5 keys to keeping yourself accountable in training

Even the most dedicated of runners will have stretches in training when they feel a lack of motivation. In these moments, it’s important to have something (or someone) to hold you accountable and convince you to stick with your training, even if you don’t want to. This will help you reach your goals, and looking back, you’ll be happy to have had this buoy in those tough times. Not sure how to hold yourself accountable in training? Here are some tips. 

Run with other people

One of the best ways to find accountability in training is through other people. Whether you run with a buddy or in a group, knowing that other people are waiting for you to join them on a run is a great motivator to get out of bed in the morning, even when shutting your alarm off feels like a better option. If you struggle to stay motivated in training, finding someone to train with is a great hack.  

Tell people your plans

It’s time to become that semi-annoying runner friend who tells everyone their race plans. We’re not saying you have to make every conversation about running, but if you tell your friends, family, co-workers or anyone else in your life that you plan to run a marathon in October, you’ll feel some obligation to follow through. (Most of us would rather just do the training and reach the goal than have to explain that we failed because marathon training is hard.)

Write down your goals

Writing your goals down is a great way to keep track of where you want to be in a certain amount of time. Maybe you want to run a specific time by the end of the summer, or perhaps you’re aiming to run your first ultramarathon before the season’s over. Whatever your goals may be, if you write them down, you’ll always have something to look back to when you’re struggling to find the motivation to get out the door for a run.  

Work with a coach 

Training solo and coming up with your own schedule can be tough. Working with a coach can help in many ways, including the fact that it will give you yet another person who is expecting you to reach (or at least shoot for) a specific goal. A coach will help you create a training schedule that suits your schedule and your temperament, and if you feel unmotivated, they will be there to give you a much-needed boost.

Register for a big race

What better way to hold yourself accountable in training than to sign up for a race that is months away? You’ve put the money down, you’ve told your friends and family to mark the date on their calendars, and now all that’s left to do is train. Registering for a race is an excellent motivator.