If you search the internet for “How to stay motivated when running” you will get loads of similar results on how to keep yourself motivated on your running journey. While you will find loads of different and sometimes rather unique and fun ideas, most lists include the following ideas:
- Set Goals/ Commit to a race.
- Run with friends/ Join a running club.
- Reward yourself.
- Try new routes/ Add variety.
- Log Everything/ Track your runs.
- Listen to music.
- Set out clothes the day before.
Personally, one of my regular enjoyments is a good cup of coffee. I have found that taking a new route to a local coffee shop and having a quality cup of my favourite caffeinated beverage handed to me for my effort (and some coin) adds to said enjoyment. A big bonus about my coffee runs is that the tick two of the above items:
Reward yourself
Who doesn’t love getting a nice warm coffee hug on a run. This is a lovely reward for me personally – and can be a great energy boost if the coffee is consumed mid-run.
Try new routes
I am fortunate to have a loads of independent and franchise coffee stores within 20km (12mi) of my home and many more available from my office, so finding new routes (some with more hills, some closer to do speed repeats, some with a hill at the start, others with the hills at the end) all help keep the run interesting, fun and help with keeping the training interesting.
Log Everything
The last item I highlighted on the list is to Log Everything. This last part started with me running to a nearby place that serves great coffee, recommended by a lovely friend. After the run and the welcomed cup of caffeinatedjoy, my sports watch automatically logged the run on Garmin and Strava, but I renamed the activity to the destination coffee shop and appended this name with the words coffee run and on a final whim I also added the words (Coffee days 1).
This is definitely how traditions start.
I need to be clear, not every run is a coffee run. I do not have the budget to get barista made coffee every single day. That is what makes these coffee runs so special too, they are a personal treat – sometimes for getting out the door on a cold day, sometimes for going that extra mile on a wet day, and sometimes just getting out on the road on a Monday.
Progress – many coffee runs later
To date I have completed 65 coffee runs and continue to use them as fun ways to explore a new area and, if the run is a little longer, I will also likely have my favourite podcast or music playlist keeping my company.
My last note on logging activities is the attached GPS route images in this post – I just love how interesting some of the shapes are that develop from my route choices without actively planning specific Strava art for the destination – although that may be something to do in future, just another mini goal to add to the list to keep motivated.
Do you have any good coffee place suggestions, anywhere in the world – I may visit one day? Do you have any other rewards for your runs? Let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading, have fun and be safe out there.