Running Advice?

Question

I'm 18, average weight, everything normal, but I want to run to stay in shape. The problem is I can not ever make myself motivated to run. I said today that I would wake up and go for a run but here I am on the computer...

Any advice on how to motivate yourself to run, other than "just go do it" because that isn't working with me.

What do you guys do to motivate yourself? How often and far do you run?

Thanks.

Answer 1

I know exactly how you feel as I am sure there are plenty of others who lack the motivation including myself. What works for me- I am a former Army soldier and deputy sheriff so I am familiar with the demands of running- you have to find your most productive time of day. For me, the early mornings are the best time for me so I do better to run at 5am than at any other time of the day. Others do better in the evenings- just depends what your peak productive time of the day is and that is the most likely time you will be able to push yourself out the door and down the road. Get an iPod Shuffle if you want something cheap and easy to take with you on a run, great running shoes AND socks- ASICS shoes are my fav, stretch for a few minutes after jogging in place while listening to some blood pumping music and head out the door! Focus more on time than on distance in the beginning- at 20 minutes if you are still feeling pretty good keep going to 30 minutes, etc. Eventually you will find yourself lost in your music or thoughts and have been running for an hour or more. For me, I used to run just 6 miles every other day but after I was injured in the Army, I can do 3 miles without needing a cane to make it home! Once you start getting out there, either drive a route that is safe to run in order to set mini goals for yourself by using the odometer (i.e.from the end of my driveway to the speed limit sign by the beach is 1 mile one way- 2 miles round trip) or use a local track and depending on size of the track determines how many laps you need for 1 mile or more. If you are a new runner, take it slow and develop endurance and strength through stretching and breathing. If you are more advanced, I would say push yourself but still not to the point of risking injury. I have also found another motivational tool- especially for those of us who deal with pain while running. Chi Running is a book on how to run by training yourself to focus on other things which helps you reach your goals and potential. I have enjoyed the book immensely and recommend it to anyone who is interested in running. Good luck and get out there!!

Answer 2

try running like a little bit at a time then go farther each day

take an ipod or mp3 with you so you get pumped up by the music

running is a great way to get in shape

Answer 3

I have the same problem as you, but i run because i made a commitment to the track team.  On my own, what i find works is to make it as though it was an "appointment'.  Pretend you're going to the doctor.  3:00, sharp, you need to be stretching, or at 2:30 you need  to be getting ready, or something like that.  I find that if i schedule it as though it was anything else, it becomes just as important as anything else, and so i do it.

~Abab

P.S. I run generally 6 days a week with the team, and, depending on the season and our goals, we run at least 25 miles a week when we have nothing competative for the rest of a season, and upwards of 35 miles weekly during a competative time.

Answer 4

.To motivate you run with a friend that will make you more motivated because you wouldn't want to lose to a friend because they will probably hold it over you head forever. Also when you run your friend can keep you distracted from any pains because you will talk to them while you run (most like) that's what i do. also running is a mental sport too your mind might say to give up but you just have to preserver. i run 3 to 4 days a week on my own or with friends and on my own or with friends i run about 1-4 miles a day but when i run cross country or track my average running a week is 25-30 miles.

Answer 5

just exercise everyday, jog for a little bit that well help you. :)

Answer 6

yea I' m kind of underweight so I don't know if you want my advice but what modivates me to run everyday is I listen to music that I really like in my case its old Michael Jackson songs. While your on the treadmail or running you should listen to a cd or your ipod and just sing along with the songs or just listen. Anyways you should do from 20-30 minutes around 4 times a week.