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How to motivate yourself to run when you find it difficult to

There are times when finding motivation to engage in running is difficult

By thepavsalfordPublished 3 years ago Updated 9 months ago 3 min read
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When it comes to motivation for running, it is sometimes as simple as visualizing yourself wearing your running gear and going outside to run.

That’s all you need.

Running shouldn’t be complicated.

In fact, it is a straightforward activity that humans engage in from a very young age, and there is no real need to learn how to run; you only need to reprogram yourself to get into the habit again.

However, there are certain situations that many people may find it difficult to motivate themselves to run.

Running first thing in the morning

Many people find it hard to even speak first thing in the morning, let alone go out and start running on the street.

However, when the only time available to run is in the morning, it is necessary to work out a solution to the problem.

First of all, you need to take your time, and let yourself realize that you have actually woken up and you need to get prepared for running.

You only need to take that first step and open the door to go out and start running, rather than going back to bed and falling asleep. To begin is half the work; just don’t let yourself fall asleep.

Running after work

If you find it hard to motivate yourself first thing in the morning, what type of incentive would help you take up running after work?

Actually, from my personal experience, I believe that running or having any type of physical exercise after work is a great way to reenergize myself and start again afresh.

Just think about it.

If you see it as a game, running, let’s say, for half an hour after work can help you get rid of any toxic thoughts that result from work-related issues.

Running when tired

Feeling tired, in general, is a big obstacle to embarking on physical activity, such as running.

In order to motivate yourself for running in this case, you need to assess whether you need to have a rest and/or sleep, before you start running.

Taking a step back and relaxing can do the trick and help you recover, so that you are ready to engage in a session of running with fresh courage.

If you are exhausted from working long hours, allowing yourself to rest can actually increase your willingness and running motivation.

Running in the winter

Climate conditions can become an obstacle and make it more difficult for you to find the right motivation to run outdoors.

This is especially true during the winter, when cold weather may prevent you from engaging in outdoor running, finding comfort at home instead.

Having a short warm-up session for running before going outside can help you get in the mood for exercise and deal better with cold weather conditions.

On top of that, it definitely helps to get dressed properly, wearing light running clothes, which will be warm enough to help you maintain a steady and comfortable body temperature, however.

Running in the rain

Although running in the winter can be a challenge itself, many existing and prospective runners may find that running in dry cold weather conditions is easier than running in the rain.

You definitely need a different type of motivation to run on a slippery surface in wet weather conditions, and wearing the right kind of shoes can help you a lot in tackling this problem.

Of course, getting a rain jacket for running is another must for those who plan to run in the rain.

Running on the treadmill

On the other hand, there is another category of runners who would run outdoors in any weather conditions, but who dislike running on the treadmill at home or in the gym.

If you are really into running, you should give it a go and run on the treadmill just for once; who knows, you might like it, after all.

The opportunity of engaging in this alternative running activity and mastering it could be your motivation in this case.

Further reading:

8 motivational tricks to motivate your next run

12 tips to get you through your long run when you’re seriously struggling

4 science-backed ways to motivate yourself to work out

20 Ways to Get Motivated for a Run

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About the Creator

thepavsalford

Hi,

I have written articles for various websites, such as Helium, Hubpages, Medium, and many more.

Currently, I work as a translator. I have studied Tourism Management at college.

See you around on Vocal Media!

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