Running is fun. Crazy talk, right? If the word running brings back horror scenes from your middle school gym class, bear with me for a minute. Running doesn’t have to be complete torture. If done the right way, it can be rewarding, energizing, and fun. Here are some ideas to make running a fun part of your life:
- Run for a reason. Are you running to lose weight? Are you running to release stress? Are you running as a means to stay connected with your friends? Running for a reason helps you stay motivated and interested.
- Start slow. Running’s hard if you go from couch potato to running a mile. No wonder people think it’s torture! Start slow. Start walking if you don’t already exercise a few times a week. When you’re ready to run, pick landmarks to run to, then walk. Do this a few times in your run/walk session and walk the rest. Let running slowly become easier on your body and only then should you run continuously.
- Find a time that works for you. Do you like exercising in the morning to get you pumped for the day? Or do you like exercising at night to release the day’s events from your brain? Find when you like to run and that’ll make all the difference in your enjoyment of the activity.
- Schedule yourself. Once you find the time of day you like to exercise, book yourself. It’s easy to let outside forces creep in on your “you” time. Defend your time by scheduling yourself.
- Enlist a friend. Running is more fun with a friend. You can enjoy laughs and minutes will feel like seconds. Better yet, enlist a slow and goofy friend…you’ll feel better about yourself!
- Sign up for a 5K. Races are fun. There are so many people who run 5K’s nowadays that there’s no fear in being last. Depending on the race, many people walk (with strollers, dogs and their kitchen sink to boot). Pick a fun charity race.
- Start a Run Tip Jar. Every time you go for a run, put $2 in a Run Tip Jar. After 25 runs, reward yourself with a new running clothing piece or gadget.
- Change up your venue. I love running in a different place all the time. Your neighborhood gets boring if you do the same thing everyday. Change it up by going different routes, different directions or going to a completely different location.
- Play some music. Music is pumping. Play some good music on your run. It’ll feel great to lose yourself to the pounding of the pavement.
- Wear clothes you feel good in. It’s so much better to do things in clothes we look and feel good in. Do yourself a favor and feel good in what you wear while running.
- Keep a running journal. It’s fun to add up your running miles. Nothing feels as good as getting to double digits…except getting to triple digits and beyond!
- Smile. We like activities that make us smile. Smile.
xoxo pia
sparky and well 