MOTIVATION FOR RUNNERS

I️ am currently a senior, and my final high school cross country season has finished. I️ never won a cross country race. I️ never PRed this season. I️ never accomplished many of my goals that I️ had been dreaming about since freshman year.

I️ have worked hard consistently since then. I️ have put in the miles day in and day out. I️ have pushed myself in countless workouts. I️ have felt like running has given me the world. I️ have smiled my way through long runs that felt more like floating.

I️ have cried. I️ have felt like this sport has given me nothing in return. I️ have wondered why I️ put so much effort into something that rarely seems to give me results.

But that’s just how it goes. You wake up each morning and you decide to be committed to something and you don’t know if you will get anything out of it. But you do it anyway. You drag yourself out of bed, despite feeling exhausted. You lace up your shoes and walk out the door. You run. You find freedom with every step. You learn that running is not about your best 5k time, or how fast you can run mile repeats. It is about the sheer exhaustion, the utter exhilaration, the simple thrill. It is what you make of it.

1. You’re more resilient than you think. Trust the process, trust the experts, trust yourself. You are going to get there.

2. Cancel the pity party. It’s time to take ownership of every aspect of your life.

3. Little choices matter more for you than for most people. Be sure to make the right ones.

4. If you don’t eat, you won’t run well. It’s very simple.

5. Sleep is important. Socializing is important. Balance is important. Being honest with yourself is extremely important.

6. Embrace growth and change, and be gentle with yourself along the way. You are moving mountains that have been on the horizon for as long as you can remember. No one said it would be easy, only that it had to be done.

Sometimes I forget how important your mindset is when it comes to running.

When you’re on that starting line, you’re not thinking of the “extra 2 cookies you ate a couple nights ago”, or worrying about the fact that you “didn’t get enough sleep 3 days back.” You’re thinking about what is AHEAD of you, and the things that have prepared you for this race.

One person in the race could be the fastest or the most talented, but if they believe that dessert or lack of adequate sleep is going to make them lose, the next best person with the belief that they WILL be the best is going to succeed. Your body does what your mind tells it to.

For me, racing is all mental. I don’t look around and compare myself to others because, well, everyone is so different. Go out there and trust in yourself, give it everything you have and don’t think about insignificant “mistakes” you made that messed up a “perfect” training regimen.

Your runs don’t have to be fast to be helpful.

Stringing together a bunch of medium-paced average runs is more effective than going all out a few times a week (only to be too tired/sore to run that pace again), especially when you’re focusing on increasing your mileage.

If you’re able to choose between sleep and running, do your run later and get more sleep. It’s not hardcore to skip sleep, it’s unproductive. Your body needs it to absorb the training.

Don’t do AB workouts, do CORE workouts. Ab = abdominals only. Core = abdominals, obliques, glutes, pelvis, lower back. Purpose of working out just your abs = vanity. Purpose of working out your entire core = getting functionally strong to run faster. 

Do runs on grass and trails for the soft surfaces (and because in the winter you’ll miss the color green, believe me), but don’t worry about your pace. The terrain will naturally slow you down, but it will also force you to work different muscles which will strengthen your core WHILE YOU RUN (why core? see above).

Don’t just hydrate with water. Replace the electrolytes you lose when you sweat with gatorade or powerade, or if that’s too sweet for you, dilute it with water or invest in Nuun or Skratch or a similar product.