Using Removable Chalkboards for Running Motivation

Ask your school age child, spouse, or roommate to draw you a motivational poster! (I drew this one myself.  Bet they can do better.)

I love thinking about ways to keep myself motivated when I’m running.  This is because I love the idea of running before I start, or from minutes 15-20 of a run, or for the first thirty seconds of an interval when it feels like I’m flying.  (I do about one interval workout every two months.  That’s why I’m so fast.)  I don’t always love the idea of running when I’m doing it.

Part of motivating yourself is connecting the desires, beliefs, and will-power of the stationary you with the desires, beliefs, and will-power of the running you.  (Running me has a pretty weak spine sometimes.)  I think getting pumped before you run and giving yourself something that you’re going to think of when you want to stop short of a reasonable goal is a great idea.

Enter removable chalkboards.

I’m kind of obsessed with removable chalkboards – I found some called “Wallies” on Amazon and I’ve been using them all over.  I find them better than chalkboard paint because I can stick them on the fridge, put them up and take them down without re-painting, and re-position them if they’re not working for me.  I have them on the fridge to help with meal planning and inventory, I have one on a kitchen cabinet for our family to-do list and message board, I cut them up and used them to label the drawers in Will’s closet so he can pick out his own clothes easier.

Recently, though, I realized that they’d be a great tool for running motivation. Here’s some ideas for how to use them:

Hang one where just you will see it:  Put one up in your closet and write yourself messages that make you laugh, smile, or put your game face on.  Be creative.  Have fun with it.

Sometimes the power of writing it down makes it easier to stick to your goals and remember your strategies on a run.

I NEVER do this myself, but I could see why someone would 😉

Recruit your family: You could even put one up in the mudroom or entry-way where your family can see it, and write messages asking them to talk to you about your run for accountability.  Ask THEM to write you funny messages about why you should go out and run today.

Put up some extra chalkboards as race day approaches! Near race day, you could even put up some extra ones that you’ll take down later since they’re removable.  Use them to keep track of your race-day checklists and calm your nerves.

Keep track of short term goals: You could use it to keep track of your running goals, or remind yourself of rewards for completing them.  Give yourself something new to think about each time you face a challenge during your run!

Be your own motivation coach: You know yourself better than anyone.  You know how many times you’ve faced challenges and made it through, you know what motivates you, you know why you started doing this in the first place.  Remind yourself of why you started, why you want to work hard today, and why there’s a ton of evidence that you CAN do this.

What keeps you motivated on your runs?  I’d love to hear about it!

Other posts you may enjoy:

Do You Have a Running Bucket List?

Fear: My New Motivator

Confidence Builder: Learn to Recover Without Stopping