So the whole reason I started cycling was to improve my hiking. Little did I know that cycling would soon consume my life and leave very little time for hiking. However, when I'm climbing a hill (on my bike) and I want to stop but the goal is to not stop, I picture myself getting to the top of a mountain, which for me is somehow a huge motivator. I think its because growing up I was a couch potato and had never accomplished any great physical challenge. Hiking was the first thing I could "do". I couldn't play volleyball or tennis, or run, but I could hike to the top of 14,000 + ft. mountains. I have some strange inherent drive to get to the top of a mountain and picturing that helps me keep going on the bike.

Running is different, music is a HUGE motivator for me there. I have a playlist on my ipod of music for running that will keep me going. If I don't/can't have my ipod, I'm really good at "listening" to songs in my head. I also use a mantra here, "Stay strong, you can do this". Finally, I try to look to passers-by like I'm fresh and having a wonderful time. Even if I feel like crap, it helps to pretend I don't. Kind of like how forcing yourself to smile when you're sad is supposed to make you feel better.