Last week I had one of my best long runs ever, and that’s saying a lot for someone who has been at it for 15 years. Everything felt easy and full of joy—the time just flew by. By the end, I had acquired a big boost of confidence.

I also got a jolt of motivation to bottle up and, quite literally, run with. While I (almost) always love getting out and putting in the miles, I now am more excited than ever to train and see where I am headed this coming race season.

I think for everyone, it’s crucial to find that motivating factor. The journey to reach your race goals can sometimes be a long one, whether you are new to endurance sports or an old pro. To keep it enjoyable and to continue making progress, it helps to find your mojo.

So how do you go about that? A few things I would recommend:

•  Incorporate speedwork into your schedule once a week. It will ultimately lead to improvement and with improvement comes motivation to keep progressing.
•  Run a race. The excitement of the crowds, the thrill of crossing the finish line, the sense of accomplishment—all help boost your desire to forge ahead.
•  Find a training partner or group. Having friends to meet for those early morning workouts and to go to races with always makes the journey more fun.
•  When training goes well, tap into that sense of accomplishment. Let it boost your confidence and carry you on to the next step.
•  Share your accomplishments with friends and family. Your enthusiasm will be infectious and they will undoubtedly be happy for you. This extra pat on the back will help propel you forward.

For everyone, the reason for being out there and working hard toward athletic goals is different. But we all can use a shot in the arm every now and then to keep our training moving in the direction we want. By finding and tapping into your mojo, the sky is the limit on where you can go as an athlete.