Sometimes the hardest part of a run is motivating yourself to actually get out there and do it.
When I was training for the Chicago Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon last year, I found it easier to stay motivated because I felt like I couldn’t miss a training run since I wanted to finish the race strong.
Though training for a race is great motivation, what about the times when you’re not running to train for anything? What about the times when you’re running simply for health and fitness?
One trick that always works for me? Going to bed knowing I’m going to wake up and go for a run right away. I set the alarm and go to sleep with thoughts of a morning run on my brain. Then, when I awake, I already have my mind made up and don’t play games with myself trying to postpone my run or talk myself out of it.
I know it sounds so simple, but I realized the importance of committing to a morning run the evening before my run over the weekend a month or so ago. On the weekends I typically am much more relaxed about my workouts. I’ll go to bed thinking I might run in the morning. For me, “might” turns into “won’t.” I now go to bed thinking I am going for a morning run… no doubt about it!
And it works for me. 
Sometimes the simple solutions are the best solutions.
Workout
As you may have guessed already, this morning I awoke ready to run!
I leashed up the all-too-excited pup and we headed out for a 5 mile run around downtown Orlando.
It was a good run, but not exactly an easy one. I felt a bit sluggish and dehydrated. I guess a weekend of traveling will do that to ya!
Breakfast
Breakfast this morning was an old favorite.
Bagelwich!
Toasted cinnamon raisin bagel thin + melted muenster cheese + egg white + raspberry jelly
I’ve heard from quite a few of you out there who have become jelly + cheese converts. Such a good combination! Hop on this train immediately if you haven’t yet! It’s a fun riiiide.
Question of the Morning
What is your favorite tactic to motivate yourself to workout?
P.S. The Fashion page was updated!
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
Planning is always key for me too, especially when running!
I also like to envision motivational images to get through when I am struggling & to push myself a little more. I often times will have in mind a fitness role model like Katrina & Karina from Tone It Up…they have such gorgeous bodies!
I also think about how much better I will feel afterwards, knowing that I pushed myself and didn’t give up… we are so much more capable than we think! Often we give up mentally before our physical strength gives way.
Yay for you for completing a 5 mi rockin’ run! Awesome!!
I motivate myself by telling me how much better I’ll feel after a good workout! It never fails 🙂
This is so true! I used to be in a total routine of working out in the mornings before work, but my new job allows me to workout in the evenings many nights as well. I find that if I go to bed knowing that I WILL be going to a spin class or doing my AM workout, I always do. If I tell myself, I can either workout in the AM or PM, then I always end up going after work.
Sometimes when I am really sore I automatically dread running the next day… so I will usually eat a cupcake or some Ben & Jerry’s icecream (cherry garcia is the best, incase you’ve never tried it!) so when I wake up the next morning debating if I want to go or not… I am like, “must work off cupcake. must work off cupcake. must work off cupcake.” ha!
Actually, reading your blog motivated me to start running. I had a run/walk routine to get you to run 30 min straight going years ago and got pretty far in it. Then my health took a downturn and I couldn’t run anymore. I decided to start again just 5 weeks ago!
Motivation is pretty easy for me. For one, I WANT to be able to run. I’m not in love with running itself yet, but I want to be able to so that motivates me. Also, I have the routine I’m on scheduled into my phone’s calendar so I can’t miss a day without having to rearrange the entire thing. That one thought alone gets me out of the bed at 5:30am on Tuesdays and Thursdays (Saturdays take little effort).
I wake up for the gym at 5am on M-W-F and I work out with my dad so that’s motivation because he’s waiting for me.
One thing I learned by accident: I decided to listen to a book on tape whilst running and quickly got hooked. I looked forward to running just so I could find out what happened. I also listen to the book when I walk, so I find myself finding more and more excuses to get out the door with my headphones. Works like a charm. I have the Hunger Games trilogy set up for the next books I listen to. So excited!
I LOVE this idea! Having the mindset to run is such a simple but powerful idea! Thank you, Julie!
See now I can totally psyche myself out by doing this! I put to much pressure on myself having to wake up early enough to squeeze it in! But if you have no insomnia problems like I do, I totally see the logic 🙂
I struggle w. that, too.
I LOVE any type of cardio so motivation sometimes is nearly a factor. It is hard for me to go for a run though when my legs are stiff and I just don’t feel in the “running mood.” Once I get going, it is all easy breezy for me and I feel so much better in the end.
My motivtion comes from the fact that I have NEVER regretted a workout or a run. I always remind myself of that and that usually gets me out the door!
Your blog came at just the right time for me! I have been running right around 5pm, but we recently entered a heatwave, and the only sane way to run would be at dawn…..
What a nice run!!! i love running outside!! i try to do it almost every other day! my biggest motivation is the feeling i get while running and after running.. its just amazing!
The day before, I go through all of the excuses I could see myself coming up with and then come up with solutions. Today, for example, I have a hair appointment after work and the husband has to work late so it’d be a PERFECT night to skip a workout, but then I told myself that it would actually work out even better because I can do my run when it’s a little later (and cooler) if I go later in the evening.
I tend to do the whole “you only have to work out for 10 minutes” to motivate myself to run or go to the gym. Usually, once those 10 minutes are over, I’ve got enough adrenaline to keep going! Although once in a while, I do have those days where 10 minutes is just torture and I end up taking more of a rest day–but all that matters then is that I got myself out there and tried!
I actually use my own anxiety as a way to get myself moving. Since my dog goes to my parents house during the day when Im at work, I just drive my car straight home. I have major anxiety about the parking situation out front of my house, so once I get a spot I refuse to drive anywhere. So once Ive driven home, the only way to pick up the dog is if I run to my parents house. I run down there, and then walk her back home. It works out perfectly.
I do the same thing. Run before I think about it. It just makes.sense.
I’m the same way on the weekends! But I take pilates reformer classes so to defeat any chance of skipping, I pre-book my classes. I’ll never miss a class b/c it’s basically throwing $35 down the drain! And my broke graduate student self would NEVER do that! That’s precious money that could be spent on something important like… So Delicious Coconut Milk Ice Cream 🙂
Great job on the run! When I don’t want to run, I always remind myself about how I will feel if I don’t do it! That always gets my butt out of bed!
If i am working out first thing in the morning I get ready and head out the door. Then there is always the great debate- run or gym. I give myself to the traffic light to decide based on my mood and energy. Left to the gym, right to the park. I have been none to do a u-turn every now in then if i really regret my decision.
Also- if i am working out later i wont let myself get cute and ready because then I won’t want to get sweaty later. If I plan to workout in the afternoon I will run errands in gym clothes, so it is on my mind already and easy.
You converted me! Had a jelly and cheese sandwich for lunch today…delish
I have a tough time…especially because I go to the gym when I get out of work at 7. It’s so tough! But if I’m tired that day (which is usually), I always remember the burst of energy I get when I’m finished!
Just yesterday I went to the store and got the ingredients for your bagelwich. I’ve always wondered about it but thought it would be gross honestly, but figure its worth a try since everyone seems to love… and turns out. I LOVE IT TOO!!! AMAZING! Thanks for a fun new way to have breakfast!!
When I need motivation, this is seriously the best motivational video ever!! I tend to play it on days when I’m supposed to workout after work and I’m starting to get tired in the afternoon…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obdd31Q9PqA&feature=player_embedded
I am always training for a race of some kind. Another thing that helps me get up and go is laying out all of my gear the night before so I can pop out of bed, get dressed, and get moving! 🙂
I’ve been running in the mornings too, and what you said about making the decision the night before is soo true! I am the queen of justifying ANYTHING, so when I’m all cozy and sleepy in bed I can think of a million reasons why I SHOULDN’T run!
I have a friend who SLEEPS in her workout clothes and puts her running shoes next to her bed so that there is no excuse for not running in the morning.
I am soooo not a morning person!
I do my workouts over my lunch hour. However, when things come up over noon I have a lot of trouble trying to reschedule and fit my workout in, especially when I have plans after work!
I’m no good with the self-motivation. So I ask my dog if we should run. She KNOWS what run means. As soon as she hears that word, I have no choice, we at least have to jog around the block. Then, once we get out, we keep going. She’s a border collie mix and they are known to keep going and going and I love her a little more for that every day!
Planning is clutch! I also try to reward myself with work out music – I won’t listen to certain songs unless I’m working out. It keeps with the motivation to hear my favorite jam and it doesn’t get old too fast. (
I will still flake out even if I tell myself I am working out in the morning. I either tell my husband (who will harrass me if I try to back out) or schedule a work out partner. If I have someone holding me accountable, I am more likely to go!
My best workout motivation this year has been the fact that the bus drops me off at the gym immediately after school. Otherwise, I have to ride the bus for another 30 minutes. I HATE WASTING COMMUTE time. So knowing I could have a 5k pounded out by that time gets me off the bus and in the gym! 🙂
Well that’s a pretty interesting subject to discuss! I’m actually addicted to running, and sometimes a bit ashamed because I feel like people will think I’m a sports freak! I run everyday and it’s not motivation I miss but sometimes time (especially in winter because of the short days). I love running and if I don’t, I feel like there’s something missing in my day^
I’ve been DYING to try the cheese/jelly combo, but for some reason…I still haven’t jumped on the bandwagon. Your pictures always look so appetizing, though!
I lack motivation most of the time so the only way to do it is to set a weekly schedule and stick with it. Otherwise I’d probably never get out the door. Plus I know that once I’ve get a groove going and all of a sudden stop for a while it’ll be WAY harder to get back in shape. So that serves as my other motivation. Plus reading other people blogs, like yours!, helps me to stay motivated as well!
In order to motiviate myself to run I always need a race scheduled in the near future to keep my training on plan.
I imagine how good it will feel to flop on the couch when I get home from work – I am always impressed by people who work out after work, its the last thing I feel like doing at 6pm! (Although I guess some of them would be impressed by AM workout-ers too… to each their own).
🙂
“Just go” don’t always work for me… if I am not motivated from the start, chances are that it won’t change thorough my workout. I sometimes even end up leaving the gym when I feel like that.
I want to keep exercice as a fun thing, so I won’t force myself to go if my body or mind don’t follow : there is always a “tomorrow will be a better day”!
However, here’s tips that helps me with motivation!
– Using a heartrate monitor to track my workouts intensity (feel like competing with yourself)
– At the gym, saying hello to people, smile, feel part of the gym regulars, if your happy and confortable, motivation will follow
– Concentrate on non-important things like : what I am going to wear at this party I have on the week end… I can go on this idea for an hour… 😉
– Playing tetris while doing cardio (works both mental and physical!) this when I am really bored
– Reading/looking at fitness magazines with pictures of exercices and images of womans in an amazing shape
– Believing how STRONG you are becoming or are already, and improving always!
Great post!
I often have to dig deep to find my motivation. At first it was proving to myself that I could do it. Now, its something for me…”me time”. Sometimes, its the only time during the day that I’m alone (I have two kiddos and a hubby). 🙂
i’ve totally jumped on the jelly & cheese baglewich bandwagon! SO GOOD!!!
now if i can only jump on the running bandwagon….
Can’t wait to start running again. I read somewhere that lacing up your sneakers is the hardest part…So I stick mine on the floor right under my alarm clock so they’re the 1st thing I see in the morning!
Have I mentioned how much I love your blog? <3
I am definitely a post-it note kind of girl, so putting a sticky note on my phone encouraging me to get out of bed and go running usually does the trick for me. That way, when my alarm goes off, no matter how unmotivated I’m feeling, I feel obligated to get out of bed. Once I’m up and changed, there’s no question about whether I’m out the door running or not.
I’m like many of the others here that say that I think about how good I’ll feel once I’ve worked out.
Also, I get this mental image of myself turning into a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day float if I *don’t* work-out! 🙂
I guess that’s kinda like poor self-esteem, huh??
Great motivation tip!! I do the same thing with early morning yoga and sometimes I even sleep in my yoga tank! Then when I get up I’m all ready (physically and mentally) to go 🙂
Sadly since I started running races I have found it difficult to run when I do not have a race to train for, I hate that feeling. Why can’t I just be happy and run to health and fitness like you say? Anyway like you my best motivator is to tell myself the night before that I am getting out of bed at a certain time to go for a run, in addition I make sure I have a set distance and course that I am going to run.
I love the bagel and cheese and jam train!! I am riding it , and loving it 🙂
My tactic is to plan. I had planned yesterday to run – work got in the way as I was called in – but it didn’t fail. I had set out in my mind to run yesterday, so before I could think about it, I headed out and ran a nice 5.4 miles!!!
Your’e so right about having to find the motivation for running when there is no “goal” in sight. For me, during the school year my motivation is the beginning of the teaching day. GET UP AND RUN BEFORE WORK! Now that it’s summer time…a little more difficult.
Thanks for this post, Julie! I’ve been really wanting to start running in the morning, especially considering the high temperatures and humidity that are now a part of daily life here in Lexington. This was just what I needed to get started! Just got back from a great run and it feels awesome to knock it out this morning and not have to dread doing it after work! Thanks again! 🙂
That’s so great to hear!! Woo for a fantastic run!
for the past two mornings, my husband and i have woken at 4am to get a a very fast 2 miles. i love this. however, i run daily anyway. i usually get in 2-3 miles during my lunch hour at work on our trails.
my motivation for running? i have to make sure i am up to speed for any race that comes up. i just don’t train for one big race as i train all year round for any race that i feel like i want to do. its really nice to know that i can run a half marathon at any given point. oh and running…..it’s so addictive!
This month I’ve decided to start running again and I’m excited to try your tactic of just deciding it the night before. Working out has become a part of my everyday routine and I’m inspired to see so many people on here that have dedicated themselves to being healthy and fit as well!