5 Things I Avoid to Remain an Obsessively Consistent Runner

5 Things I Avoid To Remain an Obsessively Consistent Runner

Yes, I don’t stay up late, no that doesn't make the list

Motivation quotes will kill your running habit quicker than you can say steroids.

I’m serious. The motivation tips that flood the internet are so obvious it’s like saying rest is necessary or hydration is important or Kipchoge is the greatest marathoner of all time.

We know it. We don't need to talk about it. I don’t mean to brag, but here’s the thing; I’ve been running for 20+ years. My current weekly routine is 3 running days, 2 days of strength training and a 16 mins pre-hab workout once a week.

So if it wasn't the obvious stuff that helped me remain obsessively consistent, what was it?

I reviewed my current routine and here’s what I came up with.

1.Counting Calories

When I started running, I had a terrible relationship with food. I starved myself, tried multiple diets and used food to soothe my emotions. I struggled to find a balance between meeting my adolescent body's nutritional needs and staying hungry.

It took me a long time to change this relationship; but I found the sweet spot.

I learnt to listen to my hunger cues, to feel, rather than avoid, my emotions and to celebrate my progress.

Because of this, I don’t need to count calories or label foods as good or bad. I allow myself to eat cakes, candies and to drink fizzy drinks, but in moderation.

I see food as fuel for my runs, not an enemy who will impede my goals.

2. Long Evening Runs

There is no secret here, running energises. It helps you untangle thoughts, dilute toxic emotions, and recharge your batteries.

For me, running injects my system with a buzz that no drug can. I can’t count the number of times I have gone to bed at 3 am cause of this high. And, I still woke up at my usual time. I am now the wiser. The crankiness just wasn’t worth it.

Not only do late runs leave me irritable, they make me question the necessity of working out. Which is followed by self doubt. Consistency and doubt just don’t go together.

Instead, I opt to do my long runs in the morning. The endorphins come in handy throughout the day. By the time they are fading, it’s bedtime.

3. Old Worn-out Gear

It’s tempting to hold on to my favorite sports bra; and other priceless fitness gear. We’ve been through a lot together. They know the curves and contours of my body better than anyone else.

But I don’t, and I don’t for a very important reason. Worn-out gear increases my risk of injury. From scorching cotton burns to blackened toe nails and bruises caused by misshapen under wires. Not to mention the possibility of overuse injuries brought on by well-worn shoes.

I’ve realised I need to have three pairs of running shoes for the different terrains I run on. And at least 5 running tights and tees. This saves me the hustle of having to do laundry in between the week.

A bonus of replacing my gear is that it provides an incentive to keep working out. It need not be expensive, but stylish and practical.

4. Comparing Myself to Other Runners

Aah the good ole’ green-eyed monster. Look, I’m not immune to comparison; and neither are you. It’s just human nature, right? The social nature of running makes us more susceptible to envy. While apps can help you keep track of your progress, they also give us a peek (and more) into other runner’s lives.

From gear to speed, physiques to records and every other variable in between; it’s all out in the open for you to fawn and frown at.

But envy is a trap. Rather than motivate me to do better, it blocks my productivity. Rather than find fulfilment, I’m driven to outdo someone else. Envy sours the enjoyment of what I most love.

And so I stopped. I turned envy into a friend, not a foe. Envy is a sign that I’m not living up to my full potential. I know deep down that I’m capable of more than what I’ve achieved so far.

I traded envy for admiration. I studied the runs of those I admired- their frequency, their strength and rest days. They taught me from their routines. I used their achievements as a guide for what is possible.

5.Motivation

If I had waited to feel motivated before most of my runs, I wouldn’t be writing this article. Because motivation is garbage; it’s never there when you need it.

Instead, I learnt how to hack motivation by eliminating analysis paralysis. I figured if I could reduce the number of things I need to think about before each run, I would increase my odds of success.

So, I plan my runs on Sunday evenings. I lay out my gear for all the days I will work out and prepare my pre and post run snacks. Before the battery levels get critical, I charge my smart watch.

I don’t need to wait for inspiration. I run because I am committed to it; regardless of how I feel.