We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

What keeps you motivated during a run?

2»

Replies

  • coachmike24fit
    coachmike24fit Posts: 18 Member
    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
    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
    ... 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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    Mapmyfitness timing my run and listening to Metallica.
  • sarahpedrys
    sarahpedrys Posts: 16 Member
    I have Netflix on my tablet. I watch a new episode of a TV show that I like while I run for a half hour. It's nice if you have a machine that you could set a tablet on. I got my elliptical off of a garage sale site on fb for $100. There are great deals out there :smiley:
  • spankmonkeycfc
    spankmonkeycfc Posts: 40 Member
    TxGlenn251 wrote: »
    Mapmyfitness timing my run and listening to Metallica.

    Nothing else matters!!!
  • Runningforafew
    Runningforafew Posts: 28 Member
    Music -- pretty scenery and a solid will to keep on going. Ignore that voice in your head that says give up! (Unless you're risking injury by continuing on)
This discussion has been closed.