It’s a question I get all the time: “How do you make yourself run?” Honestly, I find it just as tough as anyone else. When you’re juggling a five-day workweek, rushing to get the kids to school on time, making sure their lunches and homework are all set in their backpacks—then you come home and whip up dinner, just to do it all over again the next day. By the end of the day, I’m wiped out and really struggle to drag myself out of bed early the next day to hit my running and exercise goals.
This sound like failure, right? Yep, I have plenty of days where getting up and sticking to a solid routine feels impossible. I’m not some elite runner with endorsements or anything, so I just have to juggle it all and squeeze in my workouts wherever I can. But hey, I’ve got a few little tricks I use to “trick” my brain into actually doing it anyway.
1. Plan A Race:
This is totally my favorite thing ever! Honestly, I might even like this more than the running itself! First off, you gotta pick a really cool theme or spot that’s fun to visit. There are awesome bubble runs, color runs, wine runs, or even ones themed around Star Trek. And you can’t go wrong with a great location like Hawaii, Huntington Beach, or even Alaska. There’s literally something out there for everyone! Plus, with all this AI help nowadays, you can whip up a simple training plan super quick. It gives you something to aim for and gives you a timeline to make it happen!
2. Find A Partner In Crime:
Exercising solo can be a real struggle. Why not find a buddy who’s also finding it tough and could use some support? You could join a local running group, hit up a gym nearby, or even drag your family to the park while you jog around. When you’ve got someone waiting for you, it’s way harder to just hit snooze and think, “I’ll do it tomorrow.” Who knows, you might end up becoming best buds and tackling a race together!
3. Reward Yourself:
How do you get a donkey to do what you want? Just dangle a carrot in front of him! Seriously, it actually works! Why not set up some fun little rewards for yourself too? Think about treating yourself to a massage, a pedicure, that adorable new running outfit you’ve been eyeing, or just a chill afternoon grabbing coffee with friends. It can be something small, like rewarding yourself for hitting that weekly running goal, or go big with a monthly treat. Just keep it close enough to be motivating! Personally, I’m all about that massage life!
4. Go Solo:
I know I mentioned finding a partner, but honestly, spending some time with yourself is super important too. Download a great audiobook, or just lose yourself in your thoughts while you’re out on a trail. Think about your next big adventure! There’s a ton you can figure out in your head when you just embrace a little quiet or jam out to some good tunes. It’s also a perfect time to push yourself a bit — see what you can do without anyone else around stressing you out. Feeling tired? Just walk it out. If you’re pumped, go ahead and speed up! You’re the boss here.
5. Don’t Give Up:
This is probably the most crucial tip. It’s super easy to skip a workout because you or someone close to you catches a bug. Work can get rough and drag on, leading to those long, tiring days. And let’s not even get started on the weather—sometimes it just doesn’t cooperate, making it feel like a total chore (or even risky) to hit the pavement. It’s tempting to just throw in the towel and give up. Trust me, I’ve been there. Heck, I’m feeling it now. But here’s the deal: once you put on those shoes and step outside, it’s actually pretty easy. The tough part is just getting to that point. So, go do something—anything! Whether it’s walking a mile, just a block, or tackling that running goal of yours, you’ll feel a whole lot better afterward. And guess what? Tomorrow will be even easier. You’ve got this! Just remember, you’re not alone in this; we all hit those motivation bumps sometimes, but the true “winners” are the ones who keep pushing through anyway.
