Currently, I’m plugging away at a 16-week training schedule to run my very first half-marathon in May. It’s been a long road (literally) and some days I’m happy to get out the door. But then there are the days when I can think of nothing I want to do less than pound pavement. As a result, it’s become a crucial part of my training to find ways to convince myself to run when my heart just isn't in it. Whether you’re running in preparation for a specific event or you just want to improve your cardio this spring, here are a few tricks that have helped me to get up and go when motivation wanes. [caption id="attachment_2543" align="aligncenter" width="282" caption="You can do it! Stay focused and try some of these tips when you want to give up."] [/caption]   1. Lie to yourself! If I get home and don’t feel up to running a 8 km stretch I’ll tell myself that I'm just going to change into my workout gear because it’s more comfortable than my office attire. There's nothing to dread because I’m not actually going running. Maybe I’ll just going outside to stretch for a second. I could use some fresh air. Ok, since I’m already here I might as just well go. Get the idea? 2. Get a pusher. Find a friend who has no capacity for sympathy and talk to them first. Of course, everybody loves a bleeding heart but the power of your hard-ass, no-nonsense buddy is being totally underutilized in your workout. If you don’t have one, assign someone the role. My boyfriend has enthusiastically accepted the challenge and has taken to rolling his eyes, handing me my running shoes and ushering me out the door as the excuses start to fly. 3. Talk a big game. If you have a tough run coming up, tell everyone! Brag about your speed and your plans to conquer the grueling task ahead. Put it in your Facebook status or tweet Usain Bolt.  You’ll be less likely to skip if you know people are expecting results and nothing motivates quite like the threat of a good ol’ fashioned public shaming. 4. If all else fails, just don’t sit down. Confession: there have been scheduled runs that I’ve missed because I sat down to eat dinner and just never got back up. The couch can be a powerful force so on the days that you're really wiped stay on your feet and grab your gym bag. Help me out. Do you have any tricks for getting in a workout when you desperately want to skip?