There are any number of ways to get motivated to get off the couch and onto your feet. One of my favorites is reading and watching videos about the incredible athletes out in the world today.

One of the better books, I’ve read recently was Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run. The story is something out of a fiction novel. A journalist finds a mysterious man that’s been lost in the desert for years and helps organize an epic ultra-marathon in the middle of nowhere with the natives of the area. Packed full of historic and scientific tidbits about running, it makes for an informative and exciting read. The biggest perk to reading it though is not the science facts and cool story. I’ve adjusted the way I think about running because of this book and it has served me very well.

Reading can feel very long term. When you pick up a book, it’s like starting a relationship with it for a few weeks(or however long it takes you to read it). For a more action-packed, one-night stand, with motivation I recommend videos about elite athletes. I can think of nothing more motivational that a well made video about the best in the world working their craft.

Case in point:

My alarm’s going off.

It’s 6am.

Every weekday I wake up and get ready for work.  I’m a web developer. I sit in a chair all day and stare at a computer. I do love the work but I have an issue with it. It’s not physical.

I love being outside too. I love running around, hiking, snowshoeing and riding. I’ve played sports all my life but lately it’s turned to more individual activities. I can push myself as hard as I want, as hard as I can, when I’m by myself.

The focus most recently has been on running. Running races, running with friends, running mountains, running hills. That feeling after a run is incredible and something I don’t think I could live without.

The hardest part about running though is getting up and moving. Those first few steps are so hard and they just don’t happen for many people. I think elite athletes are at the level they are because they’ve got the most motivation to start running. Anyone can continue to run. But only those rare few have the motivation to put their shoes on every time and go do it.

Running makes things better.

I’m always on the lookout for things that can improve my running or pump up my motivation to get out there and push harder and go further.

Music makes everything better but it’s particularly good with running. Whenever I’m running with music, I feel more focused, more motivated and more energetic. If you find anything else that does that, let me know (it has to be legal ).

Here’s what I’m listening to right now that gets me pumped.

1. Duality – Slipknot
2. You Don’t Know – Eminem, 50 Cent, Ca$his and Lloyd Banks
3. Welcome to Detroit – Eminem
4. Old Crows – Alexisonfire
5. This Could Be Anywhere in the World – Alexisonfire
6. Do You Feel Me – Tiesto
7. Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums – A Perfect Circle
8. How I Could Just Kill a Man – Rage Against The Machine
9. Keine Lust – Rammstein
10. Short Wanna Ride – Young Buck ( RATATAT Remix)
11. Stomp – Young Buck, T.I. & Ludacris (RATATAT Remix)
12. Breakin’ Dishes – Rihanna
13. Another Body Drops – Cypress Hill
14. 6 In The Morning – D12
15. Bring Em Out – T.I. Feat Jay-Z
16. Way Too Easy – The Day He Quit
17. Between Dogs and Wolves – The Day He Quit

Some Twitter friends were kind enough to offer up their favorite playlists as well.

David Damron from Life Excursion

1. GoodLife – OneRepublic
2. I’m on a boat – T-pain
3. The War – Angels and Airwaves
4. Kiss Kiss – T-Pain & Chris Brown
5. Blame it – Tpain & Jamie Foxx
6. Good Life – Kanye West
7. Use Somebody – Kings of Leon
8. Paper Planes Remix – Lil Wayne
9. If today was your last day – Nickelback
10. Any eminem track

John Frenette from Hella Sound

1. What Are You Made Of?!? - Hella Sound
2. As You Wish - Hella Sound
3. Know It When I See It – Hella Sound
4. How To Turn Around A Bad Day – Hella Sound
5. Wild International – One Day As A Lion
6. Alive - P.O.D.
7. Let There Be Rock – AC/DC
8. Backslider - The Toadies
9. Television Eyes - Trans Am
10. Wonton Salad – Das Boton
11. Flesh Into Gear – CKY
12. A Go Go - John Scofield
13. Blood and Thunder – Mastadon
14. New Born - Muse
15. 15 Step - RadioHead

Thanks so much guys for adding to the list of wicked running songs.

Comments: Add your favorite running songs to the list. If you’ve already posted your best running songs somewhere give us the link!!

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One of my challenges(resolutions) this year is to participate in as many races (trail, snowshoe, adventure and mountain biking) as I can. I’ve tried to do this in years past and had a lot of fun doing it but it’s not quite . as fun when your placing is getting higher and higher as the year goes on. They should be getting lower as you train become a better racer. My biggest problem is sticking to my training. There are too many interesting things to do every day like sleep, that a lot of the time I shrug off training like it’s taking out the garbage.

That will end this year.

So far I’ve run 3 of my 5 times a week. I know it’s not much but it’s a start. Baby steps here, folks. The difference is that I’m really excited to get up in the morning to go for a run. It is the reason I want to get out of bed. How did I do that? What changed?

I did.

It’s all in your head, whether you make the decision to run or not. If I want to run, I run. If I don’t want to run, I don’t. I’ve given myself strong reasons to run and, yes, I have to give myself a little pep talk before I get out in the rain and wind to pound the pavement but so far that hasn’t been a problem. Hit every point on the list below and you can run whenever you want.

Make it a priority

This was a big one for me. What is most the most important thing in the world to me? More important than my job, my home, my car or my bike? My health. Health and fitness go hand in hand, if you are not very fit, you are not as healthy as you could be. I was treating it as an afterthought, something that could be done at the end of the day if I could squeeze it in if I had the energy. Not any more. My fitness is the #1 priority to me now. Now I get up at 6, go for a run and I’m happy for the rest of the day because I know I’m getting healthier, I’m getting fitter and everything else falls into place.

Set a schedule

Get a calendar. Write down the days you are going to run. And run those days. It is that simple(just don’t tell your brain that). Don’t run too much. Don’t run too little. Never, EVER question the calendar you’ve made. If it says run, you run. Schedule around that calendar. If you’re sick as a dog and can’t walk up the stairs, maybe make an exception. Aside from that stick to the calendar. It’ll be come a habit you’ll never have to think about again.

Have a routine

If you don’t have a routine, every morning is going to be different. It will be hard. You’ll have to get up and think about what you’re doing. If at least the first half of your morning activities are just plain habit, you won’t have to do any thinking until you’re awake. Better yet, make that habit the whole part of your morning and you won’t have to wake up and start thinking until it’s over.

Don’t look outside

You look outside, you won’t want to go out there. Don’t look until you’re already out there and don’t turn back. It doesn’t matter weather it’s sunny, raining, or windy, you should still run. My grade 10 gym teacher always said it builds character to run in the rain. After almost 10 years of running since that, I finally know what he means.

Get some good gear

If you complain about running every time you try, step back and take a reality check. There could be one of three problems.

One: you actually really don’t like running and you should take up a different hobby or sport.

Two: You should try a different running time. My favorite is in the morning. My fitness is the most important thing to me so it happens first.

And Three: Your gear sucks and it makes you really uncomfortable when it’s cold, wet or windy. Solution? Get better gear. There are so many better options out there than cotton t’s and sweat pants. I tend to run in OR Softshell pants, Icebreaker Tops and a light rain jacket. If it’s warm, I’ll be in my favorite shorts and a polypropelene shirt. I highly recommend the Icebreaker clothing. Try and make it smell, go ahead, I dare you. Can’t stand the wool feel? Put it over polyproplene.

Swing those arms

The first thing I tend to do when I get tired is move my arms less. This is the last thing you should do. Your arms keep the momentum going, keep your body moving. When all else false, keep those arms moving.

Rock out with your **** out

Obviously I means ‘arms’, right? In other words, get some good music and rock to it while you run. I find there is nothing more motivating than listening that your favorite song while you’re ripping up the trails.

Don’t die

If you get hit by a car, you’re running career is over. Heck, you might be over. Where something bright and reflective so people can see you. Most people are just as asleep in the morning as you are except they’re trying to operate a motor vehicle. Pay attention to the vehicles and assume they don’t see you. Better to chill and screw up your pace than to try and slow the car down with your head.

Be the biggest loser

My friend, David recommends watching the show The Biggest Loser for some motivation towards your fitness goals. I say BE the biggest loser. Make a contest with your friends. Everyone put 50 bucks in, do a weigh-in, and 4-6 months down the road see who has lost the highest percentage of weight. Works wonders to have some competition.

Comment Rules: Have you tried running in the morning? Do you still run in the morning? When is your favorite time to run?