Finding My Motivation

I’m not going to lie. Some days it is harder to go run than other days. My sister and my husband always tell me that I have amazing will power and motivation, but the truth is I still have days where I just don’t feel like running or cross training.
Sometimes I have a dig a little deeper. Here is what I do:

I tell myself that one day it won’t be easy for me to lace up my running shoes and go for a simple run.

I tell people, like my husband or friend, that I am planning to run, so than I’m accountable that day. When they ask how my run was I would hate to say I didn’t go.

I download some new songs for my playlist which makes it a little more exciting.

I call a friend and see if they want to join me.

I sing “Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming swimming swimming.” (It is a Nemo reference. I usually use this song in race slumps too, like mile 23 of a marathon)

I put my daughter in the jogging stroller and take her to the park that is 2.5 miles away. I know than I at least have to go 5 miles there and back.

My daughter loves going to the kids club at the gym, so if I need help getting motivated and I mention the club she will beg to go. I don’t want to disappoint her, so than I HAVE to go to the gym.

If my cross training is in a slump I will try a new class and have found some I love. Hot Pilates, The Dailey Method, Kickboxing. Don’t be afraid to try new things to keep your energy and motivation up.

I remember how good it feels to PR at a race.

A reward at the end, like I will run for 6 miles and than end at the Starbucks half mile from my house and get a hazelnut latte to walk home with.

I think my most effective way though is when I keep thinking about how great I feel after a run. I never regret going for a run or working out after it’s done, so I remind myself that until my shoes are on and I’m out the door.

How do you find motivation on harder days?