there are always times during marathon training, and running in general, where i just start to get tired and struggle to get out the door. having been through this a few times now, i can recognize when this is happening to me and have come up with a few tricks to help me get out the door.
i noticed this happening big time last week. i didn’t want to go do my runs, i wasn’t looking forward to anywhere i was going, and i was just plain tired. i am not one to skip workouts really, but i do struggle through them and getting started on them every so often, so anything that makes that easier i am game for.
i used a bunch of my motivation/get out the door tricks in the last week or two and they have definitely helped me!
so what are they?
go backwards
if you are a loop runner, run your loop backwards. it makes it seem like a completely different run! sometimes i will throw in different beginning or endings to my loops, but usually running them backwards really helps break up the monotony. your mile markers are different and you see different things going the opposite way.
change of scenery
i have been doing a majority of my runs after work lately on the same trails and running the exact same first couple miles. every. single. day. this can get really boring and monotonous, but i do like my routine and it saves time in my evening. i decided last week that i would give up an extra 15-30 minutes one night a week to drive somewhere to run on a different trail for some new scenery, especially since there is extra daylight now. it REALLY helps to have somewhere new to run and the miles tend to fly by.
meet your friends
even if you are running on the same routes day in and day out, when you are running with your friends, you hardly notice. it helps to chat through runs and makes them fly by. plus i know i won’t bail when i have people to meet, so it’s always motivation to get out the door.
go exploring
tara and i have a tendency to find random detours on our runs together and we like to go explore to see where they go. this is fun, especially when i am not doing it alone (or getting lost by myself), and it usually adds on some distance to your run when you aren’t really expecting it. sometimes it leads to great new routes, sometimes it leads to nothing, but its always fun in my opinion.
time of day
change up your routine and run the opposite time of day that you usually run. if you run in the morning, run in the evening one night. if you run in the evening, try running in the morning one day. typically for me it’s a whole different world when you are watching the sun come up when you are used to watching it go down.
bring a pup
if you have dogs, take them with you! the best part about pups is they are ALWAYS excited to go for a run. they don’t care when, where, how long, or why, they just want to go. whenever i am lacking some motivation i just work my run around the girls and take them out. it always gives me a different outlook being out running with them.
what are some tricks you use to help get yourself out
the door when your motivation is fading?
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tonight i used a couple of my tricks and i ran from home (where i haven’t been running) AND brought my pups! the girls have been a little neglected in the running department lately, so i really wanted to take them. they were both great and definitely helped break up my run. thanks kylie and emma 
8.0 miles/1:14:15/9:16 avg pace
Nice tricks – it's so easy to get stuck in a routine and not really enjoy running just for running itself!
Question for you:
Do you have an opinion on 'Long slow distance makes long slow runners'? Your marathon training rounds have been so successful. Have you found it better to take your long runs slower than marathon pace – or training with your long runs as more similar to race simulations?
Must be the marathon training madness making me second guess everything!
You already listed all my tricks except for one:
1. Meet up with friends (you.)
2. Borrow one of your pups.
3. Katy's Kreek.
Totally wonderful advice. I'm a great believer in the backwards run – it is amazing what a difference it makes! I borrow a dog as well from time to time – it distracts, definitely.
Thanks for your LOVELY comment on my blog. What a star you are. Thank you. Kiss!
I love these tricks! I needed some new ones bad.. I am going through one of thoe moments you are mentioning… Thanks for the motivation!
I don't normally have a problem getting out the door due to normal motivation issues. just on bad weatehr days
I want to run with my doggies soon.
I like your tricks and have definitely used most of them… just not the pups since I don't have any.
Great tricks! In addition to those, I typically switch up my iPod playlist or give myself some sort of incentive/reward for running.
I'm glad to know it's not just a "newbie" runner thing and that more experienced runners have those days too! I'm a big fan of running my loops backwards and switching up the music on my iPod. I don't have a running partner yet, but I think I would really benefit from having one!
Great tricks. I definitely get stuck in ruts of running the same routes, so it always helps to mix things up a bit.
Thank you for the tips! I've been have a motivation issue to get out of bed lately.
My tricks include:
-New routes. I'm constantly using mapmyrun.com to get creative
-Taking someone (friend, husband) along for at least half of a long run. We'll park a car half way and they'll go out 9-10 with me and I'll run home alone. It helps.
Another trick – don't know if you saw the article in RW this month about meditation and running. Soemtimes I'll run w/out music and just focus on my breathing and the sound of my feet.
Great ideas girly! I am right there with you though on being tired of the same routes. I love to run, but it can be daunting when it's the same thing all the time! I need to get me a running dog! LOL!
I like to drive to a swanky neighborhood for a run once in a while. It's nice to imagine living there some day and the architecture on these older estates is amazing! Two bonuses: 1) Mature trees in these prominent neighborhoods provide maximum shade on hot days and 2) fancy neighborhoods make me feel safer on my runs.
Gosh, you are so right about doing a loop backwards. For some reason that seems to make all of the difference. Although, it does seem harder at first, I usually notice all sorts of things that I never realized were there!
i tell myself to give it a mile and it it's really not in me, i can head home. but i never end up heading home.
you've put in so many miles it's no suprise you're feeling like this lately. probably a good thing you're in taper…don't want to get burned out!
I am usually pretty good but if I start to waiver, I tend to try to rationalize out to my hubs..who then pushes me out the door.
- I will have It Tricky by RunDMC in my head all day b/c of this post.
I call my running partner. She alwyas pushes me
I really wish I could bring my pup with me. He's a big goofy lab with tons of energy, but he SUCKS on the leash. It takes so much effort to keep him walking right with me that I'm pretty sure I couldn't even focus on the run. So lucky you can run with yours. Maybe I should start small with him and see if we can figure it out!
I love the backwards run. There is a loop that I run near my house that is totally different going backwards; the steep downhill becomes a steep uphill and the long, slight uphill becomes a fun slight downhill. Good tricks! I wish my little dog could go on runs with me, but I don't think her short little legs could handle it!
A trick that I use is just to tell myself that I will go 2 or 3 miles and if I'm not feeling it for some reason, I can go home. Or, I just start running in one direction and then I HAVE to get more miles in by running home.
I love the backwards run. There is a loop that I run near my house that is totally different going backwards; the steep downhill becomes a steep uphill and the long, slight uphill becomes a fun slight downhill. Good tricks! I wish my little dog could go on runs with me, but I don't think her short little legs could handle it!
A trick that I use is just to tell myself that I will go 2 or 3 miles and if I'm not feeling it for some reason, I can go home. Or, I just start running in one direction and then I HAVE to get more miles in by running home.
These are great ideas, Aron! I love the idea of going exploring! There are so many things you can do to change things up a bit!
great tips! i also reverse routs, find new routes, and use new music.
I just force myself out the door, give myself 3 miles to find a rhythm and usually I find my running legs. If not, I turn around and call it a day.
I reward myself with candy after!
is anyone surprised. 
I love the idea of pups but I don't have one!
sometimes I make b ride his bike with me. ha ha
Great tips! I barter with myself. Give myself 1-2 miles and if I still don't have it allow myself to go home. Rewards and food also work
I love all your stories about running with your pups – I can't wait until my little guy is old enough to start running with me!!
Yes, meeting friends is my favorite. Well, except running with Boomer OF COURSE! LOL
Where is that "change of scenery" trail?
I tried the change of scenery thing last week and it gave me the kick in the pants I needed!
Those are all great tricks!
LOVE these ideas!!
a lot of the time all I need to do is get out the door and I'm off! with the beautiful sun coming out for spring time I find it hard to stop myself from running!
my ideas are to write down your miles and splits…it's so motivating to look back at past workouts…or buying a new song on itunes! i love running to some poppin' beats!
good luck with the marathon trainning you are such an awesome runner!!
~xoxo!
Hi Aron!
I hope your taper is going well! Those are all great tips, I especially love running with funs, I also like the idea of a route backwards. I'll have to do that next time!
I love changing my playlist, but recently I've noticed my running is better without my music so hmm…I love meeting up with people – hence, why I contact one of you on Thursday when I'd rather sit down with a beer. HA. I definitely look forward to doing something afterwards or go right when I wake up before i realize what I am doing haha (that's on weekends).
I almost love the monotony of my route. I vary the direction of the loop, but I really like the familiarity.
tricks indeed. mine go to one is finding someone to run with, then i HAVE to do it. also knowing my dog needs a run helps, i feel guilty if i leave him hanging
thanks for posting these!
Great tips! I am needing them about now.
Its hard for me to run my routes opposite cause usually theres a reason I like to run a certain way (ie hills! lol). I also try running to places and then having someone pick me up, that has to be my favorite!
This is such a timely post for me. I'm going through a post marathon mental funk these days. I'm going to go for the change in scenery thing starting this weekend. I'll be lacing up my trail shoes….
Exploring is my favorite. Just yesterday I was doing a slow recovery run (my least favorite – why do they always have to DRAG on forever?) and I just decided to go down a totally random road. It was kinda fun because there were some beautiful houses on the water. Definitely need to do that more often!
My mental tricks are really creepy, so be aware:) During tough runs (like in high temps) I tell myself superstitious things such as "If you slow down, you are going to have a bad race" and even though I am not superstitious and don;t believe in any of it, somehow I get stubborn and push through. Always works:)
Great tips! I'm at that point in training – most days I still love running, but every now and then it feels like a chore. And since lik e you, I've got a race coming up, I certainly can't skip.
)
But I drag myself out there and end up enjoying it and glad I went after all.
Wish I had a cute pup like that to run with though.
Good tips!
Nice tips/tricks. Shaking it up is important.
Some people have told me that when you lose motivation for your runs during your taper, that's when you know you've been training right.
Great tips! When my motivation is fading, I will do a bunch of little runs on different routes that add up to the planned mileage. For example, I might run a mile barefoot, then run 3 on grass, 3 on pavement and 3 more on trails. Before you know it, that is 10 miles done =)
Great post!
Nice suggestions to bust out of running boredom. I use a bunch of those! Although my dogs are too old to go on runs of any distance with me so I just take them after the run and we just do a little cool down together.
I like your tricks! The different times of day thing has been working for me lately, as I reach marathon training burnout.