Over the last 15 or so years that I've been running, I've come to rely on certain pithy statements/mantras. Mostly they just help me stay motivated—to get out of bed on a cold day, to take that run when I'm feeling tired or uninspired, or to plow through the last mile of a long run. (Full disclosure: This morning, NOTHING could wrench me from my warm bed, as the temperature in New York City was barely 40 degrees. I totally ignored my alarm clock and feel a bit guilty now. Fall. Is. Officially. Here—and winter is coming!)

Anyways, here's a few that I count on to keep me going, below. Obviously, they are sort of running-specific (and for a few, I thank the readers of Runner's World ) but they can be tailored to any exercise or exercise regime.

*There will come a day when you cannot do this. Today is not that day.
*I've never regretted going for a run, but I have regretted skipping one. [Eek, see paragraph one...]
*If you'd have gone for that run when you first started thinking about it, you'd be home by now.
*Nothing in the world can take the place of persistance. [Gracias, Calvin Coolidge]

For some more mantras, click here.

And since I'm always looking for new fuel for my fire, I'd love to know what keeps you motivated—whether it's to work out, to eat right, or just to do something that's not always easy? I'll post the most inspiring ones!

Photo from Flickr