We coach athletes in Obstacle Course Racing, Hybrid Fitness Racing, and Tactical Fitness. As I'm sure you know, running is an integral part of all three of these fitness categories. However, many people struggle with motivation to run because they just don't find it interesting.
With that problem in mind, let's look at how to make running fun so that you not only stick to it consistently enough to improve, but also so that you can ENJOY it.
1: Use Your GPS Maps as an adventure tool.
This is a strategy I use a lot. I use a Suunto watch and the Suunto app, but this will work for any GPS watch and app. I'll go on a run around my neighborhood. After the run, I'll look at the map of where I ran. The Suunto app allows you to view your runs over different time periods, so I pull up the month's log and now I can see all of the roads I've covered throughout that month. I make it my goal to fill in as many roads around me as possible. This means that I'm constantly running new routes in different neighborhoods around mine and even running every road that is safe to run. To make it even more challenging, I try to remember where the gaps are and what sections I need to fill in on different routes without looking at the map while running. I've found this method extremely fun and I've even found some cool shortcuts home through different roads if traffic is bad on the main route(s).
2: Playlist Runs.
Create a playlist specifically for an upcoming run. If you want to do a 30 minute run, make a 30 minute playlist of songs you like and randomize them. This will keep you entertained throughout your run as you're never sure which song will come up next and you'll be excited for each song along the way because you chose them all and you like them all.
3: Name Running Routes
This may sound simple, but I promise you, it works. Take a known route that you've run and give it a name that fits the run; maybe how the run makes you feel or something about the terrain on the run, or whatever. For example, there is a 4 mile loop near the house I grew up in that my brother and I call The K-ville Loop. Just giving it a name makes it more exciting. We have the fastest time on that loop logged as well. You can make whatever route you want, label it however you want, and track data along that route to gauge your fitness over time. You can make several of these and have fun with them and challenge other people to try them. It's really fun. It makes it much more personal.
4: Running Shoe Swap
IF you already have multiple pairs of running shoes, then this is for you. If you don't already own multiple pairs of running shoes, I am not advocating for you to buy more. The way this works is this: let's say you normally run on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week. Monday you wear one pair of running shoes, Wednesday you wear a different pair, and Friday, another pair. The changing alone gives you something to look forward to. If you like one pair more than another, you'll be more excited for that run, and maybe you use an older pair for a shorter run and the newest pair for your long runs. It's a simple psychological trick, and it too can help you stay motivated for your runs.
5: Never Be Disappointed
For more experienced runners, this can be a fun trick. Let's say you're about to go for a run, and you're not really feeling it. At that moment, choose a distance (or time) to run that is further than you normally would. Let's say you run a 5K generally. Today, tell yourself it's 5 miles. Now, even if you don't hit the 5 miles, and you stop at 4, you still did more than your normal average. If you hit 5, it's a great feeling and you overachieved compared to your normal work. If you aim high, and miss just a little low, you still did more than normal, and you'll never be disappointed in your performance.
Try some of these strategies! They've worked for me, and they can work for you too. Let me know how it goes in the comments below.
Train hard, train smart, and let us know if you have any questions:
Text: 610-222-7155
Email: info@triofitlife.com
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