Working out has become such a habit and personal expectation that I feel like I missed something, or that I cheated myself if I don't do it. So on the mornings it's hard I just get it done, and then I have no regrets later.
Also, I almost always have events on the calendar so that I am always training for something. Ultimately the idea is it that I am training for myself and my future self, but that doesn't quite get me out of bed yet. ;)
I retired 7 years ago and this all feels like the “so what do you do to keep busy” question I still get. Regarding running I agree with Gary and Julie. I’m in the 70+ age group and have too many friends facing too many health issues. After spending time with any of them you can’t keep me off the trails. Other times my motivation flags, like Julie, I sign up for a race. I signed up for a 10K months ago that takes place next Sunday. I Haven’t been able to run for the past two weeks but have been walking. I ran 4 miles today and will continue to every other day til Sunday. And I’ll get it done. We all will one way or another.
Consistency is key, for sure. Ritual can both be a centering joy but also a burden or obligation. I have been doing pilates in the park, a free class offered by the city of Portland, and now that it is coming to an end with summer. I am worried pilates will leave my habits that make me feel good. Without the ritual and accountability, I feel on my own.
My motivation is easier when I have an event to train for. And when I do my long runs with my running group (t-shirts say, “Will run for watermelon”). If I’m not training for an event, my running flags to once or twice a week. And music always helps with motivation, especially when I get tired.
Yes, a visible marker makes it feel less futile and sisyphean. Add some tajin and lime to that watermelon, or sumac, salt, and lime! Delicious and electrolyte-y.
I don't want to make this about others' situations, but I see people every day that for one reason or another, cannot run. Whenever I feel like, I really don't want to do this, I say to myself, "I GET to run".
Low motivation days are when I break out the pre-workout drink mix. I don't believe all the marketing claims around all of it nor do I think it enhances workouts or anything like that. But they definitely are full of caffeine and sugar. Once I drink down one of those, then I HAVE to go workout the jitters somehow! Again, just for days when I planned to have a good workout but don't "feel like it".
It’s not just running that we need to psyche ourselves for, it’s everything. Motivators for me include: the promise of coffee, the applause of my readers, the idea that somewhere on a bus route I’ll find a story to write.
An early-morning Zoom writing group gets me out of bed in the morning; contemplating gratitude gets me ready for sleep at night.
If you don’t have a motivator, time to create one. You might try prayer. Not to a particular deity or saint, just a conversation with the Universe.
I remember watching an old episode of Jerry Seinfeld's "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee," with Julia Louis-Drefyus, and she said something I'll never forget: "You always need something to look forward to." It can be anything, really -- a goal, an event, a weekend seeing a friend or a loved one you haven't seen in a while, a new project, anything. But we all need something to look forward to. Also, I really like your idea about "just a conversation with the universe" -- I need to do that more.
Every race, whether it’s a 5K, 10K or a half, is for me, an opportunity to socialize. I care not for PRs or 1st, 2nd or 3rd, but as I have said before, I do my races (and my walks in between) to stay healthy. Once a race has started and I find myself tiring, I find another runner to pace with and distract me from my lack of energy. If runners aren’t around, I’ll focus on my music, finding another song that distracts me and gets me into a groove.
That is me............I realized the other day (I am in the middle of training for my 2nd Half this year)........questioning why I signed up when it was difficult the first time around..........then I realized it is the excitement of the early morning rush to get into the right corral.,......visiting while waiting for the start........meeting to people and then the total excitement of the finish.........it is the rush, the fun, the people.........train like no one is watching and enjoy the race..........your are only accountable to yourself........I am 76 , what do I have to prove?????
Good morning. I just realized recently that setting a goal keeps me motivated…..I did not have any races/events on my upcoming schedule and my mojo was just not there. I was wavering day to day on my dedication to keep running and fit. Then I set a goal for 2026 and voila! My mojo has returned. I read that is common among runners…..they need a race to train for.
I worked for AT&T for 52+ years and in that time, I attended a number of “charm school” sessions … what we called classes that promoted teamwork and motivation. One instructor drew an inverted triangle and placed “thesis” and “antithesis” at the top corners and “synthesis” at the bottom. “Thesis” was the existing situation … “I’m 15 lb overweight”, “I have to be the center of attention.”, “I’m argumentative.” “Antithesis” is your objective … “I’m at 165.”, “Everyone in the room is an equal.”, “I’m flexible.” By posting the antithesis statements on your refrigerator and/or your laptop monitor, you constantly remind yourself of where you want to be and you develop and execute the steps that will achieve that change. I believe this can be applied to our personal race performance!
I can see that -- having a goal keeps you "up" for pushing yourself, for going just a bit longer, to seeing what you're actually capable of. Really true.
Working out has become such a habit and personal expectation that I feel like I missed something, or that I cheated myself if I don't do it. So on the mornings it's hard I just get it done, and then I have no regrets later.
Also, I almost always have events on the calendar so that I am always training for something. Ultimately the idea is it that I am training for myself and my future self, but that doesn't quite get me out of bed yet. ;)
I retired 7 years ago and this all feels like the “so what do you do to keep busy” question I still get. Regarding running I agree with Gary and Julie. I’m in the 70+ age group and have too many friends facing too many health issues. After spending time with any of them you can’t keep me off the trails. Other times my motivation flags, like Julie, I sign up for a race. I signed up for a 10K months ago that takes place next Sunday. I Haven’t been able to run for the past two weeks but have been walking. I ran 4 miles today and will continue to every other day til Sunday. And I’ll get it done. We all will one way or another.
Consistency is key, for sure. Ritual can both be a centering joy but also a burden or obligation. I have been doing pilates in the park, a free class offered by the city of Portland, and now that it is coming to an end with summer. I am worried pilates will leave my habits that make me feel good. Without the ritual and accountability, I feel on my own.
My motivation is easier when I have an event to train for. And when I do my long runs with my running group (t-shirts say, “Will run for watermelon”). If I’m not training for an event, my running flags to once or twice a week. And music always helps with motivation, especially when I get tired.
Yes, a visible marker makes it feel less futile and sisyphean. Add some tajin and lime to that watermelon, or sumac, salt, and lime! Delicious and electrolyte-y.
Oh, cool! Sumac, salt and lime sounds amazing.
I don't want to make this about others' situations, but I see people every day that for one reason or another, cannot run. Whenever I feel like, I really don't want to do this, I say to myself, "I GET to run".
Low motivation days are when I break out the pre-workout drink mix. I don't believe all the marketing claims around all of it nor do I think it enhances workouts or anything like that. But they definitely are full of caffeine and sugar. Once I drink down one of those, then I HAVE to go workout the jitters somehow! Again, just for days when I planned to have a good workout but don't "feel like it".
You're building ritual into the experience. The placebo effect can also have a strong success in these cases.
Ha! Love that -- your body forces you to go and run it out.
It’s not just running that we need to psyche ourselves for, it’s everything. Motivators for me include: the promise of coffee, the applause of my readers, the idea that somewhere on a bus route I’ll find a story to write.
An early-morning Zoom writing group gets me out of bed in the morning; contemplating gratitude gets me ready for sleep at night.
If you don’t have a motivator, time to create one. You might try prayer. Not to a particular deity or saint, just a conversation with the Universe.
I remember watching an old episode of Jerry Seinfeld's "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee," with Julia Louis-Drefyus, and she said something I'll never forget: "You always need something to look forward to." It can be anything, really -- a goal, an event, a weekend seeing a friend or a loved one you haven't seen in a while, a new project, anything. But we all need something to look forward to. Also, I really like your idea about "just a conversation with the universe" -- I need to do that more.
Every race, whether it’s a 5K, 10K or a half, is for me, an opportunity to socialize. I care not for PRs or 1st, 2nd or 3rd, but as I have said before, I do my races (and my walks in between) to stay healthy. Once a race has started and I find myself tiring, I find another runner to pace with and distract me from my lack of energy. If runners aren’t around, I’ll focus on my music, finding another song that distracts me and gets me into a groove.
That is me............I realized the other day (I am in the middle of training for my 2nd Half this year)........questioning why I signed up when it was difficult the first time around..........then I realized it is the excitement of the early morning rush to get into the right corral.,......visiting while waiting for the start........meeting to people and then the total excitement of the finish.........it is the rush, the fun, the people.........train like no one is watching and enjoy the race..........your are only accountable to yourself........I am 76 , what do I have to prove?????
LOVE this, Dave!
Good morning. I just realized recently that setting a goal keeps me motivated…..I did not have any races/events on my upcoming schedule and my mojo was just not there. I was wavering day to day on my dedication to keep running and fit. Then I set a goal for 2026 and voila! My mojo has returned. I read that is common among runners…..they need a race to train for.
I worked for AT&T for 52+ years and in that time, I attended a number of “charm school” sessions … what we called classes that promoted teamwork and motivation. One instructor drew an inverted triangle and placed “thesis” and “antithesis” at the top corners and “synthesis” at the bottom. “Thesis” was the existing situation … “I’m 15 lb overweight”, “I have to be the center of attention.”, “I’m argumentative.” “Antithesis” is your objective … “I’m at 165.”, “Everyone in the room is an equal.”, “I’m flexible.” By posting the antithesis statements on your refrigerator and/or your laptop monitor, you constantly remind yourself of where you want to be and you develop and execute the steps that will achieve that change. I believe this can be applied to our personal race performance!
I can see that -- having a goal keeps you "up" for pushing yourself, for going just a bit longer, to seeing what you're actually capable of. Really true.