I guess I stay motivated and stick to the plan because I "want" to run instead of feeling like I "have" to run. I enjoy running outside. I've come to enjoy the indoor cycling because it allows me to watch TV I otherwise wouldn't have time for. So one trick I use for indoor cycling is that is the only time I'm allowed to binge watch shows on
Amazon Prime, Nextflix or Hulu. Want to know what happens in the next episode, better get on that bike to find out. The strength workouts are enjoyable because I do most of them with my wife and it motivates her to work out when she has a partner. My first exercise love is running. But I've come to love indoor cycling because of the TV reward and strength workouts because of the time I get to spend with my wife. I make it a priority in life such that somedays a 2 hour bike ride needs to start at 3:30am before I head to work because when I get home I won't have enough time to complete it before heading back into town to pick my wife up from the closing shift. And I get up to do that because I know when I toe the line, all that hard work will pay off on race day.
My training plan is well diversified so it feels fresh and challenging throughout. I relish the easy run days, enjoy the speed work, and accept the challenge of tempo days. I look forward to seeing what my body can do next. Training in the heat can be a challenge. Although thankfully it has mostly dissipated here in WI and wasn't nearly as bad as last year's constant T+D in the 160s. But when the high T+D was here, I'd just slow down, run at the same effort and not necessarily worry about how much slower I might be.
For me, I cherish the opportunity to run, or to cycle, or to strength workout. Because I know that at any moment that gift of having the time or physical ability to do so can be taken away. And I want to know when that time comes (hopefully not for a long time) that I no longer can do this, that I did everything I could during the time I could still do it. I also know that my bad habits can lead to an early grave as my Dr put it back in 2012. So I continue to put in good work so that I can lead a fruitful and fulfilling life with my daughter and lead by example. The 2012 me would have never be able to run around and coach K-1st grade Flag Football, heck I could barely walk up the stairs without being winded. But 2019 me can and enjoys every moment of that with my daughter as a lifetime experience.