Motivation for Runners

While many people have no trouble starting a running program, it is often much harder to maintain a jogging routine beyond its initial high. Much like New Year’s resolutions, running programs can quickly fall by the wayside if the resolve to maintain them diminishes. Fortunately, staying motivated is as much a mental game as a physical one, and a few psychological tricks can keep runners in the game indefinitely.

Set Goals

Though it is often thought that running is a purely physical endeavor, negative thoughts can greatly weaken a runner’s resolve and performance. However, according to a recent study from the University of Portsmouth in Great Britain, positive thinking can keep runners motivated, and setting goals is one such path.

Small goals while running can keep joggers interested, such as sprinting to the next stop sign or running just two minutes beyond the previous run’s time. Goals can also be more tangible, as Jeff Ray of The Running Advisor website explains. Ray advises keeping a written log of running goals, or even writing down a weekly running schedule. That way, runners will be more apt to stick to their planned timetable.

Be Creative

Runners sometimes lose motivation through boredom, viewing their runs as a chore instead of a choice. Maintaining creativity with daily workouts is a simple solution to this problem, and can be implemented in a variety of ways. Ray suggests enlisting a running buddy for mutual motivation and accountability, and also notes that chatting while jogging helps the time fly. Runners can also jog at night if they typically head out in the morning (and vice versa), add speed or hill components to their workout, and alter the distance or route of their regular routine. The same path can grow boring over time, and new scenery makes runs more exciting.

Shift Your Focus

In the middle of a hard run, joggers sometimes become preoccupied with their excessive sweat, the heat, their lungs gasping for air, or any other distraction that makes it easy to stop running. But thinking positively and focusing on the benefits of running can help them stay the course. Running coach Jeff Galloway suggests that runners remind themselves how accomplished they feel after runs, how running relieves stress, and how good it is for their bodies.

Rather than focusing on unpleasant sensations, runners can instead concentrate on how thankful they are that their bodies can move in this way. Though a workout can feel like an eternity in the moment, it helps to remember that it will be over quickly and only takes up a small percentage of the day.

Try Something New

Though psychological factors impact motivation the most, a few tangible ideas can also greatly enhance the drive to run. Ray suggests visiting a running store to pick up a running magazine, a new article of clothing, or a book that will serve as an external reminder to keep running. Signing up for a race can also be a great motivator. Working toward a tangible goal, with set increments of increased training, can function as a great incentive to keep running.

Being mindful of both mental and physical roadblocks can help runners move past apathy and stay motivated throughout their running careers. Outpacing negative thoughts and setting practical goals will keep joggers on the running trail, and keep both their performance and motivation at peak levels.

Staying motivated makes runs more pleasant.

Print Article

Email Article

View All Articles

How to subscribe to feeds