Make Your Run Fun

Russ Cook or some may know him better as “Hardest Geezer” just completed the unimaginable of running from the southern most to the northernmost part of Africa. Now this story appears to be just what some people needed to inspire them to start running. While most of us will never run through places quite like the Sahara or the rainforests of Angola we can still find many lessons to be learned about running from this. We still have ways to make our runs enjoyable and keep us from burning out. Here are some easy tips to make your runs fun and something you look forward to each week

Change It Up 

Running the same repetitive route everytime can really make things feel dull and unoriginal. One way to keep things fresh is to switch it up and find a new route every once in a while. There can be multiple ways to decide on a new route to take. Whether it be just in an opposite direction from where you normally go or possibly finding a trail or park to go to there are plenty of options around. Try to find paths that lead you through nature or away from dense living areas. Picking places you do not normally come across in your daily life to run makes things more intriguing and enjoyable the first time. 

Find a Friend/Group 

Running with a friend or a group always adds to the experience. Just having casual conversation or people experiencing the same things will elevate the experience. Also running with a group or even just one friend helps people to commit long term. 

Choose An Interesting Destination 

Picking an interesting destination is an easy way to make your run fun. Running to an interesting place can create a sense that you are being rewarded at the end of your runs. Associating running with an award and an enjoyable experience is an easy way to turn it into a habit. You can even incorporate this idea into traveling and get your run in even when you are away. 

Race Yourself 

For those of you who are hugely competitive, this one’s for you. Start timing your runs and make it a game for yourself to beat each time. Setting goals and breaking them will build the incentive of running. Mark when you break a specific time for the first time and take track of your progress so you can see how much time you shave off over the days, months, or years 

Set a Challenge 

Whether it be distance, time, a particular trail, or whatever comes to mind giving yourself challenges in running is fun. Take the time to assess yourself and where you are at that point in time and set a challenge for yourself in a given amount of time. It could be things such as shaving a minute off your mile in 2 months or training for a marathon a year away. Setting a challenge will create purpose in the activity and make it a long term project.

Written by GUADS intern Rob