Steal these ideas from sprinter Joey Duck to help you stick with the training...
Lack motivation sometimes to get you to the gym? Olympics 2012 hopeful Joey Duck knows how you feel. At 14 Joey was ranked number one in Europe in her age group at 200m and UK No 1 for the 100 metres, for which she has a PB of 11.60.
Right now Joey, aged 21, is training hard for a place in the Team GB squad for 2012, hoping to compete in the 300m and the relay. She's heading off to Portugal this month for some warmer weather training sessions. Most of us aren't in a position to head south to give our fitness a boost, so how to convince yourself to hit the road when it's chilly or damp? Or even on days when you simply don't fancy it?
Running is Joey's life - she started club running aged 12 - but even she sometimes finds motivation lacking.
'Training is much harder during the winter months in the UK in the rain and the cold. That's when my coach tries to find ways to make it more interesting for me,' says Joey.
Joey's training tips:
- Vary your training. 'Some days I'll do bike training or distance work. Although I much prefer the speed training. I like going fast but I hate jogging!'
- Choose a sport you like. 'I love the feeling of running fast and winning, but if you don't enjoy it, don't do it - choose a different sport.'
- Focus on a goal. 'When I'm lacking motivation, I think about what I'm doing it for. Make sure you have a vision for why you're doing it. It doesn't have to be Olympic gold, it might having a bikini body or getting in shape for a special occasion like a wedding or a birthday.'
- Enjoy your food. 'Biscuits are my weakness so I do indulge,' says Joey. 'But only in small doses; nothing in excess.'
Joey is hoping to be on the track for London 2012 - with the roar of a huge home crowd cheering her to victory.
'I hope as many people as possible apply for tickets. It's something we're never going to see again in London so it would be a big shame to miss out. Tickets for an athletics event would be fantastic, but really I'd urge you to go to any event - when it's in your home town, everything is worth seeing,' Joey says.
To apply for London 2012 tickets visit www.tickets.london2012.com any time between now and 26 April 2011.
