Most runners struggle with motivation to varying degrees. We want the results – personal best times, weight loss, a great looking body – but wish the training could be as satisfying as the races. It’s not that running isn’t fun, but runners constantly need something to strive for.
As I was reading a great article on Fit Milwaukee about running motivation, I realized that the single most effective way that I motivate myself is by signing up for a race. Or multiple races. Plan you entire year’s race schedule if you want. Pay the registration fee so you have a financial interest in reaching your goals. Give yourself the daily push you need to get out the door. The guilt of losing all the progress you’ve made, having to drop out of the race, and being out $20+ are all powerful factors in keeping your training plan on track.
By registering for races far in advance, you will have time to completely plan your training schedule out 12-18 weeks before the race. You can find others running the same races and plan buildup runs with them. If you’re on dailymile, you can add events to your calendar and see who else is running the race.
I’ve signed up for two major races this year – the Wisconsin Half Marathon in May and the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon in October. Along the way, I will schedule shorter races into my training plan to keep my speed up. I’m planning on participating in as many long group runs as possible so I have something to look forward to on a weekly basis. All these things combined will not only help motivate me, but will help me become a better and more prepared runner in 2010.
What’s the number one way you motivate yourself running?
Image credit: moragcasey
