The weather is finally warming up where I live and I’m definitely excited to get outside. When on the treadmill I’m a big fan of watching virtual runs here on YT. 🌳
Been running the last year almost every other day or so outside, rain, shine, or snow (mostly because I don't have space for a treadmill). I find that going outside and looking at something else than a screen gives you a real mental break. But was just in vacations in Florida and it was NOT flat at all... Talking of motivation to me, running helps me to build that intrinsic motivation. If I can do that run in the cold of winter or heat of the summer, it helps me build that motivation for other things. 🌴🌴
Good job with your last year of running! You’ve definitely built a solid habit! 💪🏽 I agree about running building the motivation to do other things! Nice going! 🤩
Really good analysis Matt! I think every creature has a primordial sense of what it means to be at home or away from home, and sometimes it's just good to get out and wander around. Running outside lets me do that. As for intrinsic or extrinsic, I'm probably extrinsically motivated because I care about my 5k and 10k times, but I think it's less about actually running those races and more about enjoying daily running more when I'm more fit, and that's what they represent to me. I remember what it was like when 6 miles in 45 miles was a standard easy run, even if maybe that wasn't quite as easy an effort as I thought it was at the time. Being leaner and having more leg strength and greater aerobic capacity are good indicators of health generally, but I also want more of that sensation of being mechanically efficient and covering ground.🌳
After reading the part about the sensation of being mechanically efficient, I realize it’s something that’s missing with my running. 😂 It doesn’t change anything for me, but efficient is not an adjective I’d use for myself, no matter how fit I am. I’d say you’re a blend of extrinsic/intrinsic; although you care about your 5k/10k times, enjoying your daily run when you’re fitter just tells me you enjoy your daily runs! 😉
🌵 Intrinsic. I basically run to reduce stress, eat more of the things I shouldn’t (pizza and a pint), and lower triglycerides. Also I don’t mind the idea of being fit at almost fifty and looking at younger dads thinking you need to be in better shape so you can see your kids get married.
🌳 I did my final long run before Desert Rats this past Saturday in howling wind and sleet. There was still snow on Mt Philo. It doesn't contradict any of the points you shared, but listening to them, I was reminded that running outside is often -- for much of the year in fact -- not all rainbows. Regarding intrinsic vs extrinsic, I'm still trying to "earn" my spot to run in the French Alps, so I guess that qualifies as extrinsic. I noticed that after I successfully ran 108k (in the aftermath of a tropical storm) that people were awed by it. I already have a new-found identity of sorts as a distance runner, but that race put me in another league. That may be a contributing reason for me planning to do 100k again this year. And if I do, I will likely enter the lottery for Western States. Oh, speaking of which, my wife got into NYC Marathon in the lottery!! What are the odds? She only entered on a lark to goad the Fates. She has no interest in running that far, but she is turning 50 this year, so it is especially big. Happy Solar Eclipse Day. My house in the path of totality.
Before I even finished reading your comment, my first sentence was going to be asking how excited you are to be in the path of totality! I’m envious! (We just booked an eclipse cruise for the 2026 eclipse off of France/Spain). It’s hilarious your wife got into NYC! I read there was a 4% chance in the lotto. I also read a high schooler has a 5% of being accepted to Yale. 🤣 What a great way to celebrate her 50th! I think the whole intrinsic/extrinsic motivation is skewed for ultra runners like yourself. You may be extrinsically motivated by UTMB and WS100, but you have to put in a lot of work over a lot of hours to even have a shot, and that takes some serious intrinsic motivation!
@@its_Matt_B_ I just did a run over where we are going to view the eclipse. It looks out on the lake and both the Adirondacks and Green Mountains. It is going to be other-worldly. I’ll look forward to your 2026 video!
I am fortunate enough to live on one of the small islands here in Malaysia. The variety of natural terrain that we have(rainforest, beaches, etc.). Typical weather: 32°C/26°C, sunny, 80-90%. humidity.
Cheers, Anne! I imagine being outside in nice weather is even more fun after a winter of wet and cold temps! How was Burlington! I saw some photos in the NYT of the eclipse over Lake Champlain and it looked phenomenal!
Burlington was really special! The sky was clear and we got a good view of the eclipse! The drive home was rough though-lots of traffic, but still worth it!
As a farm boy/farmer for my entire life I am intimately familiar with being outside ..as if living outside wasn't enough I also hunt and fish all over the USA and fair parts of Canada and lived in the Philippines as well..not too much I don't about the benefits of nature..but like many of us that are older than many trees, the joys of cold and arthritis are not quite as cool as they use to be..I can/do run outside from April til November but these days the bitter cold wind has a knack of getting under my hat and neck and really aggravates my arthritis..now I prefer doing my 50-60mi a week on the hamster wheel and watch Japanese bloggers who video their races..there also are people that video their runs all over the world and I can see much of the world thru their experiences..nice subject..😊
I totally get loving being outside, but that there are conditions that make it easier to stay inside. We’re very lucky to have so much content that we can experience every corner of the world (and most races) while we run in climate controlled comfort.
🏕️ Agree, wholeheartedly - exercise outside (walk, run, hike, bike, ski, climb, swim, camp, garden, …) is better than inside; exercise inside is vastly better than no exercise. The reasons are many and surely vary widely by person. So it is good advice, despite the rather pedestrian (couldn’t resist, sorry) argument. Go on now, and get yourself outside; watch continually for hazards, wonders, friends, and discoveries. See you in Boston!
I did a 1 hour 45min half marathon today(unofficial with friends). Afterwards I'm sunburnt and have glasses and headband sunburn lines on my face. Lol. I love running outside. Street running/track running. I feel depressed running inside on a treadmill. I love the sky and breeze. Major+ running outside 🌲
That's a speedy HM! Nice going! How warm was it when you ran? It seems like you have ideal running temps early morning in SoCal but you must have waited until the sun was high in the sky and warm out to get sunburnt!
@@Jay-sd9ye Nice! Especially nice running during the eclipse, although eclipse glasses probably made it difficult to see anything other than the sun! 🤣
@@its_Matt_B_ yess I livid the crisp weather wen I see someone if I do there all with jacks walking but I really don’t see people I didn’t see no one today I love that to that I go running wen no one out I’m in shorts and a shirt that’s it let’s get it I hold my phone in my hand and got my head set let go
Great stuff!! I'm very much extrinsic, running for health and upcoming races. But then I'll hit a motivation low, cover the watch and go run a challenging route on my little local mountain, and rediscover my intrinsic motivation... oh yeah, running is supposed to be FUN! I'm trying to get off the treadmill and into the trails again, but we just got almost 2 feet of snow last week. 🫣 🌴
Ugh! That was some late snow for you guys! Are you planning on going to watch the Boston marathon again? It looks like much better spectating weather this year! Have you ever heard of the Mt. Washington Marathon? It runs from the base of Mt. W to Attitash. It’s on my short list for a fall race.
