Running, what motivates you?!

I ran XC in high school as well as a ton of other sports growing up but I'm extremely disappointed in my lack of physical activity since then. I love burst training/exercises but let's be realistic here, NOTHING beats good ol' fashioned cardio! What motivates you to get going and run?
«13

Replies

  • stepmark
    stepmark Posts: 48 Member
    Definately reviewing the Success Stories daily! I dislike running but the success of others really help get me out there and run 4 - 5 days a week and watch my cal. in-take. :)
  • That's amazing!
  • stepmark
    stepmark Posts: 48 Member
    It takes me all morning to get me motivated and 'syc'd up to be able to go run over my lunch hour....I hated running so much in high school that I did shotput in track...Don't get me wrong, I was an athlete (football/basketball)...just not fond of the running... YET! I know someday I'll get there!
  • bbmkt11
    bbmkt11 Posts: 3 Member
    Train for a race. I hate running too, but I've decided to do a 4.1 mile run on Thanksgiving morning. Knowing you are going to do it in the race situation will get you motivated to train. Good luck:)
  • stepmark
    stepmark Posts: 48 Member
    Good for you bbmkt11!! This is my second week of being able to run 4miles over my lunch hour and to do it 4 -5 times a week. Way to go!
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    I fell in love with running this year after pushing myself and finally conquering something I never thought I could do. Thats my motivation bc every run is another challenge and every race gives me another goal to pass. Plus it's my "me" time and such a stress relief for everything.
  • LeenaRuns
    LeenaRuns Posts: 1,309 Member
    Definitely training for a race! I have a half in a week and a half that will probably kill me (it's been a rough past month running-wise) but I can't wait.
  • jsj024519
    jsj024519 Posts: 400 Member
    to lose weight and weight control. when i stop running, i gain. when i start running and restrict my calories, i lose.
  • msrootitooti
    msrootitooti Posts: 253 Member
    Getting out of the house by myself for a little bit where no one has any demands on me :)
  • lambertj
    lambertj Posts: 675 Member
    Runner's high, that is what keeps me motivated. I don't always get it but when i do it's the best feeling in the world.
  • mareeee1234
    mareeee1234 Posts: 674 Member
    These facebook pages for me... you should all "like" them if you have facebook. Imagine having wonderful inspiration and motivation coming up in your daily newsfeed..? And sometimes the timing is just too perfect :)

    https://www.facebook.com/getyourfitnessinspiration

    https://www.facebook.com/being.fit.is.a.way.of.life
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Pizza motivates me. Running 30-60 minutes is a small price to pay to be able to eat pretty much whatever I want.
  • Cr01502
    Cr01502 Posts: 3,614 Member
    The police chasing me.
  • samblanken
    samblanken Posts: 369 Member
    Training for a race and seeing if I can meet or beat my goals.

    Plus I love how I feel afterward - sweaty, tired, happy! :drinker: And by then I've burned off enough calories that I can have a glass of wine or two with my dinner!
  • ooOOooGravy
    ooOOooGravy Posts: 476 Member
    Mine is a Race to train for.

    Iv got nothing on the horizon at them moment and finging if difficult to get the drive to go! This post has promted me to find a race to train for and get into the groove!

    Thanks :)
  • SalubriousGyrl
    SalubriousGyrl Posts: 87 Member
    Great question. I know that running for me can become rather boring by myself and i have to motivate myself to get going. help me understand this one as well.
  • Yogi_Carl
    Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
    I only run for twenty-thirty minutes to heat up my body before taking a plunge in the sea, so it is a means to an end and the motivation is I don't feel the cold of entering the sea quite so much of I am overheating.
  • dperich1968
    dperich1968 Posts: 235 Member
    I hated running, but decided to try C25K, once I completed that program I was hooked. The day a experienced a true runners high, I was addicted. Now it is a competition with myself. I can't run at the moment, healthy issues, but as soon as I am released there is no stopping me.
  • BrettPGH
    BrettPGH Posts: 4,716 Member
    I have races to run and medals to earn.
  • JoyousRen
    JoyousRen Posts: 3,823 Member
    I have races to run and medals to earn.

    And Zombies. Don't forget the zombies.
  • LovelyLifter
    LovelyLifter Posts: 560 Member
    I have races to run and medals to earn.

    And Zombies. Don't forget the zombies.

    stole the words right from my mouth

    oh and human obstacles.....that step on you!
  • HypersonicFitNess
    HypersonicFitNess Posts: 1,219 Member
    Well I'm already addicted to running...but I like to "train" for something. The last two years it was the Warrior Dash. I was training for the Tough Mudder this year but was in a small fender bender and got whip lash....so I'm "re-starting" Still have some healing to do in my neck & back....so I am now training for a half marathon (since I still cannot do all the jumping involved in the Tough Mudder boot camp workouts). Having a goal to work towards is very motivating.....I believe I will run in the Reindeer Romp (haha) on December 8th as part of my training; I'm supposed to run a 5k at week 6 and that fits the schedule.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Stop watch - even though it's competing against myself I need a target to beat.
  • JoyousRen
    JoyousRen Posts: 3,823 Member
    I run for food. I love to eat and running is a great to let me eat more. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy running but if I could eat whatever I wanted and not gain weight sitting on the couch. I would do that.
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    Like a few others have said - I run for food.

    But, I also have to say that what gets me out there right now is remembering that this time last year, I couldn't climb a flight of stairs without getting out of breath. And now, I can run.
  • SherryR1971
    SherryR1971 Posts: 1,170 Member
    My playlist and the fact that I can take 30-40 minutes to be by myself with just my music playing...
  • Heaven71
    Heaven71 Posts: 706 Member
    I don't really know.... I just love it and it's hard for me to remember not loving it. I haven't even been running for a year yet but it's here to stay and I don;t ever want to not run again.
  • Alderaic
    Alderaic Posts: 294 Member
    getting rid of the stress, if I run long enough I can get all the things through my head and discard the meaningless stuff.
    Stops cravings for a while too as I cannot eat after I ran, I need a good hour and a half, so combined with one hour running, plus prep, you are looking at a good 2hours+ window where I am not eating or thinking about eating!
  • God, I LOVE to run!! It's the most challenging, humbling, rewarding, revitalizing, butt-kicking thing EVER!!! I run 6 days a week, early morning as possible to stoke me for the day. While many women my age are getting wider in the rear end and resigning themselves to growing "old", I am as slender as a girl and have amazing strength, energy and stamina. I don't run to eat more, I have my eating habits completely under control. What motivates me is the fitness factor, foremost, and sometimes, the looks I get from my friends who don't run. :bigsmile: They tell me it's going to kill my knees, my joints, blah blah, yada yada. Whatever. :yawn: :wink:
  • iluvprettyshoes
    iluvprettyshoes Posts: 605 Member
    The runner's high, the fresh air, the feeling of accomplishment!