4th March-Keeping your running motivation

The past few weeks have been trying enough for me as a runner, heavy work commitments and lots of rain has made keeping to the plan challenging. With a few major runs around the corner, just this week Ive had a number of people ask me how I keep my motivation and keep training when it just doesn't seem as easy as it should.

Ive has my own frustrations over the past few week. The results have been ok with a good run at the Huskisson teams event and the week before at the Footpoint trail series, but yesterday although most would be happy with third, I really struggled and ran well below my best. I spent a lot of yesterday thinking about what I was doing better a few months ago and what I had to potentially change as I lead up to the Christchurch Marathon on the 3rd of June this year. I dont think any major changes are required just some re-adjustment to my current routing
- Good sleep and prep, so that Im ready to go first thing in the morning
- Re-checking my nutritional intake and possibly speaking with a sports nutritionist to make some small changes
- Ensuring that I utilise my wet weather running gear well so those rainy sessiona re more comfortable.
Ill re-visit this in the next few weeks to update you on any changes I made.

In the meantime some tips that runners who are struggling for motivation should consider.
- Make sure you have a good running jacket-Waterproof but light. Once you start running you will soon forget that its wet and you will have your session completed and feel much better about it.
- Get a plan www.runlab.com.au or create your own and stick to eat, record your key session times so you can compare how your going.
- Join a Runclub (2XU Paddington) or similar or fins a friend to do some of your runs with.
- Remember why your doing this, whats your goal? If your looking to complete the Half Marathon, it requires hard work now. The feeling will be so worth it but you only get out what you put into it.




In the meantime Check out this cool little link-Some simple but effective advice here.

http://www.coolinfographics.com/blog/2012/1/20/a-visual-guide-to-marathon-running.html