The Running Thread - 2016

[CheapRunnerMike]

QOTD: Anyone have any tricks when motivation is lacking… the bed magnet is incredibly strong or you don’t feel like going for other reasons? What keeps you going? What do you think of to make you determined to get out there?

I'm with @rteetz on this one...a race on the schedule is great motivation (or guilt, however you want to look at it). Having a plan helps too as you will feel the need to stick to it. You can also bribe yourself...pizza and beer usually works for me
The hardest part of any run is just getting out there...once you start you remember how great it is (...usually)

 

[RunDisneyDad]

Ugh, I know that feeling! Generally my lack of motivation comes from fatigue, so when I feel myself having no desire to run, I will slow my paces down until I feel comfortable. If I’m still not feeling motivation I’ll just shut it down. I’ve also found rolling and stretching helps get a little pop in my legs which helps offset some of the fatigue.

I do agree with @CheapRunnerMike who agrees with@rteetz , having a race to focus on helps, or if you don’t have a race on the horizon focus on building yourself up in preparation for your next training cycle. Running/training isn’t easy, if it was easy more people would do it.

 

[roxymama]

QOTD: Anyone have any tricks when motivation is lacking… the bed magnet is incredibly strong or you don’t feel like going for other reasons? What keeps you going? What do you think of to make you determined to get out there?

Putting my running clothes and shoes on...even if I know I'm not going out for another hour until the baby is in bed/napping. If my running clothes are on it would be weird not to run is my thought process. My kid will ask "are you going running" when she sees it...so then I have to say yes.

Also checklists!
I'm very unmotivated when I don't have a plan in place or a list to check off. My C25K app was the only reason I ever made it this far in running..having those workouts to complete. And now I have my Badger plan in place...and I hate not checking off my workouts as done...so that motivates me for sure. And hey, Coach @DopeyBadger , Yes, I ran last night per the plan

 

[DopeyBadger]

QOTD: Anyone have any tricks when motivation is lacking… the bed magnet is incredibly strong or you don’t feel like going for other reasons? What keeps you going? What do you think of to make you determined to get out there?

This one's hard for me because I rarely lack the motivation to run these days. My main motivation are my goals.

I knew to lose weight I had to get out that door and run, so I did.
I knew to run a marathon I had to get out that door and run, so I did.
I knew to break a sub-2 hr half marathon I had to get out that door and run, so I did.
I knew that to break a sub-4 hr marathon I had to get out that door and run, so I did.
I know that to break a sub-3hr marathon I have to get out that door and run, so I do.

My goals drive me and my goals are extremely personal. If there wasn't a soul left on Earth other than me and I would have no one to tell after any of my accomplishments, I would still get out that door and run (unless of course there was some sort of nuclear disaster, meteor, crazy aliens, well you get the point). It matters to me, as running isn't something I just do anymore, it's something I have become. I love to train by running. If I could run more often, and it worked with my family life, I probably would. As my motto says, You have to PROVE that you really want something. I won't luck into my goals, they are going to take consistent hard work. It's one of the reasons I love running so much. I get out of it what I put in it.

 

[roxymama]

If there wasn't a soul left on Earth other than me and I would have no one to tell after any of my accomplishments, I would still get out that door and run (unless of course there was some sort of nuclear disaster, meteor, crazy aliens, well you get the point).

Well, at least you know you are going to be well trained to run away when the crazy aliens eventually come for you.

 

[roxymama]

Oh, I think I have one more. When I run in a race and I see people who are faster than me...that's motivating for sure. When I have a big gap between races I tend to want to live on my couch more. When I finally go to a race and see women like me kicking my behind with their times or passing me...I get a fire in me again. So...I'm competitive in other words.

 

[opusone]

QOTD: Anyone have any tricks when motivation is lacking… the bed magnet is incredibly strong or you don’t feel like going for other reasons? What keeps you going? What do you think of to make you determined to get out there?

Training partners! If you have someone who will be waiting for you, then you are much more likely to get out of bed. When I've had a training partner or two, I've always been more consistent. Unfortunately, a training schedule with specific paces can make having training partners tough unless you just happen to be at about the same speed.

 

[ZellyB]

Well, I'd echo a lot of what has already been said. Having a race scheduled helps me and also a training schedule. Probably the biggest motivator though is my training partner who also happens to be my husband. Usually one or the other of us is always more willing to get out of bed and go run, so once the other is up, you feel obligated to get up yourself. Sometimes we both get lazy on the same day, but not very often.

 

[michigandergirl]

Beer City USA. Sounds like my kinda town. Any good running events in Grand Rapids that I need to put on the calendar?

We have the largest 25K in the country! The Fifth Third River Bank Run is May 14th and you get a free beer at the finish.

 

[Chaitali]

Having races on the schedule and running dates with friends are my biggest motivators As far as little things I do to motivate myself, make it as easy as possible. So I lay out all my clothes and things I need for a morning run the night before. If I'm working from home and planning on an afternoon run, I dress in my running clothes and just work in them during the day so I can head out the door when it's time. For running on the treadmill, I watch shows on Netflix but only let myself watch them when on the treadmill or elliptical. Currently, I'm watching Alias and wanting to know what happens is good motivation

 

[PrincessV]

QOTD: Anyone have any tricks when motivation is lacking… the bed magnet is incredibly strong or you don’t feel like going for other reasons? What keeps you going? What do you think of to make you determined to get out there?

ATTQOTD: So, I'm about to be one of those annoying people... It's exceedingly rare for me to not want to get outside and run. Like, I can count on one hand how many times that happens in a year. I run first and foremost because I simply love doing it, so I never lack motivation! On those rare days that I'm just not feeling it at all, I take the day off; I figure my body must be telling me something if I'm at that point.

Now getting myself onto the treadmill in bad weather is another story - I loathe and despise the treadmill. I need the carrot of a good movie or show on a TV right in front of me to get motivated for that.

 

[cburnett11]

QOTD: Anyone have any tricks when motivation is lacking… the bed magnet is incredibly strong or you don’t feel like going for other reasons? What keeps you going? What do you think of to make you determined to get out there?

I need to have a race(s) lined up in the future to keep me going or some type of plan. I don't have a serious plan now (post marathon), but I do still "need" to run Mon, Tue, Thur, and Sat. I can move those around slightly, but try my hardest not to miss. Running last night in 9 degree windchill sorta sucked (although the people more North of me probably think that is plenty warm), but I felt REALLY good when I finished... I actually felt pretty good in mile 2 when the feeling returned to my face.

I have a series of races coming up beginning later this month. 5k/10k/10mile (triple crown) and then a half marathon in April. So those help. I also have a close friend that has run ~70,000 miles, so I know he's out there running in all conditions/moods so that motivates me a bit.

I just think about how good I feel after running vs. after missing a run.

 

[Dopey Devon]

Just got my ballot entry for the Great North Run! For those who haven't heard of it it's one of the largest half marathons in the world (wiki says it's the largest, but I think it's now second) running from Newcastle to South Shields in the north of England. I'm currently not living there now (up in bonny Scotland) but I'm originally from the area!

 

[Baloo in MI]

QOTD: Anyone have any tricks when motivation is lacking… the bed magnet is incredibly strong or you don’t feel like going for other reasons? What keeps you going? What do you think of to make you determined to get out there?

One motivation for me is making myself accountable. Sharing my plans with others, writing down my goals. This forces me to push when I am being weak. This is one reason I so appreciate this thread! It is a form of accountability, and a lot of fun too.

After so many decades I have learned not to tell myself that I have to work out. I tell myself that I want to work out. There is a very real difference. You are either committed to something, or you are not. Do you want to do this, or not. If not, stop pretending. That is usually enough to get me out the door.

I also remind myself that I will be very happy with myself if I work out, and very disappointed in myself if I do not.

I really like this perspective, shifting "have to" to "want to". This is a great reminder. When I am injured and can't run what I think is not that I am missing runs that I have to do. I am thinking I wish I could be out there running.

This one's hard for me because I rarely lack the motivation to run these days. My main motivation are my goals.

I knew to lose weight I had to get out that door and run, so I did.
I knew to run a marathon I had to get out that door and run, so I did.
I knew to break a sub-2 hr half marathon I had to get out that door and run, so I did.
I knew that to break a sub-4 hr marathon I had to get out that door and run, so I did.
I know that to break a sub-3hr marathon I have to get out that door and run, so I do.

My goals drive me and my goals are extremely personal. If there wasn't a soul left on Earth other than me and I would have no one to tell after any of my accomplishments, I would still get out that door and run (unless of course there was some sort of nuclear disaster, meteor, crazy aliens, well you get the point). It matters to me, as running isn't something I just do anymore, it's something I have become. I love to train by running. If I could run more often, and it worked with my family life, I probably would. As my motto says, You have to PROVE that you really want something. I won't luck into my goals, they are going to take consistent hard work. It's one of the reasons I love running so much. I get out of it what I put in it.

This is simply awesome! I really admire your philosophy and perspective. This makes me want to look at myself. With this type of drive you will get that sub-3 marathon! Thank you for sharing this.

 

[LSUlakes]

QOTD: From where do you buy most of your running gear? Do you support local stores? Do you buy online and which sources? Do you need guidance or do you already know exactly what you want? If you shop online, how could a local store bring you in? How much does the sale price vs. personal attention affect you?

ATTQOTD: I purchase about 95% of my running items from one of the local running stores in town. I have purchased some items online, but they are things my local store did not carry. I usually try a new type of show in the offseason and for any type of new shoe I like having feedback from a person on what they think will or wont work. It also helps that our local running store has free training groups and is like one big family. I would like to get more runs in with them, but my schedule doesn't always allow it.

 

[ZellyB]

QOTD: From where do you buy most of your running gear? Do you support local stores? Do you buy online and which sources? Do you need guidance or do you already know exactly what you want? If you shop online, how could a local store bring you in? How much does the sale price vs. personal attention affect you?

ATTQOTD: Combination for me. I buy shoes most often from our local running store although I also buy online as well especially if I want to buy the old version of my preferred shoe. I also buy some basic other supplies, socks, water bottles, fuel, long sleeve basic tech shirts etc. locally. I buy a lot of my apparel on line because the local stores don't carry them (sparkle skirts and lately INKnBurn). I like buying from our running store locally because I like to support the local economy and they are just good folks who really spend a lot of time with you working on what you need. They do a lot to support local running events as well and that's important to me too. Price is not a HUGE driver for me, but I won't say it doesn't matter, but I don't mind to pay a bit more if I can support local.

 

[Anisum]

QOTD: From where do you buy most of your running gear? Do you support local stores? Do you buy online and which sources? Do you need guidance or do you already know exactly what you want? If you shop online, how could a local store bring you in? How much does the sale price vs. personal attention affect you?

It depends on what it is. For clothes I buy them from Kohls because they fit me best and are reasonably priced. For shoes and sports beans I buy from Roadrunner. We have a local running store near us but I don't get a good feeling when I go there. I mentioned it on another thread but they usually have three or four people working and they will usually ignore me even if I'm the only one in the store they just whisper in the corner. I've noticed they only make an effort to interact with people who look like they're in shape/like they run regularly (I'm still fairly heavy even though I've lost a lot of weight running) so the whole experience is uncomfortable. I'll only buy something there if it's cheaper there like body glide. I would like to try another branch (they have four that cover my area) because I've heard good things about them as a whole and they support a lot of local races but my experience has never been positive.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

QOTD: From where do you buy most of your running gear? Do you support local stores? Do you buy online and which sources? Do you need guidance or do you already know exactly what you want? If you shop online, how could a local store bring you in? How much does the sale price vs. personal attention affect you?

A bit of everything.. The running store i like is an hour+ away so i tend to end up there occasionally but do stock up on my gel there. There is a fit2run near by but after they never had what i needed i only browse.. Clothes i tend to buy on clearance wherever.. My mom now makes all my 'sparkle skirts' which i love as not only are they 'free' it like running with a 'piece of home'

 

[Diskidatheart]

[QUOTE QOTD: What is something very unique to where you live that is not common in other parts of the country?[/QUOTE]

In Pittsburgh, French Fries are a huge deal! We put them on everything. You haven't had a sandwich until you go to Primanti Bros where they put French fries and coleslaw right on the sandwich (or as we say...sammich). We also put fries on salads. If you order a Pittsburgh chicken/steak salad, don't be surprised when your salad arrives with fries covering it. Since I grew up in Pittsburgh, I never realized that this was unique to our area until the first time I traveled away from home and ordered a chicken salad and asked the waitress where the fries were...LOL.

 

[DVCFan1994]

QOTD: From where do you buy most of your running gear? Do you support local stores? Do you buy online and which sources? Do you need guidance or do you already know exactly what you want? If you shop online, how could a local store bring you in? How much does the sale price vs. personal attention affect you?

ATTQOTD: I purchase about 95% of my running items from one of the local running stores in town. I have purchased some items online, but they are things my local store did not carry. I usually try a new type of show in the offseason and for any type of new shoe I like having feedback from a person on what they think will or wont work. It also helps that our local running store has free training groups and is like one big family. I would like to get more runs in with them, but my schedule doesn't always allow it.

I buy my shoes from my LRS, Marathon Sports. I've had ankle and calf injuries as well as plantar fasciitis severe enough it tore, therefore proper shoes are a key component for me. They are great and I like their insight into how models I wear may have changed and recommendations on similar shoes. Clothes I mostly buy from Athleta, sometimes online, sometimes in store. I just like the way their stuff fits me, and it holds up very well. I have stuff that is years old, and looks as good as it did when I bought it. Price matters, I like a good deal, but I am willing to spend more for items that will last. With the shoes personal attention matters, with clothes, not so much. The fit there is fairly obvious to me, and I know if things are not going to work.