HOW I STAY MOTIVATED WHEN I RUN
Summer is almost over and the yellow leaves are already in my steps as I run through Milan's Parco Sempione. The temperature is returning to pleasant levels, although soon the days will start getting shorter again. The training for my first marathon, which will take place in October in Portugal, is progressing and I would be lying if I didn't tell you that it is hard.
But it is also wonderfully beautiful.
When I was on holiday in Greece I had the opportunity to run in Athens, the city where this discipline was practically born, and it was really exciting. Running in the middle of the Acropolis at dawn and admiring from Lycabettus Hill the city waking up from a supernatural silence was an experience I will never forget.
Running is a great way to explore new places and admire its sights. However, a small set back forced me to rest for several days. I was so afraid that this would damage all my efforts to prepare for the big event, but instead I only benefited greatly from this time off. And I recharged myself great. Now that I am back in Milan I have quietly resumed my weekly running routine.
Sometimes I stop and think about the fact that I still can't believe I have come this far. In January, it seemed impossible for me to complete even 10 km. But running has helped me so much in the difficult moments, which unfortunately this year were not lacking. It has allowed me to evolve, to believe more in myself and, although it may sound absurd, to grow. It is a magnificent challenge for oneself. I am a person who likes to put myself on the line, and not knowing what the race I am about to run will have in store for me always intrigues and excites me so much.
Many people don't seem to understand why I really enjoy running and always ask me where I find the motivation to do it.
The fact is, I keep finding this relentless willpower within me - the power to find a way to push myself further every day. I have a curious nature and over the years have loved learning to explore my limits. Not to mention how much it has made me reconnect with the world around me, nature and people, but most of all myself.
But I'm human and it's natural for my motivation to undergo alterations. There are days when I can't do anything I set out to do, I feel down and sore.. but I've learned that these things are normal, and I've accepted that. It's normal to feel unmotivated sometimes; we're human. But in the last few months I've learned some mindsets that might be useful when you feel down and you just want to throw in the towel. Let me share them with you.
First of all, if you start telling yourself that you'll never be able to run that distance, that the path is too hard or that you'll never make it, well in those moments I'd like you to stop and look at how far you've come. Some time ago you probably never thought you would get to where you are now. But here you are, you have reached that distance that only a short while ago seemed impossible for you to complete. It is the same thing. Week after week look at the macro scenario of what you have achieved and set small goals.
There will be days when you wake up and tell yourself that for nothing in the world today will you be able to get out of bed and run 20 miles for three hours. Now, in those moments I need you to remember that you are not showing up for yourself. But you are showing up for your FUTURE self. It's not about the you of today, it's about the you that you will be tomorrow, showing up at that starting line. Because in order to run those distances the last thing you will need is to feel insecure at the starting line. Trust yourself.
The other suggestion may seem obvious: prepare and prepare. Preparation for a marathon is extremely time consuming. If you don't plan the days and long runs to be completed in the time frame you have, unfortunately, you risk going nowhere.
You must always plan your runs well in advance, but not only those: pre-run meals are extremely important and should not be taken lightly, even in terms of their consumption before a run. For example, I when I have to wake up early to go for a run, the night before I prepare my breakfast for the next day (usually oatmeal), so the next morning I don't waste additional time in preparation but simply open the fridge and have breakfast right away. Same for clothing: I always prepare it the night before, fill my water bottle in advance, prepare gels and running shoes. Everything on hand. It sounds obvious, but continuously trying to make your future easier (by saving even 5 minutes) is a winning strategy, trust me. Also because it's always good to start a run in the clearest, most stress-free midset possible.
Another tip that I personally love and it helps so much is that when you run, everything we feel in our head is transmitted through your whole body. So the best thing is for your head to be as positive as possible, because if it's not, believe me, it will be game over in a very short time. I've had several runs where my head was in such confusion and full of noise that I had to throw in the towel because I simply wasn't able to keep going. It made my body feel heavy and my lungs tight, nothing was in place the way it was supposed to be.
One last thing that helps me a lot is to think of positive affirmations before I run. I usually think of 3 and they can be really simple like “I can do it,” “I'm strong enough,” “I'm tough enough.” So short but intense and straight to the point affirmations that you repeat and repeat in your head. Because when you think them, you feel them and when you then start believing them these will get over the negative thoughts that will come up at some point. Just keep repeating and repeating them, like a chant. And you will find yourself exactly where you want to be.
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