• It’s hot.
  • Its raining out.
  • I’m tired.
  • No one is around to go with.
  • It’s cold. (okay, not anymore.)
  • TV is far more entertaining.
  • None of my clothes are clean.
  • My sunburn hurts.
  • There are so many more productive things I could be doing.

What’s your excuse today? We all have a list build up of all the reasons we don’t feel like running. But when it comes down do it, how many of them are actually legitimate reasons? Part of being a runner is knowing how to make yourself get out there and run, even when a re-run of Seinfeld looks more interesting than the pavement ahead of you.
Think about your last really great run. Whether it was yesterday, or last week, or a month ago we all have one of those stored in memory too. Think about how you felt when you finished. Think about how good your post-run meal tasted. Think about how awesome the shower was after you stretched. Remember THAT feeling when you’re feeling THOSE other feelings about not wanting to run. Running is a lot of mental endurance too, you have to learn to play it’s game.
It’s not that you don’t want to run. It’s not that you don’t feel like running. You just had a minor lag in thought, you forgot what greatness can come with a great run. Today my battle is getting over the fact that my sunburned belly hurts and I don’t want to go because of that—but it hurt yesterday too, and it was hot yesterday, but I still ran. And the sweat dripping down my legs and into my socks was a gross yet satisfying feeling.

So remind yourself of yourself after your last great run, and get outside! Now! GO!!