Did you sign up for the Holy Half back in December excited to train and compete? If the excitement is wearing off and you are beginning to wonder what you got yourself into, you aren’t alone.
Whether you are a seasoned runner or a beginner, training for a race is never easy. Sure, many days you can get out the door and enjoy your run without any problems. However, if you are like me, there are also a handful of days when you find and complete every random task you can think of to put off going for a run. Missing a planned day of training every once in awhile is okay, but if it becomes a habit, race day may not go smoothly.
Consistency is one of the most important factors in ensuring race day success. Since I started running over seven years ago, I have found a few ways to keep myself running on a consistent basis:
1. Run with others
Committing to run with others is going to keep you accountable. When your alarm goes off on Sunday morning for your long run, it’s unlikely that you will hit the snooze button and leave your friend to run alone. Don’t have any running buddies yet? Get involved with the running club on campus or reach out to people in your dorm. Chances are there are other people training as well! Not only will you get out the door, but running with others can make your run go by faster and often feel easier than if you go it alone.
2. Run to something
Plan to finish your weekend long run with bagels at Einstein’s, hot chocolate at Rein, or any of your favorite spots in the area. Feeling as if you are running towards or for something in the near future, and not two months down the road can create a sense of urgency and keep you motivated week-to-week.
3. Get outside
With the arrival of winter in South Bend and the addition of Friends to Netflix it can be less than appealing to bundle up and head outside. If I am uncomfortable walking to class in a winter coat, I convince myself running won’t be much better. Although running on the treadmill is a possibility, it can also be about as boring as watching paint dry.
Make sure you are properly dressed and head outside for your run.Once you conquer your first few outdoor workouts you won’t look back and will that much more likely to stick with your training plan.
4. Read
Do a little running related reading. A few of my favorite books are Running with the Kenyans, Unbroken, and Eat and Run. As cliché as it sounds, running is about a lot more than just crossing a finish line. I find it inspiring to learn about other people’s journeys in the sport, and I’ve gained a new perspective on the value of running and how it can rejuvenate me mentally when I am feeling less than enthused about running.
I can’t promise you that every time you get out the door to run that it is going to go perfectly, but finding a way to keep at it on the tough days is almost always rewarding. When you cross the finish line in March you can look back and be proud of the challenges you overcame.
What keeps you going during training? Share your tips with us and feel free to tag us in some post-run photos!
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