As the miles go by on your morning run, do you find yourself counting the footsteps? Do you start to think, “How much further? I’m already so bored. What to do when running?”
If your run tends to start with enough motivation but gradually leads to these thoughts, you aren’t alone. Luckily, we found the secret to making your runs fun and productive!
Experiment with your training environment
What do we mean by experiment? If you run the same three-mile loop multiple times per week, of course, you’ll be bored with the mundane scenery you are exposed to.
Try to mix it up with a different loop, running your regular loop backward, or even driving to a running trail to get some different air. You can even intertwine your runs on your errands!
Once you’re finished with the grocery shopping, lock up your car and go for a run in that neighborhood. As cheesy as it sounds, the world is your running oyster!
Move towards a goal
Challenge yourself with a destination. If you find a new running trail with a lake, set a goal of running X number of times around the lake.
Choose a different street, hill, or tree to run around. If you usually run on the pavement, try running on a dirt road, grass, or the beach.
Tamper with the tempo
Speaking of variety, if you’ve been used to running at the same pace, mileage, or speed, it is time to mix it up. Tempo runs are a great thing to incorporate when you grow tired of the same pace.
Try sprints, faster jogs, or hill runs mixed with your regular paces, and see how the time flies!
You can incorporate 20, 30, or 60-second intervals. Some other options include finding a stadium to run stairs or a track you have never visited.
Pick a killer playlist
The secret to making time pass while running is to focus on anything but the run. We know it is a challenge, but there are ways to keep things interesting.
As one of the moms in our community said, “I got into running as a legitimate way to escape my family for an hour and have someone read me a story!” And for that, our list of the top podcasts and audiobooks for running will surely help!
There are lists of Spotify running playlists to keep you interested during your short, fast, long, and tempo runs.
Most have music for all tastes, and you may find a song or two that you have never heard!
If you’re usually picky with your genres, maybe now is the time to see how a new one could motivate your feet to move! Try a plucky bluegrass band or an up-and-coming pop country artist
Still undecided? What if we told you that scientific studies have noted many positive effects of music on performance and mood while running?
Find a running buddy
Running with friends not only keeps you accountable but also challenges you to keep up with their pace. Your friend may also know some trails that you have never experienced before.
Plus, it gives you the option to bond with someone on a deeper level since you are both enduring the pain together!
Create a running mantra
This mantra can be something you go back to when things are getting a little too challenging, or you need to distract your mind from the boredom.
A few ideas include:
- Focus on what you can control.
- How badly do you want this?
- I am in control of the outcome.
- The faster I run, the faster I’m done.
- Earn this, work hard, play harder.
- One foot in front of another.
Running apps for you
Download a fun little digital running buddy to take with you! Some well-known apps include:
Couch to 5K
The Couch to 5k app is one of the most popular apps in the running world, and for good reason. It is a great app if you feel stuck in your pace, want to run further, or just want a decent running plan.
Nike Run Club
The Nike Run Club app offers a variety of runs, from simple one-mile runs to 45- and 50-minute runs. Coach Bennett is a rockstar in your headphones, cheering you on the whole time!
Zombies, Run!
Try the Zombies, Run! app to turn your session into a game that takes you through a treacherous path of the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse, giving you missions and stories to listen to while you complete your run.
Run naked
Okay, whoa. We don’t mean quite literally naked.
Run without your phone, watch, or anything tracking you. See how far you can go with just the wind in your hair, feet on the pavement, and sun on your face.
This new experience will spark some new interest in the world around you.
What to do when running: ANSWERED
The reality is that sometimes running can become monotonous, just like anything you do over and over for an extended period.
When wondering what to do while running, consider trying a new playlist, finding a new running buddy or environment, or mixing things up with a different running app.
Getting stuck in a rut is an easy trap to fall into, but don’t let yourself feel like you can’t break free!
Now, what are you doing sitting here? Go out there and test these out!
