(excerpted from the Running Room Runner's Times Newsletter, February 1999 )
Plan and schedule your daily workouts.
Be flexible within your schedule. Just commit to completing the workout.
Be creative in planning your workouts. Use normal down time or waiting time to get in that run, stretch session, or cross-training session.
Read, listen to or watch something humorous. A good laugh gets rid of most stress. The thought of my good buddy Nick Lees running a marathon in a tutu usually does the trick for me.
Vary your workouts. Running the same distance or course every day can soon lead to boredom. A little speed or some hill repeats will put some spring back into your stride.
Run with a buddy. You can motivate each other.
Imagine yourself in a race leading the pack that is 25 meters behind you. Push just a little.
In a safe area, put on headphones and listen to some music, a motivational tape or a comedy tape.
Mix it up - change the time of day you normally run; run in a different direction; run a new workout; or read a great new running book like Running Start To Finish.
Best yet, run past a hospital to remind yourself how fortunate you are to have your good health. It is a fragile gift you must look after.
