Built on Routine

Just Another Runner’s Perspective December 2025 Written By Gale Fischer  

Built on Routine

“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.”

—-Jim Ryun

12/8/2025: I walked out of the dentist's office and braced myself as a cold blast of arctic air greeted me. It was 5 PM, with only another 20 to 30 minutes of daylight remaining before darkness settled in. I came prepared, having changed into my running clothes before I left work 90 minutes prior. I was a little out of my element as I strayed from my normal itinerary of running at 4 PM, immediately after school each Monday afternoon. With the change in time, the frigid temperatures, the snow-covered roads, and the sunset coming soon, I had been dreading tonight’s run the entire day. I turned right out of the parking lot with choppy strides, and a few minutes later, the lack of motivation that I had been experiencing instantly dissipated. 

The feelings associated with running always seem to come in a mixed bag. For any given run, one’s mind goes back and forth between eager anticipation to start the run and contrasting sentiments of trying to find the ambition to get going. There may be moments of physical discomfort during the initial phases of any given run, but soon muscle memory will kick in, with both the mind and body embracing the familiar stimulus that runners come to appreciate and become comfortable with through weeks, months, and years of running. Every run seems to offer an array of emotions, including moments of peace, periods of excitement, flashes of frustration, and occurrences of discomfort. Despite this disparity in emotion, the routine that comes with running can provide predictability to ease the not-so-pleasant parts of the sport, making the experience bearable, enjoyable, and extremely satisfying. As much as runners look forward to each run and live for the experience of every mile, there always seems to be a sense of relief when the run is finished. This feeling of relief will soon pass and be replaced with eager anticipation for the next run. 

My running journey began more than a quarter of a century ago. One thing that has helped to feed my passion for running through the years is that each run and every accompanying mile can offer a varied experience. The same stretch that I have run hundreds of times provides a different memory for each run. Some of these experiences are unique, with scenarios specific to each particular run. Examples of these encounters when running a familiar route might include a memorable interaction with a dog for one run, running the same section in an unforgettable downpour, or a monumental sighting of a rainbow in the distance on another day. Many features of a particular route are there to observe every day; however, each run brings with it a different lens and an opportunity for a different perspective to notice something for the first time that had always been present for each run. 

As satisfying as it is to take in varied perspectives and experiences is for each run, the routine and familiar circumstances associated with running are what get me out the door on days when I’d rather just stay inside. As intoxicating as running is, it is never easy physically, and oftentimes challenging to deal with mentally. The daily routine of our sport has the potential to block out the challenging aspects, allowing it to be more manageable. Muscle soreness, labored breathing, and exhaustion are common symptoms experienced while running, but the physical and mental familiarity that comes with the miles accumulated over the years helps to overcome the not-so-pleasant symptoms of running. At times, it seems like a contradiction with the undesirable byproducts of running challenging each runner, while the endurance built over thousands of miles can make it feel like a simplistic task requiring little effort. 

Through my years of running, I have adhered to different schedules, with each remaining consistent for months and even years at a time. My weekly running calendars have been developed to fit into my family and career commitments as well as personal preferences. What makes running convenient compared to many other activities is that it can happen almost anywhere and at any time of day, so if circumstances prevent me from running on a scheduled day or at a scheduled time, I can easily squeeze it in at another time. 

Having to hold off my Monday run until after my dentist appointment had left me teetering a little bit on the edge all day, knowing my plan for the day would be disrupted. This subtle feeling of agitation quickly faded away, however, a few minutes after starting my run. The physical and mental familiar sensation of running quickly put my mind at ease with the disruption of my regular 4 PM run, blessing me with a not-so-familiar perspective of running in the dark through neighborhoods with yards and houses decked out in holiday fashion. The contrast of familiar stimulus and fresh perspective provided a perfect ending to a Monday.

 Many among us may fall into a predictable pattern with our running, but this pattern is never set in stone. Certain conditions might keep the most diehard runner from participating in other activities. Sore muscles, weather extremes, and jam-packed work and family schedules might drain any motivation for other endeavors, but for the passionate runner, few obstacles stand in the way of a running routine. This routine perhaps makes life better when running, but also creates a void with time taken away from running.

Until next time, this has been just another runner’s perspective.