How many times have you planned a run, only to put it off for another day? Perhaps work stole your mojo? Maybe chores drained your get-up-and-go? Well, you don’t have to put your running dreams on hold.

Follow these seven tips to put the spring back in your step!

1. 1. Get Your Kit On – Even when running feels like the last thing on your mind, just pull on your kit and you’ll immediately feel more inclined to get out. When I was training for my first marathon, I was running up to five times a week. To keep me fired up day after day, I’d often change into my running kit at work before my homeward commute. This meant I was ready to train from the moment I got back. Just getting into my kit prepared me both practically and mentally.
   2. Get It Over With – How often have you arrived home after a day’s work and told yourself you’ll have a short rest before your run? The light begins to fade, time ticks on and that run just seems less and less appealing. Well, the sooner you get going, the sooner you’ll be done. Tick your run off early and you’ll have all evening left to relax in post-run satisfaction.
   3. Be Accountable – Tell others what you’re doing, so they can hold you to account. Share your goals with friends and family. They’re bound to ask how training is going. Maybe you have other friends who run. Compare notes on the sessions you’ve got planned. Once you’ve told someone what you’re doing, you’ll want to live up to your word.
   4. Set Long-term Goals – Give yourself something to work towards. Try signing up for an event or setting yourself a target distance. In my case, I signed up for my first half-marathon to give me the motivation to get out and exercise regularly. It worked. In just nine months, I morphed from exercise-refuser to endurance runner. Establishing an objective will give you direction.
   5. Enjoy Short-term Wins – Although long-term goals give you something to strive for, the pay-off requires patience. Line-up smaller achievements along the way by setting more immediate goals. For example, aim to complete a familiar route a little faster than before. Or make a point of celebrating significant steps in your training – such as a record high mileage.
   6. Visualise Success – Imagine the satisfaction you’ll feel post-run. Or picture how triumphant you’ll be when you achieve your goal. Let those images inspire you to get out. Then you’ll be one step closer to experiencing them for real.
   7. Stay Positive – Let’s face it. If you don’t enjoy something, you won’t want to do it. So, keep your running fresh and fun. When a route gets boring, discover a new one. If you get lonely on your runs, find a training buddy or join a running club. Keep the feel-good factor alive and exercise will never feel like a chore.

Next time your running-mojo needs a boost, give one of these tips a go. You may wonder how you ever turned a run down!

A Final Tip – Know When to Rest

Remember, rest is a vital part of recovery – it’s when your body grows stronger after the rigours of training.

These hacks are intended to motivate you if you have a session planned, but lack the gusto to get out. But don’t overdo it. If you really don’t feel up to running, it’s OK to rest. That way, you can stay strong in the long run.