iPad and motivation will come to you. Our electronics serve as a great distraction, but can be de-motivating at times. Take a break, go get some air, and sit outside for a little bit. After long enough, I bet you will change your mind and decide to hit the streets!

5. Set a timer. I do this in the mornings before I head to the office and it will absolutely work here. Give yourself a certain amount of time to read, check out Facebook, or watch that baseball game, but once the timer goes off… It’s time to run!

6. Run your favorite route. Bribe yourself with an easy, beautiful trail… or try a new path you have been wanting to check out. Anything to coax yourself into hitting the pavement.

7. Download some new music. As I have said many, many times before… I can not run without music. It is the only way I can make it through 2 miles, let alone 13, or 26! Create a new playlist and rock out on your run. Trust me, it will be awesome!

And last but not least…

8. Think about how much better you will feel when you are done. As the saying goes, “You are only one workout away from a good mood”. It’s true!

Now go run!

What do you think of my motivational tools?
Do you have any additional tricks to share?

-RatherBeRunnin’

34 thoughts on “How To Talk Yourself Into Running… When You Really Don’t Want To.”

  1. Danielle says:
    Reply

    Just want to thank you for this post. I have a half marathon in a week and had to run 6 miles today. I DID NOT WANT to do it and was thinking about putting it off until tomorrow.

    I googled “I don’t want to go for a run” and your post came up. After reading it I went on iTunes, searched good running songs, and bought a few. Then I added them to my workout playlist and started listening to them as I put on my running gear.

    Now the six miles are logged! I never post responses to anything but this was so helpful I just had to.

    Thanks again,

    Danielle

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  8. Wenaissance says:
    Reply

    Having the training calendar on my fridge really helps because my kids check it every day to make sure I’m on track. It’s amazing how one missed day can quickly turn into three or four. Another thing I do that is fun is load up my iPod with my favorite songs but I only listen to it while I’m running so if I want to jam…I better lace up the sneakers.

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  10. irunnegativesplits says:
    Reply

    Stick a Post-it note somewhere you’ll always see it and have it tell you to ask yourself how you’ll feel on race day if you ran/trained enough. No regrets. Getting to the starting line knowing you’re unprepared is not a good feeling.

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  14. irunnegativesplits says:
    Reply

    Keep telling yourself how mad you’ll be once race day comes and you know you haven’ put in the work. That will get your butt moving, at least it does for me.

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  16. serious male says:
    Reply

    hey this post was just in time! I was about to put on my at-home trousers and we all know the likelihood of going for a run, once we’re wearing at home trousers. Luckily your post came along and I had a great 7k. Thank you.

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