August 27, 2008 - Motivation

Yo Run Gang,

I was recently asked what to do when youre not feeling motivated to go out for a run. I thought Id give some of my common answers: Motivation is a feeling, feelings are a choice. Like so many things in life, yes, happiness is a choice. Example: You get in a traffic jam, your choice could be to sit in this rush hour traffic jam and appreciate the time alone with your thoughts, to sort out the world, or, you could park the car and get in a run, not loosing any time in your day, or, you can gripe, moan and complain about how the world is and be miserable. Your choice! (Reminder: Keep a bag of running gear in your car at all times!)

Another example: When the weather is hot and muggy, you can make an action plan and put out some ice water on a shaded loop and get psyched about the challenge of this hot run and how it will help with your heat adaptation for the next hot race, or, you can gripe, moan and complain about how the world is, do nothing and be miserable!

So, when your mind seems to be made up that it wants to do anything but run, go run. Show your mind that not running is not an option. Hey head, get with the program or be miserable, it's up to you, I'm running! Feel bad; run down, unmotivated, good! Once this run is finished you will have a much greater feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment than an easy run on a nice day. Those are the wimpy runs!

So the next time you feel unmotivated, get your lazy butt out the door and hammer!

Randy Step, who chooses to be an obsessed runner