5 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Run…

Going running is one of the best and cheapest ways to start exercising to get yourself in shape. However, breaking old habits and starting new routines can be hard, whenever someone wants to make a change he or she needs to find ways to motivate themselves. Starting to run is no different to starting any other demanding activity.

Here are five ways to motivate yourself and get you out of that front door:

Stop with the Excuses!

If you’re finding it increasingly hard to motivate yourself and finding every excuse going to not go for a run, try telling yourself you’re just going for a walk instead. Once out the door walk for a while, then start to slowly jog. Start to increase the pace a bit as you go and before you know it you’ll be in full flight. Don’t push yourself too hard on the first go, you want to do the best you can do, not hurt yourself.

Get a Running Partner

Nobody wants to stand up a friend and suffer the embarrassment of letting them down. Getting a running partner has several benefits. Knowing you have to meet someone at a specific time and place will help motivate you to get out of bed or off the sofa. It will make your runs more of a social event and enjoyable rather than just something you have to do, plus it will help you to push each other further to go further and faster.

Sleep in your Running Clothes

Make sure they are clean first! But sleeping in your running clothes can provide just enough incentive to get out of your bed in the morning. Not only does it act a remind the moment you wake up, it will harder psychologically to skip your run if you’re already dressed. This could be the difference between hitting snooze and making a real difference to your life.

Have a Race in Mind

Many people work better when working towards a specific target. Signing up for a short race like a 5k or even perhaps a 10k, will give you that goal to aim for. You will know you have to train if you are to complete the race, pushing you harder and further. So sign up today and start getting prepared!

Do it for Charity

This has to be a massive motivation for anyone, especially if you choose a charity that means something to you personally. Many marathons and half marathons have specific entries for people running for charity, there are various shorter races that allow you to run for charity or are specifically aimed at raising money for a charitable cause. If running to make the world a better place and for something you believe in doesn’t motivate you, nothing will.

 These tips should help motivate you and if you keep running for at least six months there is every chance running will not only become one of your passions, but your motivation itself. Exercising regularly can make you feel calmer, more positive and happier. So don’t hesitate start today!

RACING ACROSS THE GENERATIONS - 4 Generations of the same family to run Race for Life

Four generations of one family have teamed up to take on the Race for Life Challenge. A school girl from Kidderminster has got her family together to run the race in memory of her grandmother, who survived cancer twice.

Schoolgirl Tiany Milnes, 10, wants girls of all ages to come together and light up the night by joining Race for Life Twilight at three venues across the West Midlands in October.

Tiany, who attends Holy Trinity International School, was inspired to take part in the event by her grandmother Sue Chance, who has survived both breast and cervical cancer in the last six years.

Joining forces with her mother Sarah Milnes, who works at Kidderminster Academy, Tiany was bitten by the fund-raising bug when they signed up for Race for Life in June and encouraged Ms Chance to join in with them.

They then signed up for Race for Life Twilight with Ms Chance’s great granddaughter Amber Pettifer, aged four.

Ms Chance was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 following a routine mammogram and underwent surgery to remove the lump followed by radiotherapy.

Then, in 2009, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer and needed a hysterectomy. The retired textiles teacher from Worcester said:

“I just thought of it as a blip the first time and decided it wasn’t going to stop me galloping through life,” she said. “It never crossed my mind I could get cancer again but you just have to get on with it and I was lucky they caught it early both times.”

Now Tiany has had the words “beat it, cancer”,painted on her arms as part of a stunt to promote the new event and highlight the fighting spirit needed to beat cancer sooner.

“If it weren’t for scientists doing research my grandma might not be here today,” said Tiany.

“That’s why I want to invite girls of all ages to join us and sign up for Race for Life Twilight.”

They will be taking part in the event at Worcester Racecourse on October 18. Organisers of the new evening events want women to wear sparkling, glow in the dark, accessories and run, jog or walk the 5k course to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.

The Great North Run was another Resounding Success, Raising an Estimated £28m for Charity!

The Great North Run Europe's biggest half marathon was another fantastic success this year, providing a boost to the local economy and raising an estimated £28m for charity.

The men's race featured one of the most dramatic finishes in the event’s history, which made for an even more outstanding day. 

The race reached a dramatic conclusion when Britain's Olympic hero Mo Farah, the best long distance runner in the world, entered into an epic duel with Ethiopian rival Kenenisa Bekele which saw him pipped at the post. Their dual and their breathtaking sprint finish is sure to be remembered for years to come.

As will the sight of the near 56,000 runners who braved the awful weather forecasts and enhanced the reputation of this remarkable event, which was officially started by World 400m Champion Christine Ohuruogu and England Cricketer Graeme Swann.

David Hart, spokesman for organisers Nova International, said: “It was an incredible day – one of the greatest races in athletics history.

“It had probably the greatest finish of any Great North Run in recent years, the crowd were sensational, and it was a great day for the region and the 56,000 runners involved.

“Thankfully the weather didn’t turn out to be quite as challenging as had been forecast.

“A couple of people have been taken to hospital and are under observation, but overall it was a fantastic day and Nova, as organisers, are very, very proud of how it went.”

The race was not just about the professional athletes though, it boasted a variety of interesting and wonderful characters, from celebrities like former football star turned TV pundit Robbie Savage (alongside referee Graham Poll) and Spice Girl Mel C, to hoardes of fun runners who took part to achieve personal race goals and raise huge amounts of cash for a range of worthy cause.

Ex-premier league footballer Robbie Savage completed the half marathon to raise over £2,500 for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Mr Savage was running in memory of his father Colin who had a less common form of dementia called Pick’s Disease and passed away in March last year, aged 64.

Completing the 13.4 mile run in one hour 58 minutes, Mr Savage said: “I've faced a lot of challenges on the pitch but watching my father and my hero battle against dementia was the biggest of my life.