How I trick myself into running

by Kim on May 21, 2013

I did NOT want to run last night.

I’d planned another evening run to prep for this weekend’s Twilight 10K, but by 4 PM, I was already getting tired. At 8 PM, the weather was absolutely perfect, but my mindset was not. I was exhausted, my stomach didn’t feel great, and the process of getting myself out the door for a run just felt so monumental.

The run was supposed to be an 8-miler, but by the time I actually left, I’d bargained myself down to 3. I told myself I’d try to get the 8 in tomorrow instead.

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The funny thing is that I like running—generally. When the conditions are perfect (I’m not too hot/cold/tired/hungry/full), it can be so refreshing, soothing, and even easy.

But I also have an extremely comfortable couch and a very convincing internal justification dialogue. And, let’s face it, the conditions are rarely perfect.

Over the years, I’ve had to use a lot of mind tricks to get myself out the door to run. Once I’m out the door, I’m almost always fine—and even if I’m not, I never regret trying.

Here’s a list of some of the things that have worked for me…

trick yourself

1. Tell yourself: “Just 15 minutes, and if it sucks, you can quit.” Don’t get stuck in the “I have to go 5 miles or it doesn’t count” mentality.

2. Vary your means. Once, I made it through what felt like a daunting 10-mile run by doing 5 miles outside and 5 on the treadmill. For some reason, it seemed easier. You can also make long runs feel less intimidating by doing multiple short out-and-backs, rather than one long one. This way, if you get tired, you’re never that far away from home base. (That’s what you tell yourself anyway…)

3. Visualize how you’ll feel when you get back. Picture what you’ll do, in detail. Think about how proud of yourself you’ll be and how much more deserved your post-run leisurely activities will feel.

4. Go somewhere beautiful. Drive to a park or conservatory. Google trails in your area. Run along a lake (or, if it’s accessible—you lucky dog, you—a beach).

5. Make it a means to an end. Run to get somewhere, rather than just running to run. (What a novel concept! Haha.) One time, I planned my running route to go past the movie rental store, where I picked up a new release to watch when I got home. It was somehow easier, knowing I just had to get there and back, versus completing a certain mileage.

6. Run public. Run along a busy road or hop on a treadmill at the gym. The peer pressure of thinking that people are watching you will egg you on.

7. Give yourself an unlimited walking pass. If you end up just going for a walk, oh well. At least you got out the door. But the chances that you’ll want to pick up the pace just to finish earlier (now that you’re out!) or that you’ll start feeling up for a run once you get going are pretty good.

8. Don’t overthink it. Just go. By the time you get done considering it, wallowing in your misery over the idea, slowly pulling our your running clothes, stalling with more stretching than necessary, and finally heading for the door, you probably could have already gone and come back. Plus, the more time you spend thinking about it, the greater the chance is that something could come up that prevents you from going. (Like, say, bedtime. Ha.)

9. Think of your body like a dog. (Stay with me…) Your body craves exercise and movement even when your brain is lazy and wants you to lay on the couch. So take your body out for a run the way you’d grudgingly take your dog for a walk even if you didn’t feel like it. It just has to be done.

10. Get fresh electronic entertainment. Download a new podcast, put new music on your playlist, rent a movie (if you have a TV/treadmill setup), etc. Find something you’ll be excited about, and reserve it for runs only.

11. Make yourself feel obligated. Get in your own face by setting reminders on your phone, including a “get ready to run!” reminder half an hour before you want to be out the door. Tell someone you’re planning on running later. Tweet about your upcoming run half an hour before you plan to leave.

Bonus: Bribe yourself. Nothing wrong with a little post-run congratulatory treat. (Ideally, not always food….)

In the end, I did make it out last night, and it wasn’t bad at all. I took advantage of #10 and popped a fresh Jillian podcast onto my iPod, and it was actually pretty entertaining. (Except for the parts when she’s awkwardly bantering with Janice—I can barely stand those.)

As expected, the movement woke me right up, and my stomach even calmed down. I came home still a little bummed about the 8-miler, but grateful that at least I got out and did something.

What tricks do you use to get yourself moving?

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Would you believe that I’d never been to a Costco in my life until last week?

I’ve always been a little afraid of it, since I’ve heard that you have to part with at least $100 just to exit the place. But they do sell some mean produce.

We got in under a friend’s membership, and our boys got to share a ride.

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This is also the first double cart I’ve ever seen in my life. Do Costco families just have more kids, or is it assumed that they’re constantly sneaking in their non-member friends with kids?

Here’s another first: on Saturday, Mase and I headed to the Farmer’s Market for the first time this summer.

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It was a little cooler and overcast—perfect weather for shuffling along in massive crowds and clustering around sample tables.

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Mason could barely contain his excitement.

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I took a huge risk bringing him along, knowing that he’d either have to miss his morning nap or go down really late. (In a perfect world, he’d just fall asleep in the stroller..…LOL!!!)

20130518_085610Mini gangsta.

About an hour in, he let me know that he was not interested in sitting in his stroller for a millisecond longer, so I was forced to let him roam the streets while my friend Kyla went on a Starbucks run for us.

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Throughout the morning, I felt like I was too distracted managing little M to actually pay attention to what we were seeing, but I did manage to make two important purchases:

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Stella’s hot & spicy cheese bread (a local star and Brent’s fav) and orange chocolate chip bread (which I’d been specifically looking for—amazing!). I’m a little embarrassed that I came home from a farmer’s market without anything homegrown…or remotely healthy, for that matter…

Better luck next time.

I also might ditch the stroller next time—what a hassle! It was so much easier last year, when Mason slept in the Baby Bjorn the entire time.

Anyway. When we got home, Mase went straight to bed, and I headed outside to tackle some yard work. In case you were wondering, here’s how a Type A personality approaches landscaping tasks:

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Complete with time estimates on the weeding (which were way, way off).

By the end of the weekend, I’d made it through 90% of the list, and—I never thought I’d be able to say this—I’m proud to report that there are, at this moment, ZERO weeds in our yard.

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I wish I’d taken a Before picture of this spot—it was literally COVERED in grass, to the point where you could barely see the rock at all.

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I call this his Steve Irwin outfit.

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Saturday afternoon, we headed to a friend’s graduation party, where our darling son grabbed someone’s plate of food off a table and flung it across the room. He’s so cute.

Later, right around the time my upcoming 10K will begin (8 PM), I went out for a speedy 3-mile run with my hot new kicks.

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It was one of those runs where I pushed so hard, it took awhile for the nausea to subside once I got home.

We capped off the day by watching Boiler Room, as part of our new Think-of-a-Random-Old-Movie-and-Rewatch-It kick. (Although in this case, I was seeing it for the first time.) I think it was good… (I could barely keep my eyes open.)

On Sunday, I slept in (thanks to my wonderful husband) before heading outside for more intensive yard work. Later, I prepped a meal for us to take to some friends who’d just had a new baby.

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Tomato basil quinoa cups, energy bites, and fruit—plus Fitnessista’s goat cheese/spinach/sundried tomato stuffed chicken, which is unpictured because I’d already packed it.

Baby Cordelia was perfect, and so, SO unbelievably tiny. I couldn’t even fathom Mason ever being that small. (Although, technically, he wasn’t…Cordy was just over 7 lbs. and Mason was a strapping 8 lb. 15 oz. at birth. I finally understand why all the nurses were so shocked by his size.)

As weekends go, this one was pretty solid. But I’m already looking forward to the next one…3 days with Brent home, and we have some Memorial Day fun with friends in the books. Can’t wait!

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A couple of running firsts

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I hate to risk boring you to tears by talking about the weather, but when you live in the Midwest, spring is a BIG. DEAL. It was a beautiful weekend here—low 70’s and partly sunny (aka the best running weather you can ask for). Every year, I’m startled by how early these things bloom: The [...]

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May initiatives

May 3, 2013

My energy levels have been waaay down lately. Here’s my Excuse List: –I’m still getting over a cold. –Mason randomly changed his morning wake-up time from 7 AM to 6 AM. (I can’t figure out why. Weather? Growth spurt? Joke on me??) –I’ve been a little too coffee-happy lately. I just discovered this new kind [...]

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