With most races being cancelled, it can be hard to stay motivated to train. Here are some tips to keep you in the saddle!
1.) Schedule your own “personal” race.
This was my first pandemic running strategy! I decided that I wanted to PR in the 5k this summer. Instead of having a set date, my goal was to break 24 minutes in the 5k by the end of June. This goal gave me a sense of purpose and allowed me to have a plan in a world where all of my other plans had come undone.
You can try this strategy for any distance!
(P.S. I did achieve my goal with a PR of 23:49 on June 25th! Next stop, breaking 23 minutes)
2.) Sign up for a virtual race!
Need a little more motivation from others? Check out this post from Runner’s World for a list of virtual races you can participate in. Many races will still send you t-shirts, medals, and other goodies to help you feel like you aren’t missing anything at all.
3.) Explore the outdoors
Is there a park near you that you’ve always wanted to run at? Maybe a trail a little farther away? Use your run as an excuse to explore new paths! Make sure to follow proper social distancing and avoid heavily crowded areas.
4.) Watch something motivational
Okay, so not technically “running”, but hear me out… watching a running-related film or documentary can help remind you of the amazing community you are a part of, even if you can’t technically be with them right now. I highly recommend Brittany Runs a Marathon on Amazon Prime!
5.) Free yourself from race-season pressure.
Let’s face it- the world we live in just got 10x more stressful. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, I invite you to run for the love of running. You don’t need a rigid training plan to feel fulfilled from the sport. No watch, no goal pace, no pressure. Run with the sole purpose of stress-relief.