For many, running is the opposite of fun. The feet pounding the pavement, the continuous pace and the long distances may not seem like an exciting or rewarding workout.
Even though it may not be your favorite form of exercise, running has great benefits. Aside from getting your heart rate up and helping you lose weight, running can reduce stress, build confidence and improve your mood.
We understand getting motivated to lace up those running shoes can be a challenge, but with these tips, you can make your run a little more enjoyable.
Tips For A Fun Run
Enlist a Buddy. Not only will you be more accountable and likely to go through with your run, you’ll have someone by your side to motivate you and share in your celebrations. Having someone there to high five after the end of a rough run can give you that extra push to finish strong.
Play a Running Sport. If long distance running leaves you bored, try a running sport like soccer or basketball. This way, you’re still running, but you’re distracted by the game. At the end, you will have racked up miles without even thinking about it.
Pump Up the Beat. Before you set out on a run, make a killer playlist. By adding songs with higher beats per minute, you’re likely to run with the beat and keep up your pace. Many streaming music services, like Spotify, also have pre-made playlists for different running speeds so you can just hit play and hit the road.
Try Intervals. Running fast and then walking for a bit keeps your run interesting. Pushing yourself for a sprint and then slowing it down helps burn calories by switching up your heart rate. It also keeps your run more interesting instead of maintaining a monotonous pace.
Think About The Future. Instead of focusing on how badly you want to just call it quits while you’re running up that hill, think of how awesome you’ll feel when you finish. When you make it to the top, you’ll look back and see how far you’ve come. There’s nothing that can replace that sense of accomplishment.
Run Pain Free. Making a point to focus on recovery and stretches after you cross the finish line helps make future runs more enjoyable. By using tools like a foam roller to release any buildups on the muscle fibers, you decrease aches and soreness so that you can kill it on your next run.
If pain has been keeping you from your best run, contact Airrosti today to find a provider near you.
Read our Medical Disclaimer here.
