Motivation

I run with music about 50% of the time, the other half I spend sorting out my thoughts. I have learned two things about motivation:

1) I need to focus on something. When I have been focused on an upcoming race, I run the miles. When I don't have a race upcoming (most of December), my motivation to get out and run is much lower. When racing, I am usually struggling to beat the time cutoffs and not finish last. But the motivation of working towards something keeps me running.

2) Outdoor running is better for motivation. I do loops or out-and-backs. Some days, around mile one or two, my legs feel dead. If I am two miles from the car (and training for a race), it is easier to keep going. And, by the finish I usually feel better. But on a treadmill, it is too easy to hit pause/stop and get off.

Saturday is a great example of this. When I run on treadmills, I feel discomfort in my legs and knees. It is boring! But most importantly, it is also hard to stay motivated.

Finally, I am a klutz. The fact is, I can let my mind wander on a running path without problems. But on a treadmill, letting my mind wander is sure recipe for a fall! I have stepped off the side and/or fallen of the back of a treadmill. . . Sometimes, letting my mind wander is a tool to purge myself of de-motivating thoughts. I cannot do this on a treadmill but am learning how to do this in outside running (see this post where I talk about changing focus to stride to get my mind off cold and discomfort!)