What motivates you to get out and move everyday? Do you just love to run or walk? Are all your friends doing it and you don’t want to miss out?  Are you working with a running coach and he/she has you on a “plan”?  Is there a big race coming up and you are following a schedule?  Would you feel guilty if you didn’t run or walk?  

For every person who heads out the door for a workout, there is a specific reason.  You have your running “mojo”, the drive inside you which keeps you going, but what happens when you lose your mojo or your motivation? How do you get it back?  

We all go through times when we don’t want to go for a run or walk because we are tired but there are times that we just seem to lose our motivation and reason for doing what we do.  It can happen after a long training season, a bad race, an injury or just life interrupting the plan.  It can make you sad or mad or you just don’t care any more.  Your friends continue to run or walk and you may show up but the feeling isn’t there.  

I wish there was a magic word to say to recover your mojo, but there isn’t and unfortunately you have to struggle through whatever is going on with your running or walking and keep moving to get find your way back.

Change up your habits, if you usually run or walk solo – go with a group, if you always are with people, head out on your own once in awhile.  Challenge yourself with a new race at a new distance or take time away from racing and get back to running or walking for the joy of being outside and moving under your own power.  

Losing your mojo is not an end to your running or walking career, it is just a pause.  You have to find out what will help you to recover your mojo, you have to dig deep and make an effort, you will come out of it on the other side a stronger person and will be able to get back to the joy and pleasure you once had with your running or walking. Try to remember what brought you to running or walking in the first place, go out and run or walk be cause you want to, not because it is an obligation.

The first step, head out the door, go for a an easy run or walk, notice everything around you, empty your mind and let your feet take you where they will.  Let yourself enjoy the moment and let your brain and you body get back to the rhythm and the joy of moving.