Running is a popular sport these days because it is easy to practice anytime and anywhere with no fitness equipment required (except running clothes and shoes).
But when you just run, it will be very boring and unmotivating, which becomes difficult for you to maintain your daily jogging routine. Here is a guide on how to make running more fun.
Start With Simple Running Plans
Don't try to imitate the running plans of the others (especially experienced or pro runners) when they are not suitable for you.
If you’re a beginner, start with simple and easy ones, practice regularly to let your body adapt. Remember to adhere to the "10% rule" – which means you should just increase the volume of your running distance by 10% compared to the previous one.
“Run slow to go faster” is the motto of this sport.
Listen To Music While Running
Listening to music during a run is science-proven to significantly lift up the runner’s motivation to hence enhance the overall training results.
Vibrant rhythmic music stimulates you to exercise more rather than soft and gentle music.
The songs moreover keep you from getting bored while running to complete your daily running goal. It is recommended to turn on the speakers if you run at home with a single-function treadmill or wearing sports earphones if you run outdoors.
Run With Your Dog
Recent studies have shown that pet dog owners often have more sports activities and healthier lifestyles than people with other pet species.
The reason is that dogs often love to walk or run, they will have a positive influence on their owners. Instead of just going for a light walk, go for a run with your dog.
This little friend will surely also be a special motivation for you to practice harder and have more fun.
Find A Running Partner
Running or walking at home with a multi-function treadmill has the biggest advantage of providing private moments, and you can completely decide your fitness goals.
But sometimes, this is what makes it difficult. You find it hard to maintain a running routine.
To overcome this, try inviting friends or family members to join you to make your workout more exciting and fun.
Not only for motivation, when running with your family or a group of friends, you will often make specific plans and schedules for the group, which will help your practice be less boring, more effective.
More sweat, more fun!
Hold Some Small Running Races
Daily running makes you feel bored because it is not competitive like other sports, so why not make yourself fun on your run with a few small races?
If you often run alone at home on a treadmill, set a few goals, and when you reach each of them, reward yourself with some kind of reward.
If you run outdoors, invite a group of friends, then organize running races and surprise prizes – which is another great way to add excitement to your weekly running workout.
In addition, a simple form like a self-timer to calculate how long it takes you to get home the fastest will also help you discover and experience more interesting things.
Join A Running Race
Participating in a running race is more than simply running a long distance and hoping to reach the finish line. More than that, this is a great opportunity for you to meet many new friends who share the same passion for running.
Here, you dare to step out of your comfort zone and become a better version of yourself. And who knows, maybe your story will become an inspiration for others.
If you are a beginner, do not hesitate to register yourself for a running race with a short running distance.
Once the running skills and physical health are upgraded, increase the difficulty gradually.
What you will soon find out is that what you conquer isn’t the numbers 5, 10, or 21 km anymore, but yourself.
Try Combining With Other Sports
Combining running with other sports not only makes you feel happier and less boring but also helps you burn calories in more different ways. As a result, it makes your body muscles develop more comprehensively. Accepting change will make your exercise more fun and effective.
Take Before And After Photos
I find this trick is very effective for people who run to lose weight or to tone up their body shape.
Take photos right from the start, set daily running goals to achieve, and after every week, take photos of your body. After a month, review your running plans and see how much your body shape/bodyweight has changed.
This is also a great way to let you know if you’re following the right running plan or if there is anything needed changing to perfect it.
Conclusion
I hope that the above article gave you some great ideas to make running more fun and exciting to keep up your routine and get healthier. If you’ve got any other tips and tricks, please share them with me. Follow my blog for more interesting posts regarding sports, fitness, and health.
Thanks for reading!
Nancy Lang
