Runner's Training Tips: Why am I fitter? How do I keep it?

I am a generally unfit person, but I go through phases where I run for a few months (until I get bored).  Three times now, I've started from scratch on a beginners running program that takes you from not being able to run a few yards to being able to run for 30mins at the end of 6 or 7 weeks by running 3 or 4 times a week. 

Strangely, this time, after not having run for over a year and a sedentary job, I am running for 40mins at a time (albeit slowly) after just 4 weeks. Why have I managed to go from only being able to run for a minute 4 weeks ago to running for 40 times as long?  Has my brain and muscles remembered that I used to run?  Did the mitchondria not die from last time? Muscle fibres?  I am 43, female and slightly overweight at 159lbs and 5'6" - so not in great shape really.

Each time I've reached this goal stage in the past, I've carried on for a few months and then got bored, an gradually stopped running. What's the best way of motivating myself to carry on for ever?

Fisrt off, I wouldn't suggest going from couch to 1/2 marathon in 3 weeks for anyone but glad it has worked out for borntocry.  

Secondly, I do totally agree that races is the way to keep you motivated.  I started running in April of 2007 after losing 117 pounds the hard way (changing the way I eat and exercising).  I only started running because I knew it was a good way to add more cardio into my working out and I had been doing over an hour of cardio a day for over a year so it wasn't like running was going to kill me.  I started out only doing 2-3 miles but built up over time.  I now run 1/2 marathons and love them but my favorite race distance is still the 10K.  Short enough not to hurt too much afterward and long enough to say I'm a runner! 

Trust me even if you aren't competitive, races will give you a boost you won't believe.  You will not be last, you will run faster than people that look more fit and in better condition than you, and you will feel great afterward because finishing a race boosts those 'happy' cells like crazy.  It's not about beating someone or anything like that, it's about proving to yourself that you can overcome things and this is just one of those things.  5Ks are great and I run a lot of those.  Have a time goal in mind but don't beat yourself up over not hitting it the first time.  You know how fast you run around your neighborhood, etc. but you are going to run faster in a race.  It's just the way it goes, you get out there, you feel good, you see all the other runners and you run better.  Just don't start out too fast because you don't want to burn out too quickly. 

Last year I ran in over 40 races.  Not something I would recommend to everyone but it keeps me going.  I'm currently in week 6 of my 1/2 marathon training schedule for the Shamrock in VA Beach, after that it's Swamp Stomp, then the Covered Bridges half in VT.  I've signed up to do the Rock and Roll 1/2 as an individual pacer to help a new runner complete his/her first 1/2 in the begining of September too.  Then there are all those wonderful 5 and 10ks all spring and summer to keep me on my game.

And trust me, at 5'6" and 159 pounds you aren't in bad shape!   I'm only an inch taller and weigh about the same and look and feel great so don't beat yourself up over that.  I do carry a lot of muscle around these days which causes most people to think I'm much lighter than I am and wear a smaller size than most folks that weigh what I do but everyone is different.  

Good luck and don't give up running.  Through all the pain and problems running is great medicine for anyone.   And most importantly, if you can run a mile, you can run 2 and if you can run 2, you can forever!  

1. Find a running buddy.  Look around. Ask people you think might want to.  You never know!  If you can't find someone to run with, at least find someone to report your success to (and failures)

2. Enter races.  Do it right now.  don't wait until you are "ready".  Sign up, then get ready.

3. Runners world has an option where you can have them email you a Runners World quote of the day.  Everyday in my inbox is a new quote..some I LOVE.  It reminds me why I do it and to keep doing it.  One of my favorites by Sarah Condor, "Remember, the feeling you get from a good run is far better than the feeling you get sitting around wishing you were running"

 4.  TELL people you run.  As soon as people know you do, they ask questions and expect to see you out there.  

"The fact is, whenever you train, you'll always be pleased you did afterwards. ... Runners I work with sometimes tell me they enjoy getting up in the morning to train, because they know they're avoiding the future regret of not training."

So saith a psychologist I greatly admire and respect. Having that quote in the back of my mind kept me from skipping my yoga/strength training the other night, and will keep me going as I continue my 5K training.

At the risk of getting weird looks, the quote is from a hypnosis MP3 aimed at helping runners stay motivated with training (the program is aimed at half-marathon training, but focuses more on the training than on the distance, so I've been using it for my 5K efforts). I've had great success with a variety of the programs available at the site, so if anyone's interested in applying a little well-crafted psychology to the situation, you can view their selection of sports psychology programs here. The thing is, hypnosis helps get your unconscious mind onboard with your goals, easily and naturally enhancing the conscious willpower that isn't always there when you need it.

Or you can think I'm nuts and just ignore me. ;-) Either way, good luck with your training, whether you're running for yourself, for your health, or for a race!