Inland Empire Running Club (IERC)

Coaches Panel on MotivationIERC Coach Reggie Thomas leads a discussion with two other coaches, Mario Velarde and Chuck Thompson, on motivation for running during this pandemic. The coaches discuss the physiological and psychological benefits of continuing to run, strategies for staying motivated, and how to structure your running when there are no races coming up.Physiological and Psychological Benefits of RunningBenefits of running and exercise in general include maintaining strength, happiness, feeling better about yourself, stress release, exercise adds years to. your life, better sleep, better immune system health, increased metabolic rate, bone density. Maintaining fitness now means you’ll be ready when races start back up; getting started again after a long layoff can be difficult.Strategies for Staying MotivatedFind someone to keep you accountable, share your progress and engage with running friends on social media, control external distractions when you can , be patient and start slow if you’re getting started back up, surround yourself with positive people who will encourage you, identify why you run. If you’re in a rut, try something new, and then you’ll come back to running with renewed vigor.How to Structure Running When There Are No RacesDo whatever you feel like doing as long as it’s something, find a weekly routine and stick to it, put something down on paper. Set a weekly time trial to make it a small goal each week. Get a group of friends to follow the same training plan: use the IERC training plan, another one you find online, or from a coach. If getting back into running, start small - little steps.Contact Our CoachesTo get in touch with any of these coaches, find them on Facebook in Chino and Chino Hills, or send us a message to request their email address.