Hey runners, how’s it going? Do you struggle to get out the door sometimes? Do you have days where you lack the motivation to go for a run, grasping at a convenient excuse like it’s too cold, too wet, or too late in the day to go out?
You’re not alone. The problem is, if you continue with this behavior, eventually it becomes easier to just quit running altogether than to lace up your shoes.
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I’ve had multiple health issues over the last couple of years that challenged my will to run. Two heart procedures and a vertigo attack put me on the brink of quitting running altogether.
What pulled me back every time was something simple — discovering my why. Once you know your real why, no excuse in the world is strong enough to keep you inside.
Where This Idea Comes From
Back when I used to work a government job, I was certified in the LEAN method of productivity. This was popularized from Toyota’s approach to building cars. An important part of the LEAN method is determining the root cause of a problem by asking the 5 Whys. The root cause is so important — it is the determining factor, good or bad, for the result you are trying to achieve.
For runners, the root cause of why you run is either your greatest motivator — or the thing you never knew was missing. I found this approach works really well for us older runners to get clarity on why we run and keep that fire lit.
To get started, find a pen and paper and a quiet spot where you can focus.
The 5 Whys Exercise for Runners
Here’s how it works. On your paper, write down the question:
Why do I run?
Your first answer could be something like:
Because I want to stay fit
Because I want to lose weight
Because I want to hang out with friends
Now ask yourself: Why do I want to... (answer #1)?
Example: I want to be fit so I can stay active as I age.
Ask yourself: Why do I want to... (answer #2)?
Example: I want to stay active as I age so that I’m not limited on what I can do.
Ask yourself: Why do I want to... (answer #3)?
Example: I want to not be limited on what I can do so that when I’m 90, I’m not in a home or stuck in a wheelchair.
Ask yourself: Why do I want to... (answer #4)?
Example: I want to not be in a home or a wheelchair when I’m 90 so that I can be there for my granddaughter.
Keep drilling down, asking why five times. What you should discover on the fifth why is the core reason running is so important to you. When I did this exercise myself, what I found on the fifth why completely changed how I think about running.
My Fifth Why
When I did this exercise, I found that my core why was “being there for my granddaughter when I’m 90.” I’ll be honest — I didn’t expect to get emotional doing a productivity exercise. But there it was.
This really hit home for me because having someone else depend on you is a huge motivator. It’s no longer about race times or age group awards. It’s about still being present, capable, and alive for the people who matter most.
Now, if I’m feeling down about my running, all I need to do is look at my granddaughter’s picture — and I’m out the door.
This is a simple exercise that can have profound effects on your running. Find your person, your place, or your dream. Put a picture of it somewhere you’ll see it. Let that be the thing that gets you out the door when nothing else will.
Once you know your real why, no excuse is strong enough to keep you inside.
Give it a try and let me know in the comments — what person, place, or dream is your ultimate motivation?
Have a great week!
-Herb
“Run Smarter, Live Longer”
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