5 Ways to Manage Overwhelm and Stay Stress-Free-Sarah Canney.png

"I just can't seem to fit it in."

It's a true statement. Sometimes you can't fit it all in, but if you really want running to be your "thing." There's a way to make it happen. It takes a little time, some commitment and a certain amount of grace, but becoming and a runner isn't completely out of reach. And if you've gone on a running hiatus and are desperate to get back to it, but can't imagine how you'll find the time again then this is where to start.

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Get motivated

Motivation comes and goes, there's no doubt about it and even the seemingly 'highly motivated' don't sustain it for long periods of time. Most runner's I know sustain their running through a certain level of motivation and commitment. The combination of the two ensure that when motivation is waning, the commitment is still there.

Write it down

The best way to harness motivation is to WRITE DOWN your intention when it comes into your mind. The very act of writing down your desire to run, is the first step towards making it happen. So if you're sitting on the couch on Thursday night scrolling through Instagram looking at someone else's race pics and you think "I want to do that!" or "I should get back to that." Put your phone down, grab a pen and paper and jot that intention down: "I want to run a 5K." Or maybe you want start a running streak and see if you can make it a whole month running every day.

Make Time

Once you've captured that intention, sit down with you schedule and figure out the most likely time that you'll fit in your run. If it's early morning before the day gets started, with a friend on a lunch break, strapping the kids in the jogging stroller or after work. Making time also might mean giving something up, maybe you turn the TV off and head to bed earlier or you skip happy hour and head to the gym instead.

Set up for Success

You've got your intentions set, you've decided the best time to execute, now it's time to set yourself up for success. Lay out your running clothes the night before, pack a gym bag for work, plan to bring a lunch so you can run on your lunch break and eat afterwards or make pack a picnic lunch for you and your kiddos for after you head out for that stroller run.

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Stay Motivated

Step by Step

The best way to stay motivated is to have a goal that you're working towards. Take a look at that intention you set and figure out the best way to create steps towards making it a reality. If you're hoping to run a race, sign up and then find a running coach or training plan that will help prepare you. If you're hoping to create a run streak, find a fun way to chart your runs each day.

Accountability

Let people know about your intention and the goals you have in place for yourself. Share it with people who will support you with encouragement and challenge you when you've gone off the path. Brining people in on your plan will only help you in the long run. Joining a running club is a great way to meet likeminded people who will help you stay motivated.

Make running your thing

It's said that if something is important to you, then you'll find the time. Once you've set those intentions, it's important to revisit them frequently. Come back to that original reason of "why," to keep yourself motivated. Sometimes the original intent changes as you go along your path and they "why" may not look the same as when you started, and that's OK. It doesn't matter so much what got you started, but that you keep going.

How do you stay motivated?

Sarah

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