Experienced runners know that it’s important to celebrate milestones. If you haven’t recently taken a step back and thought about how far you’ve come, now’s a great time to think about your running progress.
Celebrating your running progress will not only help you appreciate how far you’ve come, but it will also keep you motivated to maintain your running habit. Whether you just finished a big race, ran double digits for the first time ever, or have been running on a consistent schedule for a few months, there’s always something to celebrate. Here are some ways you can pat yourself on the back about your running progress:
1. Buy yourself some new running gear.
Treat yourself to some new running gear, such as a new shirt or running socks, as a reward for your hard work. Or maybe you need a post-run pampering item, such as a foam roller. The treat will make you feel energized, and reinforce your commitment to your training.
After all, who doesn’t look forward to wearing that new, cool-looking running gear on a long run? If you don’t need any new gear, a massage or pedicure is always a nice reward. Plan a running treat for yourself.
2. Run in a completely new location.
I coach runners in New York City and we run over a lot of bridges during our long runs. Not only are the views spectacular when you’re running across the Brooklyn Bridge, but the runners feel an incredible sense of accomplishment by running from one borough to another.
Running in a new location will be a reminder of how much you can experience through running. Treat yourself to some new views, even if it means having to drive someplace to get to your run destination.
3. Tell someone you know will be proud of you.
Sharing your achievement with someone will make it more real. Whether it’s your running buddy, your significant other, or your mom, tell someone you can safely brag to about your most recent running accomplishments.
4. Start calling yourself a runner.
I frequently hear people say they’re not “real” runners, even though they been running regularly for a while. You don’t need to sub-7:00 miles or run marathons to be a real runner. If you run regularly — no matter what pace or distance — you can proudly call yourself a runner. Start embracing the title!
5. Give yourself a running memento.
Treating yourself to a special keepsake just for runners such as a running medal holder, necklace, or race bib album is a great way to acknowledge your achievements. Every time you look at it, you’ll be reminded about how far you’ve come and how you can keep going with your running habit.
6. Mentor a new runner.
One way to show yourself how far you’ve come is to share your running knowledge and experience with others. If you have a family member or friend who’s expressed an interest in running, ask her if she’d like to join you for a run (at her pace), needs help shopping for running shoes and gear, or maybe even wants to train for a race together.
Not only will helping a new runner allow you to see and celebrate your progress, but you’ll also get a motivation boost and you may gain a new running buddy.
7. Plan your next race.
Committing to a race is a perfect way to pat yourself and give yourself a confidence boost about your running. It also helps get over any post-race blues you may be feeling after completing a big race, like a marathon. Pick a fun race that you’ve done before or perhaps always wanted to do and see if you can get some running friends to do it with you.
