The Inspiration Muscle
Before a run, your legs need to be strong, but your brain needs to be warmed-up too.
| NOT IN THE MOOD? | |||||
When you're tentative about your motivation getting out the door for a run, it often helps to read (possibly out loud) the following list of benefits you receive after running:  Your attitude is better after every run. | | | Stress is released, often completely dissolved by the end of a run. | | Natural body chemicals (endorphins) are released during a run and they relax the body, reducing or eliminating muscle aches and pains. | | Your spirit is engaged during a run, leaving you with feelings of accomplishment, confidence, and strength. | | Body and mind are connected during a run, giving you the confidence that comes with being a more "complete" person. | | Your right brain is engaged during a run, energizing your creative and imaginative resources. |
| 5 REASONS TO GET OUT THE DOOR | |||||||
| | Runners are sexy - with the possible exception of swimmers, there’s no one with better bods out there. Great legs, tiny buns, and a little bit of upper body that you can’t get with cycling. | ||||||
| | Runners are low-maintenance. Shoes, road, and … well, that’s it. | Runners are sociable - think about all the aerobic zone training advice we get - “You should be able to carry on a conversation while running”. See, if we’re talking, we’re being sociable. | Runners are nice to children and dogs - tough to run over little kids when you’re running, and dogs make great running partners - they listen while you talk (See #3 above) | Runners pick up litter - Don’t you usually end your runs by dropping off something in the trash can? Makes the world a nicer place. | | |||
TIPS TO HELP YOU STICK WITH IT
Sign up for a race as soon as you feel up to it. Find a committed running partner. It’s harder to skip a run when you have someone else depending on you. Remember that you will have plateaus in your progress and tough days along the way. It gets easier. Accept and appreciate the fact that not every single run can be a good one. Be prepared to remove the words “can’t” and “never” from your vocabulary. Do not compare yourself to others. Run within yourself and for yourself. Don’t expect every run to be better than the last one; some of them will hurt. Don’t think too much about it or you won’t do it. Even a bad run is better than no run at all. If you normally run with music try skipping it and listening to your feet to hear your pace and your gait. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t experience weight loss immediately. Start a running blog and read other running blogs regularly.ONE-LINERS
Determination is the first chapter in the book of excellence. Winners must have two things: definite goals and a burning desire to achieve them. While most are dreaming of success, winners wake-up and work hard to achieve it. To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift. There is no GIANT step that does it. It’s a lot of LITTLE steps. Where there is passion and desire, there will always be new horizons. Believe in yourself. You must do that which you think you cannot. What lies behind us and what lies before us are small compared to what lies within us. The ability to succeed requires the realization of what one wants and the passionate desire to attain it.