Pine Belt Pacers Forum

Hello, as a new member (newbie) to the PBPs - I wanted to ask the members of this group this question. What motivates you to run?
I'm sure that I will never reach the levels that most of you all have,
but that's not really my goal. However, I would love to hear what
keeps each of you going day-after-days.

Thanks and I look forward to reading your replies.

Tinker

Hi Tinker, welcome to the group.
Pay close attention what other people respond to your question, not to me. I am not a very serious runner!

I feel I am somehow an anti-runner. I like to race but don't like to train. I like the social aspect of running along with other like-minded souls but don't have any discipline (I run 2 weeks, then I quit three, run 3 days and stop 4, etc, etc). While training, I like to run slow and avoid anything that looks like a "tempo run" or "speed work". I don't run when it is too cold or too hot or when it is raining (only exception... last Saturday. Shame on me!) I am too lazy -- I avoid running in trails because I don't like my shoes to get muddy, etc,etc! -- My running gear just consist of my shoes, shorts, and t-shirts.

It looks terrible! doesn't it? -- SO what is my motivation to keep running? One, to just have fun and think about life while running and second, I got in this age in which as soon as I stop doing some exercise, I start gaining weight so badly and quickly! In other words, I run because it improves my general fitness and health (Running is easy, and I don't need to carry 100 pounds of extra-gear or expend $5000 in "equipment"!).

Hi! My name is Becky and I am an addict.

Well, I thought about this today, while I was running! If you ask me from day to day, my answer will change. Some days, I am not motivated at all, and I have to push myself to get out the door.

My patients are a big motivator for me at times. There was a very special patient that I had that died too soon. Her determination to walk again was very inspiring to me. I think of her and sometimes when I want to wimp out, I think of her struggle and determination to just walk again.

Another motivator for me, sometimes, is an upcoming race. I love to compete, (doesn't mean I am good at it), but I am sick and need help!! My competition, in my mind, is me!! Can I get stronger, faster, better? Can I push myself? Now, if I could just squeeze more hours in the day, maybe I could train like I would like to!!

The last motivator, that I can think of at the top of my mind, is that if I stop running, it would just be too difficult to get started again. When Charles and I started running a few years ago, we celebrated running a whole mile!! I felt like I was going to lose a lung!! I just don't want to have to start over again from scratch!!

Those are my primary motivators. Some days I have to dig deep, but it is just something that I do now, and something that continues to be a big part of my life, not everything, but something I am just not ready to give up!!

Audrey is right; some days you are not motivated at all. For example, this morning I went for a run, but it was not one of those good days. I started running and... after 200 yards I didn't want to continue. I had to obligate myself to run at least 2 miles at slow motion, and then I walked another one... I was done for the day (and for the week?)!

One thing I forgot to mention in my previous post is that I AM NOT proud at all of my laziness and lack of discipline when running. I wish I could be more consistent. I admire those people (a lot of them in our group) who have the discipline, dedication, and consistency of keeping running, setting running goals, and working hard to reach them.

Finally, when you are newby, another motivator is the feeling of accomplishment when you reach a goal... leave the coach, walk for 15 minutes, your first 5K race, your first marathon, etc,etc. That feeling is priceless!!

Welcome Tinker.

I am LOL as I read these replies to your question which leads me to one big motivator for me and that is the social factor that allows me to be associated with this crazy but fun group of people! I still consider myself a newbie to runnning (about 2 yrs) and these "serious runners" amaze me!

I have always tried to keep some kind of physical activity going in my life and running is the hardest thing I've ever done. SO another motivating factor for me is the feeling of accomplishment when I'm done (no matter how far I go 3mi or 13). I have never ran any distance and it be "easy".

Although I'm not a competitor, I enjoy the organized runs which is usually what keeps me running in between.

And the biggest one, I enjoy being outside and running with my wonderful husband (when we have time).

Look forward to reading more posts here ~ this is great!
Hope to meet you sometime,
Christy T

Good Question! I wonder about this a lot and I really do not have an answer. I guess for me, I am in Becky's boat, a true addict. I started jogging my senior year in high school and ran the ATR in Mobile. From that time until sometime between 2000-2003, I always started running and then I would stop, start , stop, etc. Then around 2000-2003 ??? not sure exactly, I started to really worry about the wear and tear on my body so I went to mostly walking. Dec. 2003, I walked my first marathon (I jogged the first 4 miles and then walked the rest) From that time, until now I have been on a great odyssey that I would not trade. I gradually returned to running and ran my first marathon @ Mardi Gras 2005. Then I met Margie and we started running together. She basically inspired me to want to run faster and since then I have been obsessed with competing with myself. Part of it is because of my age. Realistically, I know that I will start slowing down soon. So currently, I guess my age is my biggest motivation. The clock is ticking and I still have BIG GOALS that I want to achieve. Not sure if they are realistic, but I go for them anyway.

I often think about, and appreciate that I am highly motivated to run. I see so many who struggle to keep going and for me it's just a huge passion and drive.

My other huge motivating factor is one that Audrey mentioned. I am too scared to get out of shape. Chad took 10 years off, and it has been a constant struggle for him to try to come back. I do not want to get out of shape because I may never start back. For me it's just much easier to train year around than to get into and out of shape constantly.

Another thing that keeps me motivated is changing my races throughout the year. In the fall & winter, I train for distance races. In the spring and summer, I do some distance, but I primarily train for 10k and 5ks, mostly 5ks. This keeps my training fresh throughout the year.

Sometimes - other pacers are very motivating, newbies can be very inspiring all the way to great veterans who continue to run and inspire.

Long term - after I finish my speed goals, then I have a list of hilly marthons that I will go to run, for fun and the beauty of the courses. So, long term, I hope to stay motivated and healthy. I am blessed and hope that I continue along with this great ride that I am on, and I hope that my motivation stays strong.

actually, i've been in the club for a year or so. i'm 53. been running about 20 years. competitvely for about 4 years. i used to run to keep my weight down, but, now, i like the competition: that "dogfight" with another runner in the last 1/2-mile of a 5k.

i have the following ad copy on my office wall. i tore it out of a running magazine. i think it was written for a shoe company:

"IF YOU RAN WITHOUT SACRIFICE, CONGRATULATIONS. YOU JUST JOGGED. Running hurts. It always has. Woolly mammoths didn't just roll over onto a plate and serve themselves up to prehistoric man with fries and a shake. They had to be caught - and running down woolly mammoths was a bitch. Guess what? Running is still a bitch. But one with a purpose. It teaches us that good things do not come easy. It teaches us that we are capable of more than we think. It teaches us that hard work will be rewarded and laziness will be punished. Don't expect to learn those lessons from running's shiftless stepchild, jogging. Next time you suffer the roads or trails, suffer proudly. It means you run like an animal."

Hi Eric, when you say "I like....that "dogfight" with another runner in the last 1/2-mile of...", do you mean something like this? --->

Raul - You better continue with your new training program because that other participant in the "dog fight" is becoming a lean mean running machine. You should have seen him at last night's track workout! Six miles and he was still able to *sprint* the last 100.

Now I know who my motivator is and thy name be NESTOR

Audrey's Little Helper wrote:Now I know who my motivator is and thy name be NESTOR

Hehe! In fact, Charles is one the people who I like the best to run with in any event. We use similar training programs, and we go for any fun running event that will take place in or close to Hburg! Aahhh and how I can forget that he is also my official translator. He is the only person in town who can figure out what the heck I am talking about when I pretend to be speaking in English

I was thinking about inviting him to go to the challenging 30th Annual edition of the Run Through History 10K in Vicksburg < http://www.runthruhistory.org/ >, but it will take place the same day than the Mississippi 50 Trail Run, March 7!

O.k. Now I'm ROTFL.

I must admit that over the past few weeks I haven't been very motivated to run. But until this week have stayed with my usual schedule of treadmill, elliptical machine and weights during my lunch hour at the Payne Center. Tomorrow's attempt to get motivated again is a fitness assessment just to see where my 41 year old body is taking me.

But my plans so far are to train for a 1/2 marathon and then a marathon (events to be announced at a later date) so I'm hoping that my motivation will come forth. And I really need to get back to Thames Track on Tuesday nights for motivation, it really helps to watch the others run while I follow.

I'm glad that I'm not the only one that struggles with the motivation thing. I always thought that all runners were like obsessed addicts. Whew!!! What a relief. And yes I would rather eat than not. To bad my addiction to food can't just somehow transport itself into a running addiction.

Thanks to everyone that replied to my question. It is interesting to read the many different reason that people get out there and run/jog/walk.

As for little old Tinker, I do it as a way to combat clinical depression now. I use to do "roadwork" for ISKA kickboxing, but due to some addictions, injuries, incidents and old age - I have retired from the sport I once lived for each and every day.

I don't expose myself (think that's against the law and beside too many of you would probably laugh yourselves to death), but I was losing the battle with my depression. Then, after my life-partner's death - I started running in the mountains of Spokane. It helped, and I decided to continue. Now, I still suffer from serious bouts of depression, but not as much and not as deep. I admit I am painful shy around people, but I feel like I know a lot of you even if I haven't spoken to you.

And, my running / jogging (snails still pass me on a regular schedule) - I have managed to reduce the meds I have to take, and even been taken out one. I would enjoy being med-free one day, and I think the running/jogging has become the best drug I could have.

Thanks again for sharing and hope to get to know you all better in the future.

Joe "Tinker"

It sounds as if you have overcome many difficult battles along the way. That is great!! Now, I am not a Dr., but I do work in the health field, many times with some very depressed patients. The meds my patients take help maintain the balance that they need to function at the top of their abilities. I am assuming that all the med changes that you are making, and have made are in conjunction with the advice of your physician and that you are monitoring those closely? I don't mean to be a busy body. It is usually a good thing to come off meds, but not too fast, and sometiimes they are needed to maintain the chemical balance of the brain. I am sure you already know all of this, but someone else may not be aware that just stopping anti-depressants may not be the wisest choice. As always, just consult the Dr. and be safe.

Now, as for being shy. Well, me too!! No really!! Charles is the outgoing one!! However, I love to listen to people, and hear about their running/life adventures. This group of people can and will make you feel right at home. I don't think Nestor has ever met a stranger, and Vicki is truly, the hostess with the mostest!! We all have this bond of fitness and running that we share, for various reasons, and we are just a fun group that enjoys encouraging others to achieve their fitness goals. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, and at the next event, come say hi!!