Making Running Motivation More Than an Idea
Photo provided by LaDrica Derrico
by LaDrica Derrico, Contributor
In running, as with fitness in general, we talk about the idea of motivation all the time. So much so, that sometimes it feels like only that--an idea. Once that new-shoe smell wears off, the new workout clothes get worn in and your playlists all start to blend together, your runs and workouts can begin to lose their luster. Whether you’ve If you mix in a low drive triggered by all of our other life obstacles and excuses, your drive to get out there can fall dangerously low.
So then, how do you move beyond the idea of being motivated to actually put it into action?
Look back at it.
The first step to renewed commitment is to revisit why you committed to your running journey in the first place. Another definition of motivation is your reason. Look back at where you started and how far you’ve come. The next time you feel yourself in a rut, pull out that journal to write down some things you’ve accomplished so far. Make sure you’re celebrating the wins, both small and large. Perspective can be extremely motivational.
Visualize where you want to be.
Photo provided by LaDrica Derrico
It sounds cliché, but sometimes we need to get out of our heads and put things into action. Jot down a few micro-goals to which you can look forward on the path towards your greater goal. Give yourself targets, establish new milestones and set up friendly competitions with yourself that will make you strive towards a greater sense of accomplishment.
And of course, it’s okay to reward yourself for those milestones, after all you DESERVE it! Why? Because you left those excuses in the dust, you were not hard on yourself when you fell short, and you got back up to finish. We are human. And the beauty of the human spirit is the tenacity that we all have inside of us.
Get accountable.
My biggest source of motivation as a trainer is accountability from those who look to me for guidance. I know that others look to me for direction and a push, so it moves me to stay committed as well.
I also can’t stress enough the importance of having a support system. Having someone to cheer you on, whether in person or online, can make a huge difference. Trust me, I’ve been on motivational “E” more times than I care to admit. In those times, we all need a gentle but stern voice of reason to remind us how strong we are. I trust those people to pour into me when I run out of gas.
Remember, we’ve all been there. Life happens and we sometimes get thrown off track for one reason or another. The real question is, ‘How will you stay active in that place of motivation you had at the start?’
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Follow LaDrica’s running and fitness journey on Instagram.
LaDrica Derrico
Contributor
LaDrica is a personal trainer with her own fitness company, Fit2Win Lifestyles. She also works as a senior associate in corporate strategy for a Fortune 100 tech and entertainment company. A former athlete majoring in Finance at Georgia State University, she competed in the 400M and 4x400M before going on to get her MBA at the University of Georgia. LaDrica enjoys running 5Ks and 10Ks for training and for fun. LaDrica is from Atlanta but currently resides in Dallas and is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.