As a runner, I always try and encourage others to run too. I know it’s hard to start, trust me, I’ve been there, but I have come up with some motivational tips to help you put on running shoes and go for a run.
New Gear
Personally, I have favorite leggings and a sports bra that makes all the difference in motivation. If you’re just getting started in running, treat yourself and buy some running wear that you would really enjoy. It really does motivate you when you have new shoes, leggings, shirts, or even socks. It’s like an uplifting feeling. Nike and Lulu lemon are my favorite brands if you’re wondering where to start.
Books
Go to the library and find some books on running. You don’t have to spend money for this one; I’m sure your public library has plenty of books on running. If not, Barnes and Noble has a whole section on sports, including a subsection specifically on running. I’ve recently finished a book titled Born to Run that was really inspiring. It discussed the Tarahumara who are considered the elite of the elite runners. My favorite part was discussing the evolution of the human body and how we have evolved to become better adapted to running so homo sapiens could outrun their prey.
Find Olympic Running Events to Watch
Recently, Shalane Flanagan won the women’s New York City marathon with a time of 2:26:53. She’s the first American women to win the New York City marathon after four decades of Kenyan winners. Her average pace was 5:36 per mile!!!!! If that’s not inspirational, I don’t know what is. If you don’t prefer long distances, you can find Allyson Felix run track in the Olympics as well. She has won five Olympic gold medals: three from the 4 x 400 meters and two from the 4 x 100 meters. Her 4 x 400 team set the world record in 2012 with 40.82 seconds!! Felix herself has the world record for the 150 meter event with a time of 16.36!! If you just look up running events on Youtube, you’re sure to find some inspiration.
Music
When I run by myself, I create a playlist of motivational songs so I don’t discourage myself from turning around and shortening my distance. Spotify has some great running playlists if you need a place to look for reference. Pandora’s today’s hits station is a favorite of mine when I get tired of my playlist. My favorite headphones to run in are called Yurbuds. They’re cheap and easy to find at Target or any music store! Beats is also an awesome brand of headphones to run with if you want to spend the extra money.
Set Goals
If you’re goal oriented like I am, this will help you get into running and in shape. I started my running career as a freshman in high school looking for a way to get in shape and stay healthy. I found the Cross Country team and was on varsity for most of high school. I also ran track in the spring so I didn’t have a whole semester off of running, and it gave me more speed work. I now run Cross Country in college and use the season as a way to motivate myself and stay in shape. Since my college doesn’t have a Track team, I have trouble finding the motivation to run. Luckily, my team mates have signed up for the Myrtle Beach Marathon, and I convinced myself to sign up too! I have 8 weeks left of training, but I’m sure I’ll make it. With that in mind, sign up for a race if it will motivate you. The race can serve as a reminder to stick to your running schedule or calendar so you can do well. I usually set weekly and monthly goals for myself when I don’t have a race or season to motivate me, like in the summer. I set a goal that by the time summer ends, I will have run 250 miles. I break it down weekly and monthly, and it helps that I have my high school team to run with over the summer as well.
Follow Running Sites
There are a lot of websites out there dedicated just for running. If you need advice for how to train, what to eat, where to find a coach, or what gear you should buy, there are plenty of articles out there. A popular website you can browse on is “Runner’s World”. A journalist from Runner’s World wrote the book Born to Run, if you want me to legitimize it for you. If you want to find the most popular races, “Active.com” and “Running in the USA” will help you find one! For some awesome training plans, Hal Higson and Jeff Galloway have plans for any kind of running event that you’re interested in. “HalfMarathons.Net” and “Marathon Guide” have all of the half marathons in the USA and all of the full marathons in the world.
Set rewards
Setting up rewards for each run can help you find motivation to meet your goals, or to just encourage yourself to go on a run. I reward myself with a nap and usually a protein smoothie after each run; these rewards are also beneficial for recovering faster and getting stronger. I know that once you start running, you will feel exhausted, but by the end of the run, you will feel energized. Running clears the mind and gives you energy to make it through the day. It really does make a difference. Running also helps you create habits of eating a better diet and drinking more water. Before I was running, I drank soda often and did not even think about my water intake. Now that I’ve had some years of running under my belt, I carry water with me everywhere, and I tend to stay away from unhealthy food.
Find a running buddy or group
If it weren’t for my Cross Country team, I probably wouldn’t be as motivated or even running today. It’s easy to be discouraged when you’re by yourself, but when you are with a group or friend, you have someone to talk with to pass the time and even find some friendly competition. I tend to enjoy it more when I run in groups because I have to keep up with everybody. It also is the best time to talk, and that can get you energized enough to fasten the pace.
Follow runners on Instagram
One woman who goes by Grayson Murphy runs cross country and track for the University of Utah, and you can find her on Instagram at racin_grayson. She has running posts and cute posts, all for the inspiration of achieving your goals as an athlete. Professional runner for Asics Rachel Johnson is on Instagram at rachrunsworld. She also happens to be a Furman Elite, if you need more reasons to be impressed. Nothing like running pictures to kindle your inner running spirit. If you want to follow an Olympian runner, alexipappas is the woman to follow. She not only posts running pictures, but encouraging poems and quotes. If you like Steve Prefontaine and the Oregon Ducks is your team, Jordan Hasay is a professional runner for the Nike Oregon Project. Her Instagram is jordanhasay, and you might find yourself wanting to get acupuncture after following her. There are several other people you can follow on Instagram like stinatroest, abuchalski, and runsaigeyrun, but I think this list is a good start!
This list is just what helps me personally. I asked my team mates what inspired them, and they suggested a lot of people on Instagram to follow. Now I can find some more ways to motivate myself to run!
