I started a pandemic running habit, but

[Anonymous]

Just want to say that I feel the same way and have been putting it off for the first time since March. I'm going to go run now, this is helping motivate me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't need motivation. You need discipline. Plan when in the day you're going to run and then just do it. Make it a non-negotiable part of your day, like working. Do you have to be motivated to do your job?

This! It's all about discipline. I've been running for 25 years. Motivation doesn't even play into it. I lay my clothes out at night. I only run first thing in the morning. For me, if I run later, I will find an excuse not to do it. It also gives me time to listen to all kinds of things like podcasts, books on tape, etc. The only time I may talk myself out of running is if it's under 10 degrees.

At 52 I only run 2 to 3 days a week. I also cycle and use my Peloton. Before the pandemic I would also swim.

[Anonymous]

It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop

You don't stop running because you get old, you get old because you stop running

I love those who yearn for the impossible

Be where you are, otherwise you will miss your life

When we rise up to new challenges today, we make ourselves better than yesterday

You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great

Strive for progress not perfection

The successful warrior is the average person with laser-like focus

There are far far better things ahead than any we leave behind

Your only limit is you

May you see sunshine where others see shadows, and opportunities where others see obstacles

Don't let your past destroy your present that will define your future

Don't wait, the time will never be just right

It's better to look back on life and say I can't believe I did that than to look back and say I wish I did

Become the key to the door

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

[Anonymous]

I make great playlists to listen to. A lot of guilty pleasure songs (Bryan Adams and ABBA I’m looking at you.) Motivates me a lot.

[Anonymous]

Start with getting dressed for a run. Just get dressed. Tell yourself you don’t have to run just get your clothes on. That’s how I used to convince myself to do 5:30 am morning runs. I will say I never once didn’t run after getting dressed but the mental hurdle of making that first hurdle smaller helped me. I actually use this method frequently when something seems like too much to handle.

Agree with PP about also allowing yourself to just go for a short jog. Something is better than nothing.

Lastly, you don’t have to run everyday. I add in strength training and other workout videos throughout the week especially in winter because some days it’s too gross out to run and I just don’t like running in bad weather.

Good luck! Don’t get too down on yourself. Winters really are the hardest season for running.

[Anonymous]

Same. The first time I tried it on a really cold morning it’s like my limbs wouldn’t work. I am vexed

[Anonymous]

Early pandemic I started a running club with a couple friends and tracked it on the Nike app. They have a running team app - holds you accountable and is fun to set goals with other people. We’d set a weekly mileage goal- one friend would walk her miles and other would run or run/walk. It was fun!

[Anonymous]

If you run on a treadmill, pull some orange theory runs off of Reddit. The intervals make a 20/25 min run go really fast.