I can count on half a hand how many times this has happened: I put all my running clothes on, right down to my socks and shoes ... and then don't go. But it happened last night. My stomach was turning, my sinuses aching, my head splitting.

instapansy

I don't subscribe to this belief: "I regret that workout, said no one ever".  I've regretted workouts. I've felt worse after a run. And sometimes I throw in the towel and rest instead of slogging out a crappy run that means nothing.

But the line between good rest and wimpy rest is thin. Like I said I don't take many 'unplanned' rest days. I don't throw in the towel on a planned workout unless I know it's about to be unproductive pain. But I very often want to. I can't tell if this will come as a shock to anyone. But there are many days and sometimes the days stretch out for weeks, that I just don't want to run. I don't want to leave my warm couch to tromp my sore little legs around the same 8 mile loop. I just don't.

But of course I do. I run 6 days a week, sometimes twice a day. And the #1 reason I do get my butt out the door isn't very tagline worthy or inspiring.

1. Plan: Plan the week and stick to it. If there's happy hour after work, I know I better be up getting my miles at 5am. If there's a meeting in the morning, I plan a runch. Don't leave workouts to the whim of day, it won't happen. I take the thought out of it... and just do it. (I guess there is a tagline in there)
2. Bribery: I use music as my #1 bribe. Yep, I plug in. Sometimes for days at a time. Running to my own soundtrack is just about the best treat I can think of. 
3. Friends: I say it all the time, "I wouldn't have ____ without you". Meeting friends takes 87% of the work out of running. Just show up and go. As you talk, the miles go by. Autopilot. 
4. Threads: It's not motivating to tromp around in my 3 sizes too big half marathon finishers tee shirts. Sure it works, but I'm most motivated after laundry day when all my Oiselle gear is there, ready to be made into bright outfits. 
5. Competition: I think about who isn't taking the day off. 'nuff said. 

Winter is the pits, it's not my jam. I'm one happy lamp from full on blanket wrapped depression by February 2. But while getting out the door sucks, getting out of bed suuuuucks, and that first mile or two sucks... by mile 4 I'm usually a happy runner. Yes, there are some days from start to finish that all I think is, "this effing sucks. Eff this run." But luckily those days are rare.

What keeps you running?