All of us have days when we don’t feel like running. On some of those days you probably need a day off, due to too much running or other physical activity. But usually this is not the case. The fact is that when we are under stress in life (and who isn’t), the left brain will have dozens of great reasons why we shouldn’t run. They are all perfectly logical and accurate.

Each of us can choose whether to listen to the excuse or not. Once you quickly decide whether there is a medical (or other legitimate reason) why you shouldn’t run, most of the time you’ll conclude that the left brain is just trying to make you lazy.

Thinking ahead will not take any significant time away from your day, and will destroy most of these excuses. You’ll discover pockets of time, more energy, quality time with kids, and more enjoyment from exercise than you thought possible.

The following is a list of excuses that most of us hear on a regular basis. With each, I’ve given a strategy for breaking through the excuse. Most of the time, it is as simple as just getting out the door and getting your feet moving. But overall, you are the captain of your ship. If you take charge over your schedule and your attitude, you will plan ahead. As you learn to ignore the left brain, and put one foot in front of the other, the endorphins start flowing, and the excuses start to melt away. Life is good!

“I don’t have time to run”

Most of the recent US Presidents have been runners, as well as most of their vice-presidents. Are you busier than the President? There are always pockets of time, 5 minutes here, 10 minutes there, when you can insert a walk-run. With planning, you’ll find several half-hours each day. Many runners find that as they get in better shape, they don’t need as much sleep, which allows for a chunk of time before the day gets started. It all gets down to the question, “Are you going to take control over the organization of your day or not?” Once you look at your schedule, you’ll usually discover other time blocks that allow you to do other things. By making time for a run, you will also tend to be more productive and efficient, more than “paying back” the time you spend running. Bottom line is that you have the time—take it and you will have more quality in your life.

“The run will hurt or make me tired”

Aches, pains, and lingering fatigue are produced by YOU. By slowing the pace and inserting more walk breaks, you can eliminate the potential negative effects of most runs. If you have a bad habit of pushing the pace too much in the beginning, then get control over yourself! Walk more in the beginning, and slow down your running pace. As you learn to slow down, you’ll avoid pain and come away from the run with more energy.

“I need to spend some time with my kids”

There are a number of running strollers that allow parents to run with their kids. My wife and I logged thousands of miles with our first child in a single “baby jogger”. We got a twin carrier after our second was born. With the right pacing, you can talk to the kids about anything, and they can’t run or crawl away. Sorry, they don’t have a model for teenagers.

Because we were with the kid(s) in close company, we found that we talked more, and got more feedback than doing other activities together. By bringing them along with you on a run, you become a great role model: even though busy, you take time to exercise and spend time with kids.

“I’ve got too much work to do”

There will always be work to do. Several surveys have found that runners get more work done on days they run. Running produces more energy and a better attitude, and reduces stress. Hundreds of runners have told me that the early morning run allowed the time and generated the mental energy to organize their day better than any other activity. Others said that the after-work run relieved stress and tied up the mental loose ends from the office. Clearly you will get as much (probably more) work done each day if you run regularly. It is up to you to take charge so that you will insert the run into your day.

“I don’t have the energy to run today”

This is one of the easier ones to dissolve. Most of the runners who’ve worked with me, and had this excuse, had not been eating enough times a day. I don’t mean eating more food. In most cases, the quantity of food is reduced.

However, by eating about every 2-3 hours, most people feel more energized, more of the time. Even if you aren’t eating well during the day, you can overcome low blood sugar by having a “booster” snack about an hour before a run. Caffeine helps (as long as you don’t have caffeine sensitivities). My dynamic food duo is an energy bar and a cup of coffee. Just carry some food with you and energize yourself before a run. On trips, I carry packets of Javette coffee concentrate so that I can have a cup of coffee almost anywhere.

“I don’t have my running shoes and clothes with me”

Take an old bag (backpack, etc.) and load it with a pair of running shoes, a top for both winter and summer, shorts and warm-up pants, towel, deodorant, and anything else you would need for a run and clean up. Put the bag next to the front door, or in the trunk of your car, etc. Then, the next time you are waiting to pick up your child from soccer, etc, you can do a quick change in the restroom and make some loops around the field.

“I’d rather be sitting on a couch eating candy”

Ok, now it’s time for your “test”. What is your response to this type of message?