5 Rules to Consistent Running

Consistency is the magic sauce for running success. If you can’t seem to get it together or keep it together, here are five rules to consistent running. Follow them for happier, easier runs, more injury-free miles, and the success you want.

5 Rules to Consistent Running

1. Never miss two runs in a row

You can skip today’s run because it’s rainy, because you’re busy, because it’s dark. But next run, you’ll have to run – even if it’s raining, even if you’re busy, even if it’s dark.

This rule keeps one skipped run from being a landslide of “wow, has it been a month?”

Consistent running is the magic sauce to enjoying and succeeding as a lifetime runner. Here are 5 hard and fast rules to finally achieve a running habit.

Even in the rain

2. Create anchor days

There are some days that it’s hit-or-miss whether you can run. Those days are usually Monday… and all the following workdays. But if there is a day that you can consistently run, make that your anchor day.

The rest of the week might have gone to crap, but you can run that day, and you will.

This rule keeps you coming back. No matter how many other days you’ve skipped.

Track Thursday, anyone?

3. Running gate

Take your favorite thing, and put it behind a running gate.

Run before video games. Jog before TV. Workout before your glass of wine.

It can just be a run around the block, but you have to do it. And if not, no big, you just don’t do that other thing either.

This rule keeps running in the mix with your entire lifestyle.

4. Don’t make an excuse. Solve the problem.

If you use an excuse twice in a row, it’s a problem that needs solving.

Too busy? Cut an obligation, meal prep, organize your time, drop or reduce things that burn you out
Can’t find the time? Try early morning, lunch breaks, or night-time
Can’t recover fast enough? Do easy jogs or walks
Not motivated? Find an accountability partner or sign up for races (and not ones months away)
Not sure what workout to do? Hire a coach, research running science, follow a plan

This rule doesn’t let you sit in denial that “you’d run if…”

5. Etch your running days in stone

Don’t say “I’ll run four days this week,” or even “I’ll run four of these possible five days this week”. When you do this, every day is a game of “Should I run?” You’ll spend your week wishy-washy and your consistency WILL suffer.

I’m guilty of this too. I’m guilty of this now.

Instead, name your running days and keep them.

This rule gets you out of the mindset of “Should I run?” and into the mindset of “I’m running today.”