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
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Training partners are always good to keep you accountable and to get you out for a run. I love my group for those reasons!
ReplyDeleteFor sure! Running with others helps you be accountable.
DeleteThe training plan is my friend!
ReplyDeleteI've been following it since July!
DeleteI am always much more motivated when I have a race that I am working towards! I hope you're feeling better!
ReplyDeleteOh 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!
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I've realized i'm a little behind on recording my miles though!
DeleteHoliday season or not, these are all great tips! Having a running partner is key and definitely helps workouts more enjoyable!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Having a partner also gives you someone to talk to!
DeleteGreat 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.
ReplyDeleteThe great thing about my partner is that she always has extra water too!
DeleteAll 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!
ReplyDeleteI truly believe the majority of running is all mental!
DeleteAll 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.
ReplyDeleteTraining plans are great. Even though they're on paper, I feel guilty if I skip a workout.
ReplyDeleteGreat 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.
ReplyDeleteRunning buddies are the best! You know they are waiting for you and you have to get your butt out there :)
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteI'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.
ReplyDeleteI home gym is certainly nice to have during the winter month? Good luck toy you. Let us know how your training goes!
DeleteMy 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.
ReplyDeleteIt really helps to have a buddy, I feel guilty when I try to bail out! Great points!
ReplyDeleteThese 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!
ReplyDeleteMy calendar motivates me - when I leave it blank from not working out - I hate it!
ReplyDeleteA "in yo face' of failure
Training partners and running buddies are the best! I put all my workouts on my calendar too so I can track it all! TGIF!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeletegreat 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!
ReplyDeleteI love using my calendar. I color code my workouts in green.. the greener the better :)
ReplyDeleteI'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!
ReplyDeleteI 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...
ReplyDeleteI have a great running partner that keeps me motivated too! Beyond grateful for her during the holidays :)
ReplyDeleteFor 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.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! Tracking yourself and following a plan is so key to staying on track!
ReplyDeleteThe 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!
ReplyDeleteThose are great tips! I think having a training log is huge. I hate seeing those empty pages!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me - I used to use my calendar to track all my workouts and have slacked on that!
ReplyDelete