Ihave pretty good motivation to get out on a daily basis and enter the races- I am searching for ideas on motivation to put in the effort to improve... Maybe later some actual guidance/coaching on how to improve.

http://www.peakscoachinggroup.com

Yo nomarathonpain,

I think that having goals for improvement are critical to staying motivated to train.  Sometimes running with people who are a little faster than yourself will do the trick.  However, having coached a lot of runners I've found that picking new events or setting higher goals is key to improvment.  Then get the best advice you can on achieving your new goals.

Keep it Fun and Funky!

Gill

Hi!

The best tip I can give as far as improving, is to develop different gears.  That means getting away from the-same-pace everyday runs.  Building in different effort levels will do miracles to your pace and really help you improve.  As far as what "different gears" means, you can base it on heart rate or effort level.  Find your easy gear (VERY easy), your cruising gear (your regular pace), your M gear (marathon pace), your tempo gear (5K pace) and your all-out gear.  If you are not a fan of checking your pace or thinking too much, just go by effort, and pick days where, for part of you run, you decide to pick it up.  You muscles will learn what you teach them to... so improvement comes with changing your effort.  If you need more info, I'd be happy to write a blog article on the subject, or you can ask me specific questions at getmovingcharlottesville@badtothebone.biz

Hope this helps, at least in theory!
 

Motivation is very simple for me.  I am out to have fun and expand my life through activity and set some goals for many aspects of my life.

I have some Goals that are SMART.

S- Specific  (I will run a marathon)

M- Measured or Mapped ( I have a training plan mapped out to complete the 26 mile race)

A- Achivement is a challenge but not mundane (I will run 26 miles and I am 300 pounds)

R- Realistic   ( I will run 26 miles= realistic   I will win a marathon= not realistic)

T- Timed     ( I will run the _____ Marathon on this date.)

Having the goals and a plan to follow is in getting my butt up and out.

Having a Good Plan to follow is a matter of finding an expert- Coach, book, website.

What is the number 1 thing to do to stay motivated?

1) Fitness Goal

2) Plan

3) Schedule

4) Workout partner

5( ?????

I think I can only commit to one- what should it be?  Maybe do the others later.