RunPackGuides · 5 min read
Running motivation: practical ways to keep going
Practical running motivation that lasts: smaller goals, a fixed routine, new routes, tracking what you’ve done, and running with people who expect you.
Motivation comes and goes for everyone. The runners who keep going rarely rely on feeling motivated; they set things up so running happens anyway. Here are the ideas that help most.
Make the goal smaller
“Get fit” is too vague to get you out of the door. “Run three times this week” or “run 5K without stopping by spring” is something you can act on today. More in running goal ideas.
Decide in advance
Choose your run days and times at the start of the week. When the moment comes, there’s nothing to decide; you just go.
Lower the bar on bad days
Tell yourself you only have to run for ten minutes. If you still want to stop after ten, stop. Most days you won’t.
Change something
- A new route or a new park.
- A different time of day.
- A different kind of run: hills, an easy long run, a run to somewhere for breakfast.
See your progress
Looking back at a month of runs is motivating in itself. Keep a log, whether that’s an app, a calendar or a notebook.
Bring other people in
This is the big one. It’s much easier to skip a run when nobody notices. A running buddy, a crew or a club adds people who expect you, and people to cheer when you’ve been out. See running accountability partners and finding a running crew.
How RunPack helps
RunPack shows your crew’s runs in one private feed, so you see friends getting out and they see you. Streaks and a weekly recap keep track of what you’ve done. Free for crews of up to 4, on iPhone. See how a crew works.