7 ways to motivate yourself to run

As the weather begins to turn colder and life continues to come up with new distractions, we all find ourselves feeling like we just want to lie in front of the TV rather than pull on those trainers every once in a while. However, we also all know that feeling of regret if you do miss a workout, so here are 7 tips to help you to motivate yourself to get out and go even when you don't feel like it:

1. Get some cool running clothes

As well as the necessity of having properly supportive running shoes and sports bras and leggings that help prevent chafing, investing in some running gear which makes you smile will mean that you are excited to put it on and go for a run. Whether it’s a stylish bandana to stop sweat dripping into your eyes (like this colourful bandana available in our shop), leggings with a cool pattern or a t-shirt that you love, feeling confident in your outfit will help you to feel more confident in your ability.

2. Have a good running playlist

One of the best ways to keep yourself feeling motivated is to have a running playlist that you love (I've shared mine above). Some people prefer to listen to an audiobook or podcast, but whatever it is make sure it’s something that you’re excited to listen to. I often find that if I’ve recently updated my playlist then I can’t wait to go for a run so that I can listen to it. If you get tired and feel like you want to stop, focus on the music and don’t let yourself think about how far you’ve got left.

3. Build your run into your routine and don’t make it optional

Telling yourself that you will run ‘at some point today’ may lead to procrastination and eventually just deciding to put it off entirely. Instead, set a time to run and don’t give yourself any choice but to stick to it. Often this time may be first thing in the morning, particularly in the summer when this is the coolest time of day. But don’t worry if you’re not the sort of person who can just jump out of bed and go on a run. If you struggle to get yourself out of bed to run in the morning, it’s ok to try going later in the day. Find a time that works for you. The important thing is to stick to it.

4. Find a community

One way to make a running routine that you will stick to is to have other people to hold you accountable. This may be finding a friend who’s at a similar level of fitness to you and running together a couple of times a week, or even joining a local running club. The feeling that you are not alone, and the chance to have someone to talk to while you run, can often help to make the experience more enjoyable. Even if you prefer to run alone, try listening to our podcast ‘Run to the hills’ to get a sense of community.

5. Don’t give up

If you don’t manage to achieve your goals this can really knock your confidence and take away your motivation to continue. Firstly, remember that everyone has off days and having one day where you don’t perform as well as you’d like doesn’t make you any less of a runner. When you’re just beginning you can avoid this happening too often by making sure that you set achievable goals and don’t try to push yourself too hard too quickly. Find a reasonable training plan (see our 'training plans' section) and if it’s not right for you, don’t beat yourself up, just try a different one. The main thing is to remember all the things you love about running and try to stay positive.

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6. Switch up your routes

Although some people love routine, for others running the same route, day in and day out can become too boring. In that case try finding a new route. Take that turn that you’ve always run past, drive out to a new park or nature reserve, or turn left out of your front door rather than right and see what happens. Just mix it up, and let yourself enjoy the new surroundings rather than worry about fatigue.

7. Have something to work for

For some people running itself is the reward. If you aren't one of those people then find an event to train for. I always find it easier to motivate myself when I have a specific goal in mind and can imagine how cool I'll look (in my head) when I pass the finish line of that race in two months time.

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 Bonus: Have a tasty recovery snack to look forward to!

Finally, make sure that you can look forward to a delicious Chia Charge Protein crispy bar to refuel after your workout. They contain 20g of plant based protein to help rebuild your muscles after your workout, along with carbohydrates to ensure that your body can properly absorb the proteins!