Values are principles that guide our decisions and motivate our actions. They are at the core of our running journey, helping us make decisions that bring us closer to our goals.
Like skills, values can be learned and developed, so do not get frustrated if you don’t have any yet.
Here are 9 core values to help you cultivate a lifelong running habit.
- Self- Discipline
Self-discipline is your commitment to your running goals. To have great discipline, you need good, compelling reasons for running.
Why do you run?
Your reason will give you a goal to work towards, and a goal will provide you with direction and motivation to run every day.
Related: 9 Reasons to Run that Hold Endless Motivation
2. Commitment
Commitment is running even when you don’t feel like doing it.
To keep yourself running for a long time, even when you don’t feel like it, incorporate fun aspects like:
- Running with a group/friend
- Registering for a race
- Buying comfortable running gear
- Running outside in nature.
- Scheduling specific time for running. For example, I’ll run outside at 6.00 am for 30 minutes.
3. Self- Honesty
Honesty is being vulnerable with yourself and recognizing when you need change or help.
Self-honesty in your running journey may sound like this:
I’m having difficulty running regularly, or I feel insecure about running outside. When you recognize these feelings, you start to find solutions, which leads to a happy, long, and fulfilling running journey.
4. Patience
Running daily or even completing a tough run is not automatic. It requires practice and patience.
Patience is finding comfort in knowing you’ll achieve your running goals as long as you show up to run regularly.
5. Courage
Courage is summoning the strength to run, even if it’s scary and difficult. It is running outside even if you’re self-conscious, running alone even when scared, or pushing through a painful run.
Related: How to Reduce Anxiety, Pain, and Boredom when Running Outside
6. Consistency
Consistency is repetition. When there’s no motivation, you focus on putting in those reps.
Also, consistency does not mean running 5km every day. It means showing up for all runs because even a 1km run is better than no run.
7. Positive Attitude
Is your attitude positive or negative when your knees start burning from running?
It is easier said than done, especially during that time, but training your mind to love and expect the pain, you know, to think positively, will transform you into a powerful lifelong runner.
Related Post: How to Make Running Easier on Your Mind, Lungs, and Knees
8. Resilience
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from a difficult running experience. It means showing up to run tomorrow even if today’s run was challenging, getting back to running after injury, or starting a running routine again after the last one failed.
Cultivate resilience in your running, and you’ll be unstoppable.
9. Teamwork
If you haven’t already, join a running group. You don’t have to run with them every day, but there will come times when you will need them.
Some of those times are when you feel like your running routine is getting boring. Running with a team will bring back the fun you’re missing.
Also, running together helps you become a better, stronger, and more seasoned runner.
Now I’d like to hear from you.
What other values do you swear by that are helping you make running a lifetime sport?
Let me know below in the comments.
Read This Next
2 Simple Ways to Build Self-discipline to Run Daily
How I Run 2km Daily Without Stopping
12 Little Secrets to Make Running A Habit