Mistake #4: Tell Yourself You're Only Running for Fitness
There's no doubt that the health and fitness benefits of running are by far the biggest payoff, but those benefits can be slow to come and hard to recognize on a day-to-day basis. Sometimes we all need something a little more tangible to motivate us.
Try This: Register for a Race or Set Another Specific Goal
Having an event to train for can really motivate you to stick with your running program. Be sure to register for an event that is several months away, in order to give yourself enough time to slowly build your endurance. It's also probably a good idea that your goal for that first race be simply to finish—disregarding your time and pace.
If competition isn't your thing, then set another goal—like running a certain number of cumulative days per month or minutes per week. In any case, you can boost your motivation even more by telling all of your friends about your event or goal, and posting regular updates on your training progress. Then enjoy the boost you get when they offer up encouragement and praise for your efforts.
Mistake #5: Always Run By Yourself
One of the great things about running is the flexibility it offers. You can run almost any time and anywhere, by yourself, with a friend, or with tens of thousands of other runners. But even if you're an introvert who enjoys the alone time you get while running, doing so all the time might not be the best way to stick with a running program. When it's just you and your shoes, it can be easy to put off a run or skip a day altogether. When life gets busy, one day becomes two, two becomes four, and pretty soon you're losing those fitness gains you worked so hard to get.
Try This: Find a Running Buddy
Connecting with another person or group of people is one of the best ways to keep getting out there. Even if you can only run together once a month, having someone to check in with or report back to on a regular basis holds you accountable. For those more socially inclined, running with a friend or a group that are at your same fitness level can turn your workouts into social occasions.
A huge benefit of running is the sense of belonging it engenders. By running with a friend or a group, or participating in races, you begin to self-identify as a "runner" more and more each day. This mental transformation is hugely motivational, and once you feel it, you can be sure that a physical transformation won't be far behind.
With so many great physical and mental benefits, it's easy to see why millions of people across the globe are hooked on running. By avoiding these common pitfalls and following the tips above, you'll be able to count yourself among them for years to come.
READ THIS NEXT: 7 Common Running Feats (and How to Conquer Them)
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