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On motivation and running, below are two questions I'm asked frequently: "How do you stay motivated?" "I can't do that!" I've been asked those questions even more in the past month, ever since I completed a fourth half marathon earlier this month [READ: #RapOnTheRun: Midtown Raleigh Race 13.1 (@Race131) Half Marathon Race Review] and mentioned that I'm training for a second full marathon, the Greensboro Marathon, coming in October. After I blogged in March about some of the challenges I'm facing with getting prepped to run 26.2 miles again [READ: #RapOnTheRun: I Need To Run Faster, I Need To Get Leaner], folks are asking me the "motivation" question even more. I find it interesting because I never considered myself to be a source of motivation for anyone. Mind y'all, I'm just a regular chick who wants to stay active, get fresh air and have fun while doing it. Running allows me to do these things. My training is not perfect. I am not a professional. A lot of my running has been trial and error. Some days are easier than others. There are days when I don't feel like doing anything active. It can be a challenge at times to keep motivation high while maintaining a regular running routine. Below are five small things I do to keep myself motivated to keep on running. 1. I limit using the phrase "I can't". What I mean by this is I try to refrain from telling myself what cannot be done. It's almost as if by saying you can't do something, you are actually making yourself unable to do that something. 2. I take breaks from running. And I don't beat myself up about it. After every race, I take at least one week off with no running. This allows time for the body to rest and the mind to take a break from focusing on training. During training, there are also times where I'll miss a run during the week. You have to listen to your body. If you're extra tired, skip one day and then get right back into the routine the next day. 3. I follow both elite runners and regular runners on Instagram. Scrolling through the Gram and seeing posts from folks after they've finished a run or about to start a run motivates me to keep going. Some of my favorite running folks to follow on the Gram are: @sticrbg : stic.man from the legendary hip hop group Dead Prez @THEENGLISHVEGAN: a vegan ultra-marathoner who lives in the UK @MATTHEWABITBOLRACING: a running coach who has finished 41 marathons & lost 100 pounds in the process @INKED_RUNNER: a regular runner who posts hilarious running related memes.

4. I engage in #RunChat on Twitter as often as possible. Seriously, #RunChat is one of the best communities on Twitter. The group chat occurs every week. It is moderated by David from @RunningBecause and RunningBecauseICan.com and Scott from @iRunnerBlog and iRunnerBlog.com. The cool thing is runners of all levels are welcome to take part. I even won a BSX Insight device via #RunChat earlier this year [READ: #RapOnTheRun: BSX Athletics Insight (@BSXAthletics) + The Goals To Get Fast & Lean]. 5. I take it one day, one run, one recovery at a time. Focusing on one day of training versus thinking about a whole month of upcoming runs is so much easier to handle mentally. Breaking down a lengthy training program into one day increments feels good. Once that one day of training is finished, I can relax a bit and then recover for the next run. When the next day comes, I'm ready to take on the next run. I try to mentally repeat the "one day" mantra almost every day leading up to race day. Before you know it, I have completed a training program by consistently focusing on one day at a time. Keep in mind that no person is perfect. There are many small things you can incorporate into your running routine to help you stay motivated. The above are a few I have found to be helpful. Whatever you decide to do, try out no more than one or two at a time to give yourself a chance to learn which ones work best for you. Y’all can stay tuned to my Twitter (@nancioishiphop), Instagram (@nancioishiphop), Facebook (Nanci O Is Hip Hop) and the blog for all running updates. Like this post? Please take the time to share it with your friends. Thank you. #RapOnTheRun