incentivizing running w/ a return
May 2, 2018 10:56 AM Subscribe
Can you help me incentivize my runs to challenge myself? Can I make a running bank deposit, and get a payback when my GPS says so?
I ran my 4th half marathon last Sunday, and PRed by 5 minutes and some change (finished a little over 2:07). I am not the fastest runner, but I also feel like I need things like this to make me show up, and push myself.
I have never missed a race, but I’ve certainly missed personal runs. I am a lazy runner. Sunday showed me that I am capable of doing more and pushing myself more. But without the incentive of a grownup medal at the finish (that I paid for 11 months prior), I lack the drive and discipline.
Other than races, what are some things that I can do to incentivize my runs? Buying myself something nice when I finish my goal doesn’t work. I need something like a deposit - to pay for up front, and get a return only when I complete my goals. Does something like this exist? Is there an app for that?
I ran my 4th half marathon last Sunday, and PRed by 5 minutes and some change (finished a little over 2:07). I am not the fastest runner, but I also feel like I need things like this to make me show up, and push myself.
I have never missed a race, but I’ve certainly missed personal runs. I am a lazy runner. Sunday showed me that I am capable of doing more and pushing myself more. But without the incentive of a grownup medal at the finish (that I paid for 11 months prior), I lack the drive and discipline.
Other than races, what are some things that I can do to incentivize my runs? Buying myself something nice when I finish my goal doesn’t work. I need something like a deposit - to pay for up front, and get a return only when I complete my goals. Does something like this exist? Is there an app for that?
There's an app/game called "Zombies, Run!" which gives you little plot points to achieve with your runs. Like take medical supplies to X, or escape a breakout of zombies, etc. One of my friends uses it; the updates on social media are sometimes pretty funny. (I have not used it, but the motivation seems to work for their purposes.)
posted by seanmpuckett at 11:12 AM on May 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 11:12 AM on May 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
Something to help might be something that nicely visualizes and/or social elements.
For me, I have a Garmin, so I have the Connect app to be able to view my run stats. And it has the best graphs/data for any individual run (IMO). I'm also on strava for the social element (with the local runners and there's a mefi group too). I'm also on smashrun because I like the way it displays aggregate data (e.g. the main overview page with all of the months listed, and the per-year overview page which displays all of the days. If you run 6-7 days, those weeks look drastically different from 3-4 runs/week. This alone helped me realize a few months ago that while I thought I was being consistent, I really wasn't. My excuse of "I'm busy this week" was actually more regular than not. The rankings for smashrun also include a "dedicatation" category (days run per 4weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks, last year).
A large note on all of that, sometimes you shouldn't run (too much volume for where your training is, or injury / pending injury). Any system that rewards running can work against your long term interests during the times you shouldn't run.
posted by nobeagle at 11:16 AM on May 2, 2018
For me, I have a Garmin, so I have the Connect app to be able to view my run stats. And it has the best graphs/data for any individual run (IMO). I'm also on strava for the social element (with the local runners and there's a mefi group too). I'm also on smashrun because I like the way it displays aggregate data (e.g. the main overview page with all of the months listed, and the per-year overview page which displays all of the days. If you run 6-7 days, those weeks look drastically different from 3-4 runs/week. This alone helped me realize a few months ago that while I thought I was being consistent, I really wasn't. My excuse of "I'm busy this week" was actually more regular than not. The rankings for smashrun also include a "dedicatation" category (days run per 4weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks, last year).
A large note on all of that, sometimes you shouldn't run (too much volume for where your training is, or injury / pending injury). Any system that rewards running can work against your long term interests during the times you shouldn't run.
posted by nobeagle at 11:16 AM on May 2, 2018
Best answer: Stickk is a site that allows you to deposit money and then get it back if you achieve a goal. If you don't, they give the money away to a charity you choose. You can even choose an "anti-charity" - a place that you don't want to get your money. Those come in matched pairs, such as Americans United for Life and NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation, so there's almost certainly one you will disagree with.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 11:17 AM on May 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 11:17 AM on May 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
I think Mr.Know-it-some has it: use the power of disincentive as incentive—the threat that if you don't get your runs in, you will lose money to a cause you oppose. Number One did this for weightloss.
posted by mumkin at 2:10 PM on May 2, 2018
posted by mumkin at 2:10 PM on May 2, 2018
In addition to what seanmpuckett said above, Zombies, Run has a gamification element: you get supplies and equipment to use in building your township up so it can support more refugees and defend against more zombies.
Additionally, ZR is an ongoing fictional series, so the more you run, the more you learn about the storyline. It has recognizable distinct characters (although it helps to be comfortable with a range of UK-based accents), shocking twists, and cliffhangers.
It's not as good as getting a donut every time you finish a run, but it is entertaining, and it has built-in interval training ("Zombies detected, 100 meters," is a phrase that will kick your heartrate up).
posted by suelac at 2:24 PM on May 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
Additionally, ZR is an ongoing fictional series, so the more you run, the more you learn about the storyline. It has recognizable distinct characters (although it helps to be comfortable with a range of UK-based accents), shocking twists, and cliffhangers.
It's not as good as getting a donut every time you finish a run, but it is entertaining, and it has built-in interval training ("Zombies detected, 100 meters," is a phrase that will kick your heartrate up).
posted by suelac at 2:24 PM on May 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
Smashrun gamifies running with badges. Would that work for you?
posted by brianogilvie at 10:16 AM on May 3, 2018
posted by brianogilvie at 10:16 AM on May 3, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
I buy myself the thing and then give it to an understanding friend to hold hostage. I pay the ransom by doing a certain number of undesirable things. "I have to go running today" is boring. "Cher Horowitz is trapped in the trunk of my best friend's Prius, I have to save her!!!" is hilarious and highly motivating.
posted by Snarl Furillo at 11:11 AM on May 2, 2018 [2 favorites]