Give yourself a push with a training plan
Recently, in the midst of the plummeting temperatures and snowstorms, I was asked what motivated me to keep running. The answer was simple- by following my training plan. So for the first in a series of motivational tips to keep you running, the power of plans was an obvious subject. For anyone struggling with motivation, whatever kind of runner you are, beginning a training plan or revamping an old one can provide the incentive you need to keep going. It doesn’t matter if the plan consists of running round the block three times a week or is a technical masterplan of miles in a medley of tempo, interval and endurance runs, seeing your schedule stretching out before you and looking back at your plan to see what you have achieved so far is the best encouragement around to lace up your trainers and hit the streets.
With the right training plan, not only do you get the satisfaction of ticking off the days and the seeing your mileage add up, but you can lessen some of the willpower needed to get you running through hard times by submitting total control to the plan. Whatever it orders you to do, you do; if it says ‘jump’, you check how high. That way you begin to function on autopilot and don’t think about whether you have the motivation to run or not. Before you know it you’re getting out your pen to smugly tick off another session.
There are other benefits too. Without a plan you telling you when to run and what type of training to do you aren’t always certain that you are doing all you can to achieve your goals. If you have a structured plan to your exercise, you don’t need to feel guilty for not pushing yourself further or faster or wonder if you should be out running more, you can simply follow the instructions. And of course, with a pre-ordained plan you experience the untold pleasure of prescribed rest days, when you can relax knowing that you have earned the time off and are still working towards your goal by vegging out on the sofa. Now that’s motivating!
Other Recommended Reading
- Keep Running – Motivational Tip Number 2
- Keep Running – Motivational Tip 3
- Fun Run – Motivational Tip 8
- Get In The Habit – Motivational Tip 10
- Keep Running – Motivational Tip 4
About the author
I am a trained medical doctor and a writer specialising in health and medicine, fitness and outdoor sports and dreaming about becoming a novelist. I have been a runner for many years and have run-explored in places around the world including Paris, Barcelona, Lausanne, Porto, California, New York and North Carolina, to name a few. I also enjoy swimming, cycling, badly attempting sailing and other watersports, and thinking about doing a triathlon (whilst sitting comfortably at home drinking copius amounts of tea).
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Hi Laura, Thanks for the advice. I always fail to plan properly and as a result my training suffers. I think the best option is to print off your schedule and stick it to your fridge. This way it’s always there as a reminder and also stops you/me snacking!