Whenever someone wants to start a new routine or make a new habit, he or she needs to find ways to motivate themselves to change. Starting to run is no different.
Here are five things you can do to get yourself out the door and off for a run.
More: Find Your Running Motivation
Find a Running Buddy
Knowing that you have to meet someone at a specific time and place to run will help motivate you to get out of bed or off the couch. Nobody wants to let someone else down. Besides motivation, a running buddy can make your training runs a social event and enjoyable instead of just something you have to do.
More: How to Find a Running Partner
Sign Up for a Race
Having a goal to work toward and an exact date will help you to stick to your training. Many people do better when they have something specific to work toward. So sign up today for a local 5K or perhaps even a 10K.
Stop Making Excuses
If you're dragging your feet and finding every excuse in the world not to go for your run, tell yourself that you're going for a walk instead. Get out the door and walk a block or so, then start a slow jog. Increase your speed to your normal pace a little further in and you're on your way. If you start to feel winded or in any pain, slow down your pace again. The point is to do the best you can on any given day, not to hurt yourself.
More: Excuse-Proof Your Exercise Plan
Sleep in Your Running Clothes
Assuming your clothes are clean, sleeping in your running clothes can provide just enough incentive to get you out of bed in the morning. It's harder to skip your run if you are already dressed. Taking this one extra step can definitely be the difference in getting up versus rolling over and going back to sleep.
Run for Charity
Find a race that you can run for a charity and that has personal meaning to you. Many of the larger half marathons and marathons have specific entries for people running for charity. There are even some shorter races that will allow you to run for charity. If you can't find a race that has charity entries then run a normal 5K or 10K, but ask people to donate on your behalf for a charity. Once someone donates their hard earned money to help you reach your fundraising goal, you will have all the reason in the world to make sure you complete your training.
More: Run for Charity, Not as a Running Bandit
Use these tips to help motivate you. If you keep running for at least six months, there's a good chance that running itself will become your motivation. Most runners report that regular exercise makes them feel much calmer, happier and positive than they are normally. They find that the feeling they get from running becomes all the motivation they need to get their run on.
Sign up for your next race.
