As a physician in my early 50’s I see so many patients in my age group (and decades younger… and older) who are horribly out of shape, often with diabetes and/or other chronic conditions due to obesity and ultimately poor lifestyle. My horribly out of shape sister recently had a stroke at 50, thankfully doing ok now. I am motivated to NOT age in this manner. I don’t necessarily love the act of running itself, and among runners I am around average, but I embrace the challenge and feel better for doing it. Right now I am in the best shape of my life and it is essentially the health benefit of exercise that motivates me to persevere.
I understand a little about that too T Solomon. My closest friends are obese yet working on losing. I can only help them so much because I have not had weight struggles in my life like that. Fortunately they are helping each other with accountability. And one is a physician.
I identify with your words about not loving running all the time. I had some physical set backs 14 years ago that still affect me. But the one thing I try hard at is to not let that be my identity. And like you (at 58) I want to age well. There is a locally famous runner in my city who just turned 100. I think he may have given up halves around 97 but he still runs 3 miles several times each week with another locally famous ultra runner. THAT is how I want to age. Thanks for sharing.
It is sad we live in a culture of obesity. The young people of today are a disaster. I do my best to motivate my patients but sadly it is rare to see someone truly change their lifestyle and reverse course. It does happen, and I have seen inspiring examples of it. Those patients are often motivated by how much better they feel. Maintaining the motivation is a huge challenge for most others as results take time and discipline. Often there are barriers to exercise—some are valid reasons and others are excuses. This is true for all of us. Ideally we work hard in our jobs and invest and plan for the future financially but we do not make that same commitment to maintaining our bodies the best we can for our later years.
This is all so, so (sadly) true, and I'm really glad you chimed in. For the patients you mention that you've seen make lasting changes, what do you think worked in those cases? What was different about them that helped them accomplish that, vs. all the others?
The root cause of my running motivation is that I know I feel my best while maintaining a minimum of 20 miles a week (walk/run). At 75 years old, this is all the motivation I ever need. Stop and I feel sub par. Maintain and I thrive. For me, it is a no-brainer. I am blessed that it is so binary.
Terrific. Love your writing Terrell and all that you are planning and creating in this space. The deeper you dig, the more we all benefit. Very grateful!
Thanks Terrell! How we help ourselves be of help to ourselves is such a fascinating topic. May I recommend a book I’m listening to on my long runs--Do Hard Things by Steve Magness. Great runner who integrates the neuroscience of adaptation and response and teaching ourselves true toughness which isn’t the same as being hard on ourselves. Great training for that intrinsic motivation you mentioned.
You know, I'm glad you mentioned him -- I'd love to get him for an interview here, either in audio or maybe a live chat. What would you ask him if you could?
Hi- this was exactly the experience we had with our son and piano! 😂 but so true for anything that feels like effort! If you have intrinsic motivation it’s not work. With running I feel like there is some internal pull- I need to be out there, I need to run because it’s part of who I am now. But goals or challenges have been hugely motivating too.
This is such a great piece, Terrell. I completely agree with not only how we often end up having goals without even thinking of them as goals, as Keflezighi says, and also how you can't motivate yourself extrinsically. For me, my intrinsic motivation comes from wanting to get to certain places, literally. As a trail runner and mountain runner, I want to do certain races so I can tread those routes, see those views, be on top of whatever ridge or summit. So, that means I have to train to be able to do it. Especially as a middle-aged runner, I find it helps to think about this sort of through-goal which de-emphasizes speed and power and emphasizes process and endurance.
Thank you so much, Henriette! You are so kind -- this means a lot to me. And I'm right there with you as a middle-aged runner -- speed is a lot less interesting/important to me these days than having a great experience when I run, in a place that will be exhilarating (when possible!).
I just downloaded this app and excited to read all the comments. I don’t get on my laptop very often so I miss reading people’s comments. My summer has been slow largely due to the heat and humidity. ( I’m in southern California) but my body is finally adjusting and I had a couple of great runs this weekend!! Looking forward to seeing more comments.
Terrell, that is a great question. In my experience it really comes down to that intrinsic motivation you have described. It's like a light goes on and that person decides, I can't keep going on this way, I need to do better. They take responsibility for themselves and are disgusted with their current physical condition . They do not make excuses. They are not looking for a quick fix or asking for weight loss medication (which I don't prescribe). They reset their priorities, have a positive attitude, and put in the necessary hard work. They hold themselves accountable and correct course when they falter rather than throw up their hands and embrace total derailment. It is virtually all psychological. In some cases lifestyle changes may be precipitated by a personal health scare or one involving a family member or friend, but more often deterioration is gradual-- a few pounds of weight gain year after year which adds up until they become prediabetic, hypertensive, etc. Many patients are content to make zero changes in their lifestyle and are all too happy to start down the road to multiple medications. They may be simply resigned to their fate or live in denial rather than answer the wake up call and put in the hard work. Others heed the call and as a physician those are the most gratifying follow up visits.
As always, I learn and get a new outlook from the things you share and the comments. Thank you Terrell and all!!! I love following and picking up new gems of running advice and/or advice that can be applied to my all over health plan which then affects my being. Thank You!
Great thoughts T! The other day in a thread you asked about heroes and I never had a chance to answer that one. Meb is the closest thing to a running hero for me. Not because of his accomplishments, but because of his soul/thoughts. I once heard him called the running philosopher or something along those lines.
I began running seriously in the fall of ‘15 at 51. The first 5 years I was very motivated. I jumped my distances from 10k in Nov to full 6 months later. 2nd full in Sep. I was even considering a 50 miler. After about 5 years I started to struggle with motivation. I still love running but more and more it is a vitamin which is good for me and not always great to swallow.
In ‘17 I even ran a half a month after my oldest daughters wedding while working 2 jobs to pay for it. In ‘18 my 2nd daughter got married while I was still doing 2 jobs and then I ran a full that Sep after straining both hamstrings in an early morning fall in Aug.
All this to say that as a person who has been running seriously for almost 7 years now, I understand the ebbs and flows of motivation. Right now I am only taking my “vitamins”, but working on getting the passion back. As I re-read this post going forward, I am confident it will help. Thank you!
As a physician in my early 50’s I see so many patients in my age group (and decades younger… and older) who are horribly out of shape, often with diabetes and/or other chronic conditions due to obesity and ultimately poor lifestyle. My horribly out of shape sister recently had a stroke at 50, thankfully doing ok now. I am motivated to NOT age in this manner. I don’t necessarily love the act of running itself, and among runners I am around average, but I embrace the challenge and feel better for doing it. Right now I am in the best shape of my life and it is essentially the health benefit of exercise that motivates me to persevere.
I understand a little about that too T Solomon. My closest friends are obese yet working on losing. I can only help them so much because I have not had weight struggles in my life like that. Fortunately they are helping each other with accountability. And one is a physician.
I identify with your words about not loving running all the time. I had some physical set backs 14 years ago that still affect me. But the one thing I try hard at is to not let that be my identity. And like you (at 58) I want to age well. There is a locally famous runner in my city who just turned 100. I think he may have given up halves around 97 but he still runs 3 miles several times each week with another locally famous ultra runner. THAT is how I want to age. Thanks for sharing.
It is sad we live in a culture of obesity. The young people of today are a disaster. I do my best to motivate my patients but sadly it is rare to see someone truly change their lifestyle and reverse course. It does happen, and I have seen inspiring examples of it. Those patients are often motivated by how much better they feel. Maintaining the motivation is a huge challenge for most others as results take time and discipline. Often there are barriers to exercise—some are valid reasons and others are excuses. This is true for all of us. Ideally we work hard in our jobs and invest and plan for the future financially but we do not make that same commitment to maintaining our bodies the best we can for our later years.
This is all so, so (sadly) true, and I'm really glad you chimed in. For the patients you mention that you've seen make lasting changes, what do you think worked in those cases? What was different about them that helped them accomplish that, vs. all the others?
The root cause of my running motivation is that I know I feel my best while maintaining a minimum of 20 miles a week (walk/run). At 75 years old, this is all the motivation I ever need. Stop and I feel sub par. Maintain and I thrive. For me, it is a no-brainer. I am blessed that it is so binary.
You really are, Clark! How've you been?
Terrific. Love your writing Terrell and all that you are planning and creating in this space. The deeper you dig, the more we all benefit. Very grateful!
I feel the same way!! Run strong
Thanks Terrell! How we help ourselves be of help to ourselves is such a fascinating topic. May I recommend a book I’m listening to on my long runs--Do Hard Things by Steve Magness. Great runner who integrates the neuroscience of adaptation and response and teaching ourselves true toughness which isn’t the same as being hard on ourselves. Great training for that intrinsic motivation you mentioned.
You know, I'm glad you mentioned him -- I'd love to get him for an interview here, either in audio or maybe a live chat. What would you ask him if you could?
I would like him on my podcast too! I would ask him his toughest moment running or in life and his prices through it!
I mean process through it
Hi- this was exactly the experience we had with our son and piano! 😂 but so true for anything that feels like effort! If you have intrinsic motivation it’s not work. With running I feel like there is some internal pull- I need to be out there, I need to run because it’s part of who I am now. But goals or challenges have been hugely motivating too.
I'm so glad it resonated with you, Anita! How is your summer going?
I just love this! Thank you thank you thank you!!
I really needed this, perfect timing
Thanks, Denise!
This is such a great piece, Terrell. I completely agree with not only how we often end up having goals without even thinking of them as goals, as Keflezighi says, and also how you can't motivate yourself extrinsically. For me, my intrinsic motivation comes from wanting to get to certain places, literally. As a trail runner and mountain runner, I want to do certain races so I can tread those routes, see those views, be on top of whatever ridge or summit. So, that means I have to train to be able to do it. Especially as a middle-aged runner, I find it helps to think about this sort of through-goal which de-emphasizes speed and power and emphasizes process and endurance.
Thank you so much, Henriette! You are so kind -- this means a lot to me. And I'm right there with you as a middle-aged runner -- speed is a lot less interesting/important to me these days than having a great experience when I run, in a place that will be exhilarating (when possible!).
I just downloaded this app and excited to read all the comments. I don’t get on my laptop very often so I miss reading people’s comments. My summer has been slow largely due to the heat and humidity. ( I’m in southern California) but my body is finally adjusting and I had a couple of great runs this weekend!! Looking forward to seeing more comments.
Kudos to a great teacher! If you give something to a kid he likes to do, you get much better results.
The old saying applies, "You catch more flies with honey. . . !"
Off to the Market. Let's see what the farmers brought in today. :)
Terrell, that is a great question. In my experience it really comes down to that intrinsic motivation you have described. It's like a light goes on and that person decides, I can't keep going on this way, I need to do better. They take responsibility for themselves and are disgusted with their current physical condition . They do not make excuses. They are not looking for a quick fix or asking for weight loss medication (which I don't prescribe). They reset their priorities, have a positive attitude, and put in the necessary hard work. They hold themselves accountable and correct course when they falter rather than throw up their hands and embrace total derailment. It is virtually all psychological. In some cases lifestyle changes may be precipitated by a personal health scare or one involving a family member or friend, but more often deterioration is gradual-- a few pounds of weight gain year after year which adds up until they become prediabetic, hypertensive, etc. Many patients are content to make zero changes in their lifestyle and are all too happy to start down the road to multiple medications. They may be simply resigned to their fate or live in denial rather than answer the wake up call and put in the hard work. Others heed the call and as a physician those are the most gratifying follow up visits.
As always, I learn and get a new outlook from the things you share and the comments. Thank you Terrell and all!!! I love following and picking up new gems of running advice and/or advice that can be applied to my all over health plan which then affects my being. Thank You!
Great thoughts T! The other day in a thread you asked about heroes and I never had a chance to answer that one. Meb is the closest thing to a running hero for me. Not because of his accomplishments, but because of his soul/thoughts. I once heard him called the running philosopher or something along those lines.
I began running seriously in the fall of ‘15 at 51. The first 5 years I was very motivated. I jumped my distances from 10k in Nov to full 6 months later. 2nd full in Sep. I was even considering a 50 miler. After about 5 years I started to struggle with motivation. I still love running but more and more it is a vitamin which is good for me and not always great to swallow.
In ‘17 I even ran a half a month after my oldest daughters wedding while working 2 jobs to pay for it. In ‘18 my 2nd daughter got married while I was still doing 2 jobs and then I ran a full that Sep after straining both hamstrings in an early morning fall in Aug.
All this to say that as a person who has been running seriously for almost 7 years now, I understand the ebbs and flows of motivation. Right now I am only taking my “vitamins”, but working on getting the passion back. As I re-read this post going forward, I am confident it will help. Thank you!
Another great piece! Thanks Terrell! 👍🏼