how do you motivate yourself to go running?

[CheeseBored]

I always have such good intentions, to get up nice and early and go for a run....

And I always always fail to do so.

I have made exciting playlists, and get podcasts ready, but I just can't make myself do it.

Maybe I am just lazy?

Any tips?

ooh this is helping! I am going to go.... right after I have repotted the courgettes...

Right now? What keeps me going is this thought in my head: "do you want to get laid or not?!".

I keep entering races and for each I follow a programme which takes the thinking out of it. If I don't go and do what the programme says then I won't do the race in the time I want.

That said I have a multi sport race next weekend for which I am woefully under prepared.

If you don't get up early, maybe you aren't a morning exerciser?

Apparently preference for exercise times is innate - my life would be easier if I could run in the morning but I just can't get motivated to do it. So I go in the evening. Harder logistically, but meant that a run actually happens and not just wishful thinking.

Try another time of day.

Also if you are distracting yourself with tasks, stick something motivational on the fridge?

I hate running, even the paltry 5k I do. It's so boring, but as others have said, I feel better after I do it and I have something I'm working towards, a 12k cross country mud and obstacle course in 4 weeks. I'll have to sign myself up to something else to make myself go out again when that's over.

I compete with myself. Works for me as I'm so competitive so I look to improve on time/distance with each run

I failed this morning. I work backwards - I'll be home at _o'clock and then I can eat that cupcake/toast with chocolate spread, so I know I need to leave the house at _o'clock to be back in time to shower and eat and have lunch with the rest of the family. If I don't go on Saturday then I have to go on Sunday. A few basic rules and I go most weeks.
I also found a really nice and friendly group of people who meet up once a week to run together. I don't have to think about the route or the time or the distance.

Get all your running stuff out the night before - everything you need to wear, right down to your pants. Set the alarm, put the running stuff on, grab a glass of water and go....before you sit down to do anything else.

Enter a race so you have something to aim for and have to train.

Once you get into it you'll WANT to go. But you have to get beyond a certain point for that iyswim.

I've never regretted going for a run but I have regretted missing one...I just keep that in mind if I feel like not bothering.

I don't think about whether I want to go or not. I just go. I just get up, put the gear on and go. It's just a fact that I will go as part of my morning routine before work. If I stopped to give myself choice or reasoning I'd choose to sleep in, stare in to space and drink coffee. But I just accept that it's what I do as part of my routine and I'm not prepared to have put in so much effort to lose weight and get fit to let it all just go and then sit about feeling miserable that I'm fat and unfit. Mentally it completely keeps me sane and I start the day on a positive. As far as I'm concerned my day actually starts after the run.

I use a lot of techniques mentioned here (getting everything ready the night before etc.) but I've also set myself a yearly miles goal.

This year, I'm going to run 500 miles in a year. Works out at 42 miles a month, or around 9/10 miles a week. I write down every run distance on a spreadsheet (sad! ) and have a running total and countdown that helps motivate me to get out there. I don't want to get behind!

It's really satisfying to see the miles count down...

I enjoy running but there is no way on earth I'd be able to make myself get up early and go for a run. I can only run in the evening, I wait till the kids are in bed and then go out.

Maybe you need to work out which time of day you feel most motivated.

Find someone to run with. I have a. Running buddy and if I don't go I know she can't/won't.

I think about how much I enjoy it when I'm out, how damn hot I will soon look in lycra, how it makes me feel less hungry, and how fast I will be able to escape from zombies come the zombocalypse.

All good, valid,sensible reasons

Like brainwashed I always regret if I don't go. Three things work for me: 1. Putting my kit on when I get up 2. Planning my day around it (though I usually go after drop off) and 3. Telling myself if really reluctant that I'll just do 20 minutes or whatever. Once I'm out I usually enjoy it.

Burning calories also quite satisfying...

Do you prefer to run later in the day?

I love running and find it hard not to even when it's painful, injured or whatever. I wouldn't bother if I didn't enjoy it, I'd do some other exercise instead. NOT first thing in the morning though. I wake up with a massive hangover most days despite rarely drinking alcohol.

Why don't you start by going for a 10/20/30 minute walk in the mornings and progress to a run as you adjust?

Just make it part of your routine.

I agree that entering something is a great way to motivate yourself - then you have to get out

I read this book 'Run fat bitch run' by Ruth Field and it helped me a lot with motivation.. Good luck!

I have just done my first run in months and I feel amazing. I was feeling low lately and suddenly I remembered what an instant buzz running gives me and I just got up and went on my treadmill. It was hard but I am feeling high and happy.

I just need to remember this feeling on thurs when my next run is planned for.

I don't try to go early in the morning, I know I'd be setting myself up to fail. I go in the evening when DH gets home.

If I don't feel like going I only allow myself to think about the actual getting ready, getting changed, having a wee, setting the Garmin, rather than the actual running part. By the time I actually set off down the road I'm OK.

If I need to motivate myself to restart running after a long break I do the shallow thing and buy myself some new running wear, then I look forward to going out in it.

Build it into your routine
Enter something and plan a prize for yourself when you complete
Try a Park Run?
Run in the evening so you don't have the extra inertia of getting out of bed early? I prefer to avoid running first thing in the morning!
Find a nice route (footpaths not pavements)
Get an app like mapmyrun so you can see the miles/kilometers mounting up

Then come back here and tell us so we can praise you!

I've heard that because of circadian rhythms exercise / sports performance tends to be better mid afternoon.

It was mentioned here if anyone is interested

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b038c5qj

Strava strava strava !
Parkrun.
Book a race to scare you into training
Join a club / get a running buddy
Routine routine routine. I run on a Tuesday night.
Remember how good you will feel after
How crap you will feel if you don't bother.
When you get up put your running kit on. Amazing what an obstacle having to go and get ready can be.
Read Runners world / online articles about running
Picture yourself looking lean and healthy
Buy running kit you like to wear
Tell yourself you are going to do a short run. Once you are out you may feel differently.
Running is the best thing you can do for your mental health.