How do I keep myself motivated to run?

How do I keep myself motivated ? To keep grinding everyday. It basically comes down to goals - visualise them and break it down to make achieving them easier.

When it comes to any of the three Running, Yoga or Strength training, I keep myself motivated by continuously challenging my own self and pushing my limits - for it is only those that push their limits that truly are able to explore what those limits are - and more often than not we often realise that the limits we set for ourselves are those that we have subconsciously chosen - trust me when I say this - there is nothing that you cannot do - it is only when you stop believing in yourself that you fail!

There has to be a method to the madness - Visualise your goals and break them down. My major motivations for running are:

1. Being jury-free - for if I am injured I cannot run

2. Performance - read speed, improve timing - Periodisation & speed work is key for this - but again they need to be sprinkled in when required and ONLY when required

3. Aerobic Conditioning - Because that happens with time - and my dear friend, there is nothing that you can do to beat the glory of experience - so patience is key to building yourself as a person who can run for the rest of your life.

4. Distance - But off-course - this is completely dependant on how much time and energy I have to spare towards my goal.

5. Terrain - Every terrain has its own challenges, not to forget its own list of equipment requirements, so it is a great way to keep things interesting.

Being Injury-free is a constant goal of mine. To this, I add one more as a major focus for myself for the year. Once this is sorted, I can keep sprinkling in the other 3 as and when required.

I also use the following material aids to help me stay on track:

1. Invest in good shoes: When you see those new shoes staring at you, shoes you have paid good money for - it is only natural that you would want to do justice to the investment. And you do need a new pair or two ( depending on the mileage that you put in) each season - you need to get a new pair every 500-600kms - it is imperative to ensure you are able to run injury-free.

2. Invest in good apparel : Because comfort is key - the more comfortable you make your journey, you will be able to focus on the content of what you are doing instead of distractions. For one season you need at least 3 pairs of good sports bras, t-shirts, shorts and socks - so you can keep cycling them. Please keep upgrading your clothes because with wear they kind of become useless.

3. Events - Events are a great way to keep the focus on my training plan - in a way help create a cycle - however, I would like to clarify that events are not my goal - they help keep me on track for my bigger goals which are running injury free

4. Travel - I love exploring new places on foot - gives me a break from the boredom of the same route day in and day out and even makes the process challenging. It adds so many more elements of adventure like planning and organising - the route, nutrition, hydration, apparel - its a lot of fun ( for me!)

5. Discipline: Yes, motivation lasts for so long - think discipline - until you are able to say yes to the things that help reach your goal and no to those that do not - no amount of motivation is going to get you there. Ensuring that you get your quota of sleep, recovery - accomplishing all those things that are on your daily agenda - it is only through daily, consistent efforts that you are able to achieve big changes over time.

6. Finally, just enjoying the process. I really am not the kind of person who can be forced into doing anything. If I don’t enjoy it - i won’t do it - period. Over a period of time, I have truly embraced the loneliness of a long distance runner - Because it is not so lonely really - you have yourself for company the entire time - in addition, I have ever so often found so many companions - in the form of other runner, dogs - lots of dogs who have adopted me and showered me with love and loyalty. So, get yourselves a buddy or even better, a coach who makes the process enjoyable. We are social creatures and sharing comes naturally to us - so get some friends who are part of your journey - that makes it a lot more enjoyable.

These are my motivations. Do you relate to them? Do share with me your motivations that may differ from the ones I have listed - I'm always open to increasing my list - cos, lets be honest, we could always do with a little bit more motivation.