Instructions on how to use the door handle

or Fitting some healthy exercise into a busy life

Sometimes the hardest thing about running regularly is actually getting out of the door. This is as true for beginners as it is for experienced runners. However, the experienced runner has developed techniques for dealing with this situation and is not suffering from the problem of doing something new.

The most difficult thing to do these days when planning to start anything new is ?finding time?. We have increasingly full lives with, it often seems, such already impossible demanding pressures we just cannot fit in anything else. If the benefits of running are clearly understood, better health, enhanced energy levels, improved self-esteem, long life expectancy, an improved sex-life, clearer skin (the list is almost endless) then that should make it a high priority and easy to fit into the routine. Unfortunately it is not as simple as that, we often put a big emphasis on what we think we should do and what other people want us to do and feel guilty about doing things that we want to.

The first step is to accept that putting time aside to run is important because it will help you cope better with all the demands that others place on you.

Making run time important is the start of getting out of the door, but people still find it difficult. The experienced runner has learnt over time to work on two things, practicalities and motivation.

Practicalities

Just taking a few simple steps will make it a lot easier to actually make it out of the door.

Kit: If all you running kit is soaking wet in the washing machine you are not going to be heading outside. So make sure you always have clean, dry kit ready.

Soaps: A large number of people manage to watch their favourite soap each week because it is routine. Make your run part of a routine.

Time: Run at a time when you are least likely to have to do something else. If you run first thing in the morning then the run is out of the way before all those time stealing ?emergencies? arise. If you find this too difficult then run straight after work, before the soft settee has trapped you. No sitting down for a quick breather when you get in, get straight out. If you can combine running with something else then you can save time. Running into work or home rather than sitting in a traffic jam is a great use of time. Running in is only really a good option if you live close enough and have a shower to use. But you could take the train or car part of the way.

Friends: Some friends will support you some will try and hinder your attempt to get a fitter and healthier life. This is easier said than done but, try to avoid the negative people and mix with the positive ones. If you can, run with a friend and agree to meet at a specific time. If you are tired and don?t feel like a run not wanting to let you friend down will help you get out of the door.

Motivation

This is a big subject and will be covered in more detail at a later date. Have a goal, something that excites and motivates you and that is personal to you. Make it very real and have a plan of how you will achieve it. That way on a cold Monday morning, when you do not feel like going out, you will not be just missing a jog around the park you will be not following the plan to achieve something very special. That will help you master the door handle and get out onto the streets.