I have always enjoyed running, from a youngster I remember endless summers of running around with the other kids in my area. Throughout school I loved sports days and when I moved to senior school I started running for the county. My particular speciality was the 800m, 1500m and the third leg of the 4x100m relay, (I remember this specifically as this part of the “track” was uphill on the grassy bank).  Leaving school I stopped running, purely through being involved with other sports, swimming being one of the main ones. During the last few years of University, I remember seeing a group of ladies out jogging and thinking I wanted to try running again, I shortly after signed up to a Race for Life 5k run in Bath taking place in 2 months. I embarked on training, initially having to follow a self-devised run/walk programme; I didn’t run with a sports watch, specialist kit or trainers! I turned up looking like the most unlikely runner there ever was, but I was delighted to complete it in just over 24 minutes and since then I can say I haven’t looked back. I have completed numerous 5 and 10K, half-marathon and 4 marathons.

There is nothing like taking part in a race and it is the pinnacle of all the hard work and training that you put yourself through, the hours of dedication and emotional downs are forgotten in those moments. I love running, but even I have times when pushing myself to put my trainers on after a long day at work or on a wet and cold evening is a challenge to say the least. In my opinion everyone suffers from motivational dips, no matter what your athletic level, times when all you want to do is slump on the sofa, eat chocolate and drink wine. Sometimes indeed, this is what you should do! After all what good is training like a demon if you can’t kick back and enjoy yourself, over training can also leave you with very negative side effects and make you prone to injury, it is all about balance. Sometimes you need to take a break from events. I have really enjoyed the past few weeks of not actually having anything to aim for, to get back to basics and enjoy what I do, the feeling of freedom and deciding I want to run for me and no other purpose.  However, sometimes you do have to pull yourself out of that rut and that can be the million dollar question, “how can I motivate myself”. One of my most tried and tested tips is to say to yourself that you will go out and if you don’t feel good after 10 minutes, you will turn around and go home. 99.9% of the time, after 10 minutes, you are into the swing of it, the endorphins are in full flow and you want to keep going. I still think that after a day in the office, putting on some music and getting out into the fresh air is unbeatable and energising! It’s often a misnomer that exercise drains you of energy; in fact it has been proven that this is not the case. If you don’t believe me, I challenge you to run or take any form of exercise that floats your boat for a month and see if you still feel this way!

Another great ploy is to change your running routine, whether that’s a route (run it in reverse), if you are a gym runner, run outside (and the opposite if you are a road or trail runner), or run with a friend. Having someone to talk to can make the time pass in a flash and distract your mind from what the body is doing!! I used to be a purely solo runner, but now really enjoy the runs where I have company. If this fails then treat yourself to some new kit, or reward yourself that after (x target) you will get some new kit. I also find picking up an old copy of Runners World can be great motivation.

If this fails, then know after you have completed that run or exercise, that cookie you are about to demolish or glass of wine you are about to guzzle.. That’s “free calories” J  Now that always works for me!!