Tuesday, May 28, 2013

How to Get and Stay Motivated to Run



How to get and stay motivated to run:
    1.     Know your reason for running:  Everyone has a reason as to why they run.  Whether it be to run to lose weight, in honor/remembrance of someone, raise awareness/funds for an organization, stress relief, or just because you can.  Other reasons to run...  




The reason I run...
It's my way of carrying my cross daily.


Whatever your reason, know it and own it!  You’re much more likely to start and keep running if you have a reason to run.

   2.     Set Goals:  If you’re just starting out start with a small goal.  You want something achievable in a reasonable time frame so that you don’t burn out quickly.  If you’ve never run before maybe set your goal at a mile or 5k.  It’s ok to have long-term goals but make sure you have some short-term goals too.  My first year of running:  my short-term goal was to run regularly for 90 days and long term was to complete a half marathon.  After completing 5 half marathons my new long-term goal for this year is to survive a full marathon.

Staying Motivated:

  3.     Sign up for a race:  Sign up for a race shortly after you start running.  It’ll give you something to work towards.  I know when I don’t have a race on the horizon I start to lose motivation for running.  Races give me something fun to train for :)

  4.     Track your runs: I probably wouldn’t still be running today if I didn’t track my runs.  I like to see my daily, weekly, monthly and yearly stats.  Tracking my runs helps me see my progress and set goals.  There are several free apps and social networks out there to help you do this.  Here are a few that I use:


  •   Daily Milewww.dailymile.com  I sync my nikeplus to this but you can also manually enter in runs.  It is excellent for keeping up with weekly, monthly, and yearly mileage.  You can also easily track the mileage on your shoes and keep track of your race dates with this app.  I personally like to look at the lifetime stats to see the total miles I’ve run and the number of donuts burned haha  I share these results on twitter and my blog


  •   Nikeplus—I use this app on my phone to track my runs 8 mile or less while running.  I love the maps and how it keeps track of my PRs.  It motivates me to move faster.  For my longer runs I still use Nikeplus but manually enter my runs using http://funplus.oliverzheng.com/.  This helps me preserve the battery life on my phone.  The only thing that stinks about manually entering runs is that it doesn’t track calories or convert my run to Nikefuel. This app is nice for tracking mileage on multiple pairs of shoes.  I share my Nikeplus runs on facebook. 


  • EveryMove-- https://everymove.org/ This site converts all of your physical activities into points.  These points can be used for prizes (discounts, raise money for organizations).  Who doesn’t like prizes?


  •  Walgreens Balance Rewardshttps://www.walgreens.com/steps/stepslanding.jsp If you frequently shop at this drug store and are familiar with their rewards card, you can now earn points for running.  You get 20 points for every mile you log.  5000 points equals a $5 reward :) You can also earn additional points for logging your weight.  All you need to get started is a Walgreens Balance Rewards card.


These are just the apps/sites I use.  There are a lot more out there.  So find the one the works for you and track your mileage :)

I post the majority of my stuff to facebook and twitter.  I'm not worried about annoying people on your newsfeed.  Here is how I think about it. hahaha


And last but not least...
5. Change it up:  Change up your running course.  Running the same route everyday can get tiresome and boring.  I prefer to run loops instead of out and backs so that I’m not running by the same things twice during the same run.  I have 2 5K loops, 2 10K loops, and an eleven mile loop that I interchange for my runs depending on the distance I want to go.  I have a 16 mile loop in mind for when I start training for my full marathon (and it conveniently has a cupcake shop at the half way point. Score!)


Ok and now for the fun part of this post...

The 2nd Annual Disney Ticket Giveaway!!! 
Just comment below on what motivates you to run and follow me on twitter.  Extra entries are given to those who tweet about this post. **** (This contest is open to everyone so if you haven’t started running yet no worries—I hope this post will provide some inspiration to you. In the meantime, simply show some love with a comment and/or follow on twitter)

This Giveaway is in perfect time for all of those runners out there looking for a ticket to Disneyland for the Dumbo Dare Challenge or any other runDisney event this year or spring of 2014. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Details:  The ticket expires 6/08/14 so it must be used before then!  Please only enter the contest if you’re certain you’ll be able to use the ticket by that date.  Also, please do NOT sale it for any reason.  If you can’t use the ticket, give it back to me :)  Mickey Mouse gives tickets to me for free so I’m not selling them and I don’t want you to either.  

There will be (2) winners.  Each will receive 1 Disney ticket that can be used at any of the following parks… Walt Disney World, Disneyland, CA, Hong Kong Disney, and Disneyland Paris.

Contest goes until June 4, 2013.  Winner will be announced on National Running Day June 5, 2013 so be sure to come back and check my blog then.  The winner will have 48 hrs to claim the ticket before it is forfeited.

33 comments:

Unknown said...

My health is my main motivation! I think it's so important to be as healthy as you can be- and running is working my heart, body, and my mind.

vola sulle sue ali said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jennifer Lawrence said...

I run because I am so grateful
I can, I run for those that cannot.

Jen said...

My motivation is getting back in shape. I used to be fit and then fell out of my routine...I want to get close to back to how I was, and it's not gonna happen by sitting around. :)

Abby's Road said...

I'm motivated by race-cations. They give me a chance to hang out with my friends especially since we don't all live in the same city!

Jacquelyn said...

I run for ice cream! :)

Tania said...

I run to keep me sane and to get rid of baby weight! :)

krissy said...

I run to be connected to something bigger than me :D

Danielle J said...

My motivation started as a release during a stressful time in my life but has now bloomed into me working to inspire and continue to inspire my whole family as we run 2 half marathons together this year!

Persephone said...

I run to connect with myself and to organize my thoughts. I think so much clearer after a good run!

CCYL said...

I run because of that great feeling of accomplishment when I'm done....AND that look in my daughters' eyes when they see me as fast, strong, and beautiful no matter what my scale says. @ccylevin

Gabby @ Marathons and Macarons said...

Being outside in the fresh air! And challenging myself to get faster.

Sarah said...

I started running as an attempt to exercise. I continue running because I want to be a legacy runner at Tink. Also, allows my mind to wonder.

Bobbie McKinney said...

To feel good (I actually walk way more than I run) and be outside.

Emily said...

I run to get back in shape!

Brittany Chimento said...

I ran to keep my diabetes under control (along with healthy eating) :)

Unknown said...

I love to eat. Running isn't everything to a healthy life, but it sure does knowing you just ran 10 miles when you're feeling a few slices of pizza.
Running is also my favorite form of stress relief. No matter how crappy or good a day I am having, running allows me the chance to sort through everything and refocus on what is really important.

Unknown said...

I run to be a better wife and mom! I also use it as a reaching opportunity to show God's love to others by encouraging & serving! Stacy@OnceUponARun.net

Unknown said...

I run because I like the bling. ;) I also like to set a good example for my kids because I didn't have an active mom when I was growing up and it took. Me a long time To change my opinion of working out.

Lori (Once Upon a Run) said...

The health benefits for me and it's a great way for my young standard poodle to get his energy out!

Anonymous said...

I run for fitness, maintaining a healthy lifestyle... and my sanity. And I stayed for the friends :)

Unknown said...

Irun to stay healthy and spend time with my boyfriend

The Running Brätt said...

I run for bling. I run for health. I run because when I run I am doing I never thought I could do!

Unknown said...

When I first started out running it was honestly to spend more time at Disney, and runDisney events, but I fell in love with it. Now I run to have time with God (we do a lot of talking on them long runs) and to prove to myself and others that all things are possible with Him!

Brittany Chimento said...

I run to prove to myself that I can indeed go past my expected limitations.

Unknown said...

i run to stay healthy and show my daughter its ok to try and not win!

Justine @ Run Crazy Girl Run said...

I run so I can feel awesome for the rest of the day. Running gives me such a rush.

Sarah Lou said...

I love the accomplishment of knowing I've reached new targets, every mike adds up

Anonymous said...

For the camaraderie, charity, and BLING!

Anonymous said...

BLING! And I run with friends...who like BLING! :-)

Unknown said...

I run with family and friends which is a wonderful bonding time for us

Anonymous said...

I run so I can be a healthy, positive role model for my son.

scarletflicka said...

I started running to raise funds for different charities, and kept running for my sanity and my health! I have a 4 hour commute (2 hours each way), and running before I get in the car is the only way I can keep from going insane in traffic :)

Post a Comment