What keeps you motivated during a run?

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  • ROBOTFOOD
    ROBOTFOOD Posts: 5,527 Member
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    I had a kickass playlist for today's 22 miler. I tend to daydream a lot too. During races, I just close my eyes and grind it out. Feels so good once it's over haha. But I'm ready to run the next day. I hate resting days.
  • kristinegift
    kristinegift Posts: 2,406 Member
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    I'll second (third?) the advice to run slower. Conversational pace. Talk outloud to yourself if you have to, but keep it nice and slow.

    As for staying mentally in the game, I load up a good playlist or podcast to take my mind off the distance. I also break up my run into segments (esp for long runs) in different neighborhoods so that it never feels like one long haul.
  • janineryan356
    janineryan356 Posts: 3 Member
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    Don't think about running you will get further without even noticing
  • PiperGirl08
    PiperGirl08 Posts: 134 Member
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    I enjoy it and it clears my mind. I also run with my dog, and he provides endless quantities of entertainment.
  • sympha01
    sympha01 Posts: 942 Member
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    I found that when I wanted to gradually extend the length of my long runs, I got slower -- and not just on the long runs! So yeah, I'd suggest slowing down a bit for a while.

    Here's another thought: I don't know how many times a week you run and whether you change up your paces and rotate in different training types, but I like to make sure I do at least 1 run a week where I alternate 3 minutes of FAST running (not necessarily sprinting, more "race pace") with one minute of walking or very slow running, aiming for an average speed over 4 miles that's about equal to my speed on a straight-ahead (no breaks) regular 4 mile easy run. Those runs tend to be a lot of fun, mentally they're a BREEZE, and they have helped me develop some speed and strength that translates into faster speeds on my longer easy runs too.
  • pandabear_
    pandabear_ Posts: 487 Member
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    sympha01 wrote: »
    I found that when I wanted to gradually extend the length of my long runs, I got slower -- and not just on the long runs! So yeah, I'd suggest slowing down a bit for a while.

    Here's another thought: I don't know how many times a week you run and whether you change up your paces and rotate in different training types, but I like to make sure I do at least 1 run a week where I alternate 3 minutes of FAST running (not necessarily sprinting, more "race pace") with one minute of walking or very slow running, aiming for an average speed over 4 miles that's about equal to my speed on a straight-ahead (no breaks) regular 4 mile easy run. Those runs tend to be a lot of fun, mentally they're a BREEZE, and they have helped me develop some speed and strength that translates into faster speeds on my longer easy runs too.

    Ah no, I haven't tried this. I finished C25k a long time ago and just a couple of weeks ago got back into running after doing Insanity for 2 months. My endurance level was really improved by Insanity, and so it meant that I was able to start at 30 minutes running again. So at the moment, I have just been doing 30 minute runs every other day. So sometimes 4 or 3 times a week.
  • pandabear_
    pandabear_ Posts: 487 Member
    edited April 2016
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    I took everyone's advice and went a lot slower. I finished the full 30 minutes, I did 3.74 miles. I felt really good during the run, could speak out loud and wasn't dying to stop.
  • Libertysfate
    Libertysfate Posts: 452 Member
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    When I first started out 3-5 miles felt like forever for me. I found that music kept my mind occupied and I kinda started to zone out after a while. There are also apps like that Zombie run one where it keeps your mind engaged. Since then my motivation for runs longer than 9 miles is really just food. I burn so much (not including my workout outside of running) that on long run days I think about what I wanna eat. I'd say 95 percent of the time it's a variety of donuts... the other 5 percent is just shoving my face into a pizza or big juicy burger.
  • spankmonkeycfc
    spankmonkeycfc Posts: 40 Member
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    Pace yourself, small goals, small targets, good music!!!
  • willammoney
    willammoney Posts: 137 Member
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    For me it's about holding myself accountable to complete the task
  • coachmike24fit
    coachmike24fit Posts: 18 Member
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    running to eat a bunch of bs after?? is that not counter productive? what motivates me during a run is not to run at all.
  • kellyship17
    kellyship17 Posts: 112 Member
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    I used to get bored during short runs, and so I listened to music. After making myself run for a couple of hours at a time without music, I don't get bored. I look around at the scenery, enjoy the peace that comes with running a far distance, and visualize the entire pint of ice cream I will eat after running 12+ miles.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
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    coachmike24fit wrote: »
    ... what motivates me during a run is not to run at all.


    More miles for the rest of us.

    I still like my IPA as a recovery drink ;)
  • Soy_K
    Soy_K Posts: 246 Member
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    This may sound weird, but when I get tired while running I try to zone out on purpose. Sometimes I make up repetitive sounds or words to say to the rhythm of my feet.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
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    Being done- But mostly I just don't pay any attention- once I'm past the first mile- I'm with Soy_K- zone out- and get'er done.
  • Aed0416
    Aed0416 Posts: 101 Member
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    I really have to squeeze in my runs. I usually don't have the luxury of choosing to walk the rest of my run. I know I am however far away from home and have a limited time to get back and shower and continue on with my day. So I don't have the option of stopping I think you should take that option away from yourself by altering your schedule or running with a buddy you don't want to slow down or rewarding yourself after a successful run.
  • litsy3
    litsy3 Posts: 783 Member
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    pandabear_ wrote: »
    I took everyone's advice and went a lot slower. I finished the full 30 minutes, I did 3.74 miles. I felt really good during the run, could speak out loud and wasn't dying to stop.

    That's great! If you keep running that pace for a while you'll have no problem building up to longer runs. :)
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
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    Breakfast! ;) That and I run outside, so I have to keep going until I get back home! Music definitely helps, and changing up the playlist from time to time to keep it fresh. I change up my route, even running the same route in the opposite direction can be enough to make it feel different, and the time goes by faster.
  • blues4miles
    blues4miles Posts: 1,481 Member
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    pandabear_ wrote: »
    I took everyone's advice and went a lot slower. I finished the full 30 minutes, I did 3.74 miles. I felt really good during the run, could speak out loud and wasn't dying to stop.

    Awesome!

    Only 10% of your weekly mileage should be run at a challenging pace. The rest should be "easy". It seems counterintuitive, but you will actually get faster this way over time, and it's a safe way to allow you to increase distance.
  • Mile_High_Runner
    Mile_High_Runner Posts: 56 Member
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    Mapmyfitness timing my run and listening to Metallica.

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