How to get back into running after you’ve fallen off the wagon

My running has taken a major hit this past year. I had high hopes + expectations for my running in 2018, but I’ll be honest… running or at least being competitive in my running has definitely not been one of my top priorities.And I know there are several of you out there who are experiencing the same thing. You’ve lost your running mojo + just can’t figure out how to get back into it.Maybe you trained for + ran a marathon in the spring, took some time off after (because, let’s face it, you get a little burnt out after training for 16+ weeks) and just couldn’t figure out how to get back into it.Or maybe you just got busy and were focused on other things (oh hey there, you too?!) and running took a backseat to everything else you had going on in your life.But, here’s the kicker…You LOVE running. In fact, you feel like you NEED running in your life, but you simply just don’t know how to really ENJOY the act of running again.I’ll be honest… I’m not really sure I have all the answers or a definite answer for you. But, I CAN give you some ways to get back into it and hopefully gain back your running mojo.

Go back to basics.

When we fall off the running wagon, it’s so easy to look back and see where we were when we lost our running mojo. (Sorry if you hate that phrase, but really, for lack of a better word…) Usually it’s back when we were at a peak in our running career. We just ran a PR or completed our goal race. You trained HARD for that and you remember every single step you took. Are you ready for the harsh reality? If that peak was more than 6 weeks ago, you’re not anywhere CLOSE to where you were then.You can’t expect to pick back up where you left off. It’s just not going to happen. Start with the basics. Go out and run a mile or two, or maybe 3 if you feel like it. Don’t worry about your pace or time, just go run because you CAN. You can take the next day off or go for another easy run. But, keep it easy!It’s hard for us to remember what it was like when we first started running, especially if you’re like me and it’s been 15+ years since you started. But, you must go back to basics. Just go out and run because you CAN. Or maybe even start with a couch to 5K program if it’s been longer than a few months.

Set a goal + schedule it in.

I’m lumping these 2 together because really, they go hand in hand. First of all, set a goal. It doesn’t have to be a race or a PR or anything grandiose. But, you’ve GOT to have a goal. Here’s a fine example:This week, I’m going to wake up early 3 days to go for a 20-30 minute run.Boom. Simple. Basic. Nothing special. But, you set the intention that you’re going to do it. And don’t you DARE break that promise to yourself. If you’re doing #Last90Days with me, you know that breaking promises to ourselves is not an option. Do this this week then you can up it the next, but do this one thing and accomplish what you set out to accomplish.And then SCHEDULE it. When do you know that you will have time to get it done? Maybe you need to coordinate with your spouse as to when you can run + they can watch the kids. I wake up first thing in the morning to get my run in because I know that it’s GUARANTEED. If I wait until the afternoon, something might come up, or I lose track of time, or a kiddo gets sick, or whatever. My AM workout is GUARANTEED and I don’t have to ask my husband any other favors because he’s likely in home in bed at that time, as are my kids.Set the intention, schedule it in, and, dammit, don’t break your promise to yourself.

Get some accountability.

One of my running friends brought this up to me after my live last week and she was absolutely right. Sometimes you NEED accountability.In fact, when I hired my first running coach, it wasn’t because I needed someone to train me. Nope. I know how to train myself well in order to achieve my goal. But, I needed someone to hold me accountable to doing the workouts like I was supposed to be doing them. She could read through my BS excuses as to why I didn’t hit my splits (because I’m a mental case with running) and could talk me up to hit my goals.If I didn’t have my weekend running group to do my long runs with, I probably would still absolutely avoid long runs like the plague. But, they keep me accountable because they expect me to show up. And shoot, they make me a better runner because they’re all faster than me!Find a running buddy. Hire a coach. Make your husband shake you until you wake up and go out the door for your run. I don’t care what you do, but find someone that will help you accomplish that goal + keep you accountable for doing it.