How to Stay On Track During the Rough Patches

The theme for the Friday Five this week is "How to Stay on Track'.  There couldn't have been a better theme for me to write about this week because after struggling with a cold last week and this week, I could have certainly found myself veering off track. However, I haven't fell of completely and here's why.

1. I have a running partner. I strongly suggest you get a buddy. Even if it's a walking buddy. You need some one to call you up and tell you they are picking you to go run/walk on the trail even when you don't feel like it. 

2.  I make ways to get workouts done in my own home. Fortunately, I have a treadmill at my house that I can use anytime I want. I know not everyone has the capability to run on a treadmill at home, but you can find some other way to stay active without having to drag yourself to the gym. I've also started doing a favorite workout video of mine again. It's called Fat Burning Cardio and I love it because it uses the Fitness Bands.

3.I track my progress on a calendar. I have a running log that I use. Sometimes it takes me a couple of days to transfer my data from my Garmin to my Calendar, but when I do, I feel so accomplished.  Seeing a few days gap on your calendar should be a sure way to motivate you to get stuff done!

4. I follow a training plan. I've never followed a training plan for any of my other races, I just ran on how I felt. Now that I am training for the Marathon I wanted something in print to follow. I admit I have adjusted some of the miles to suite me at the time but what really helps me is having a plan of how many miles I will be running before I even get out the door.

5. Okay, and if the above suggestions aren't enough to help keep you on track/motivated. Think about what your race day will be like? Do you want to be struggling?  Do you want to risk injury?  Do you want to fall behind all of your friends who have been training for months?  I didn't think so. So this is just more reason to make sure you get off the couch and go get stuff done!

I know the next month or so it may be a challenge to get those runs in.  I'm sure there will be weekends where we have Holiday things going on and we might not get that long run in, the weather is going to start getting colder, and illness will be in the air. We can't let these things get us off track though.   Hang in there friends!    ~M


Don't forget, there is still time to enter our GIVEAWAY!!!!!

                                    


39 comments:

  1. Training partners are always good to keep you accountable and to get you out for a run. I love my group for those reasons!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For sure! Running with others helps you be accountable.

      Delete
  2. I am always much more motivated when I have a race that I am working towards! I hope you're feeling better!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh absolutely! I've I didn't have a race coming up there would be no way i'd be out there running in bad weather or when i'm sick!

      Delete
  3. I love keeping track of my progress on a calendar. Its so much fun to see all of the days on the calendar filled in, and then it makes me even more thankful to see the rest days after a busy week of training.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree. I've realized i'm a little behind on recording my miles though!

      Delete
  4. Holiday season or not, these are all great tips! Having a running partner is key and definitely helps workouts more enjoyable!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Having a partner also gives you someone to talk to!

      Delete
  5. Great tips! Having someone to keep you accountable (and keep you company) is a great way to stay on point. I love keeping track of progress/training by using a calendar.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The great thing about my partner is that she always has extra water too!

      Delete
  6. All of these are great tips :) I actually used the envisioning race day thing during my 13 mile training run and it helped pull me through to finish the entire distance and not finish early!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I truly believe the majority of running is all mental!

      Delete
  7. All great tips! I just recently started running with a friend and it has really helped me get out on the days when I don't feel like doing anything.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Training plans are great. Even though they're on paper, I feel guilty if I skip a workout.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great list. I really need to start laying out (and shortly start running) for the Rock N Roll DC Half in the spring. I'm almost to the time when my long plan will start.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Running buddies are the best! You know they are waiting for you and you have to get your butt out there :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love to keep a written training log, as well, even though I have everything on my gadgets (phone, Garmin, etc.); are we just old school? :) I'm glad I'm not the only one! Thanks for a great list, Lacey!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've been lacking motivation lately and I'm planning on setting up a home gym over the weekend so I have no excuses for not getting it done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I home gym is certainly nice to have during the winter month? Good luck toy you. Let us know how your training goes!

      Delete
  13. My calender is my best friend. I easily get days and workouts mixed up but my calender keeps me on track! Also, cans make great weights if you don't have any free weights laying around.

    ReplyDelete
  14. It really helps to have a buddy, I feel guilty when I try to bail out! Great points!

    ReplyDelete
  15. These are all great! I know I got set back up on my training peaks for just that reason. Seeing all my hard work on the calendar really keeps me motivated... and seeing gaps tells me I need to get back on track. Good luck training for your marathon!

    ReplyDelete
  16. My calendar motivates me - when I leave it blank from not working out - I hate it!
    A "in yo face' of failure

    ReplyDelete
  17. Training partners and running buddies are the best! I put all my workouts on my calendar too so I can track it all! TGIF!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I just recently starting training with a printed plan (instead of the one I've used for years kept in my over cluttered brain). It helps! One less thing to think about. Just do what you are supposed to do today. And - {check} - done.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I have my marathon training plan up on the fridge. Living in the PNW, the long runs can be hard in the coming months, with the DW Marathon in January. I don't have a running buddy, by choice, but that works for me. I just get my clothes on, get my daughter to school and start running the plan for the day. I do it before I can talk my self out of it. I may move days around to suit the weather, (yesterday it was raining sideways with winds up to 30 mph at my house, so I moved the 10 miles to today when it would be a nice 50 degree sunny day). Just. Get. It. Done. No excuses!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I totally agree with having a running buddy!! Also tracking miles seems to work wonders. Still trying to make sure I hit 1000 before year end! Good luck to you! Enjoy the season!

    ReplyDelete
  21. great list! I'm lucky that my complex has a fitness center literally a 2 minute walk away so if it's cold or I don't want to mess with getting to the gym I can easily get a cardio session in!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love using my calendar. I color code my workouts in green.. the greener the better :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. I've been struggling with a cold ever since I got back from California too! It's so hard to work out and eat well when you feel bad, that's for sure. I do always use a training schedule, I always seem to have some sort of race on the horizon to focus on. Great ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love these tips!! I've just pulled myself out of an extended hiatus so I'm hoping to enact some of these to keep myself motivated! Oh how I wish I had a treadmill in my house - especially with moving back North, I have a feeling winter is going to make it much harder to stay motivated!! I think I might try the calendar idea though...

    ReplyDelete
  25. I have a great running partner that keeps me motivated too! Beyond grateful for her during the holidays :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. For the first time in my life, I actually have a running partner. She has two kids the same age as mine, so we have to tote them around with us sometimes too! It's so nice to have someone else join us with a similar situation. My kids love hers, so everyone is happy.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Great tips! Tracking yourself and following a plan is so key to staying on track!

    ReplyDelete
  28. The workout buddy is definitely key for me. I have a hard time working out at home because there is always an excuse to do something else around the house!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Those are great tips! I think having a training log is huge. I hate seeing those empty pages!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thanks for reminding me - I used to use my calendar to track all my workouts and have slacked on that!

    ReplyDelete