THREE THINGS THAT HAVE CHANGED MY MINDSET AND MY MOTIVATION!
I remember, ALWAYS running when I was younger. Whether it was for soccer, tennis, paddling, or PE, I NEVER enjoyed running. Running a mile every week for PE was the worst, not because I wasn’t good but because I didn’t have the right mindset. I had the mentality of just getting it over with or “lasting” but after being done with sports, there was a lot of trial and error in keeping a consistent running schedule and this is something that I didn’t figure out overnight but over time and having a partner to keep me on track in the beginning was a huge part of me getting back into it. These three things have changed my mindset and my motivation;
- STRETCHING
- Good shoes!
- Listening to music that IS higher than 180 BPM
Stretching makes a great difference for me, especially before I go on my run! If I don’t stretch my legs properly, I usually can’t run my usual route the entire time, my legs start to cramp and I end up walking more than I should, unfortunately. When I get a good stretch in beforehand, I have much better stamina and I don’t have to worry about my muscles tightening up in the middle of my run.
Having good running shoes also made a big difference for me. I used to wear Nike shoes that I owned for 3+ years, at least, which were worn down and lacking the support I needed. But PROPER running shoes that fit the style of running you’re into does make a difference. I quickly realized investing in quality shoes is so important for any kind of footwear because they literally support you. Shoes can make the biggest difference for lower back pain too! I wear the Levitate 3 by Brooks, which are road-running shoes since I’ve been running outdoors lately.
Lastly, if you’re the type that likes to listen to music when you’re running, slow music won’t get you very far! Instead of listening to slow music and letting my mind wander according to the music, I now listen to music that is at least 180 beats per minute, and I can honestly say this made a HUGE difference. On Spotify they have a genre for “Running”, which is so perfect to ease your way into running and then if and when you’re ready, you can always create your own playlist!
Stretching, good shoes, and music that is at least 180 BPM’s, have been the top three things that I changed, which has also improved my mindset while running. For me, I usually wake up in the morning, make myself a cup of black coffee (sometimes I’ll make some oatmeal if I’m feeling hungry in the morning), get ready for my run; dress, stretch and drink coffee and then I’m out the door for a two-mile run!
Timing yourself can also be a way to push yourself to be better and stay motivated! I’m not a professional runner, but these are the tricks that have truly helped me with getting back into it! So far, I have been pretty consistent with running three times a week!