It’s 3 weeks into January and you’re still struggling to get out the door to run every day! You feel like you fell off the wagon before you ever got on it! Yesterday I shared tips to help you quit struggling and get to running. In case you missed the video and my tips here it is.
I know first hand what it’s like to struggle with consistency. In fact I have been known to refer to myself as “consistently inconsistent!” When you are struggling to get out the door and get that run in, it can create a vicious cycle of negative self talk playing in your head which only adds to the problem. “I’m running out of time to get ready for that race, so why bother…blah…blah…blah!”
Here are 3 tips to help you get moving!
- Challenge yourself. Go easy for a mile or two and then pick up the pace for the final mile. Switching gears into a faster pace, will boost your confidence and show you that you can do more than you thought you could. Plus you will feel so good about yourself when you finish.
- Commit to running for 2 weeks. Look at your schedule and see which days you can realistically run. Even if it’s only two days a week, go with it. Can you get in 3 or 4? Great! Now make an appointment with yourself to run on those days at the time that best fits your schedule. Put it on your calendar and keep your commitment to yourself. I promise at the end of two weeks you will feel so much better about yourself and you will have made so much progress towards getting back in shape.
- Celebrate and praise yourself when you finish your run. Praise yourself even if its only 2 miles! Praise yourself even if it was 2 or 3 minutes per mile slower than you normally run. Don’t focus on the negative, but celebrate that you got out there and did it. Don’t fall into the trap of comparing yourself to your past performances.
Now it’s your turn. Do you have suggestions for getting consistent with your training after a lay off? If so, post them in the comments below. Do you know anyone who is struggling to get back into running again? Share this on social media and let’s help them out of their slump!
I love this post! I’ve been asking myself a lot of these same questions in running (and in life)… I also feel like I won’t be running marathons forever. I’d like to do a few more but for the long term I definitely see myself focusing more on shorter distances, too. Congrats on such a solid marathon and huge pr!!
Thanks Laura. For me the training can be so time consuming especially if you have an “off day” on a long run. There are just so many other things I’d rather be doing with my time plus I’m super competitive and with the marathon there are just so many factors that have to come together at the right time unlike the 5K where you can just jump in another one and redeem yourself the following weekend!
Beverly, we SO enjoyed having you with us at HUG in November. After 5 years in Greece, I’ve now returned to a different position at Harding University in Searcy. I look forward to having your son, Bo, in my class! Best always!
Mike