Life can be a beach during summer in Canada, and runners could use a dose of motivation to stay focused on their goals during the hot weather. Indeed, summer can be a distraction when the beach beckons. The shrimp are on the barbecue, and Margaritaville sounds like the best place to chill for a while. Forget about exercise. The lazy days of summer can cause us to forget about doing anything. Yet summer can be a great opportunity to stay active, with more daylight hours and warmer weather. It’s a great time to set new running goals for the fall. Here are my top five tips for staying motivated during summer, and I included some good summer reads.
- Set a new goal and write it down. Make it realistic so it is attainable. If your goal is becoming difficult for some reason, reach out for support. Tell your running mates you want to achieve this goal in a specific time period. They’ll help you get there.
- Read success or inspirational stories. As Jason Beck, curator at the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame and author of The Miracle Mile, says: “If you’re looking for a summer read and like sports, this summer’s must-read book is The Miracle Mile: Stories of the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. Published by Caitlin Press and available at most bookstores for $29.95, praise for this book has come from all corners. The Victoria Times-Colonist’s Cleve Dheensaw says, “It is an exhaustive and engaging look back to those nine days in the summer of 1954 that changed a province and how it thought about itself and its place in the world. … With the detailed, yet nuanced, historical touch that has gone into this work, it’s hard to believe Beck is only 34 years old, because he writes (like) an old soul.” Finally, from Mr. John Landy himself, one of the two principal figures in The Miracle Mile and still revered as one of Australia’s greatest athletes: “Painstakingly re-searched, it captures vividly the atmosphere of Vancouver and the Empire Games. … Thank you for this most evocative book, it will continue to remind me of one of the greatest weeks of my life.” Another good read is, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, author Haruki Murakami gives a personal account of his obsession with writing and how it intersects with his obsession for running as he attempts to explain them both. Also, The Inner Runner: Running to a More Successful and Creative You by Jason Karp Dives into the reason that so many people are drawn to run, and how it helps us tap into our deepest levels of creativity and highest levels of success.
- Plan a running destination, and incorporate a run into the trip. It can be a five-kilometre run or up to a marathon depending on your fitness level – it’s a great way to see the city on foot.
- Keep your running social. Run with a group and have coffee afterwards.Or get together for a club run and have a little more shrimp on the barbecue afterwards.
- Try some cross training instead. Hiking or biking trips can add variety to your running program.
- Helping others to start running can be extremely rewarding for you. Just seeing someone improve every time out will no doubt inspire. Buying a new pair of shoes and gear can elevate your confidence and comfort levels at the same time.
Remember there will be days you won’t feel like working out. Stick with the program, because it will get easier and you will gain confidence. If you don’t have time to run five kms that day, then readjust your schedule and run for 20 minutes instead. When you do something healthy, you will feel better about yourself and more energized.
Christine Blanchette is running/fitness writer and is TV host of Run With It on Shaw. Follow her on Twitter @christineruns or check out her YouTube channel: runwithitcb1. Her website is www.runwithit.ca.
