Do you run because it's good for you but you don't particularly enjoy it? I used to be one of you. I struggled to wake up at 6 AM every morning and hit up the treadmill, still half asleep and fully disillusioned. Then I began tweaking the small details around my run. All of a sudden, it became enjoyable. Here are five ways to make running feel less like a chore and more like play time.
1. Stretch for ten minutes. When you're done, stretch some more.
Stretching is extremely underrated. I'm not a fan of it myself. I find it boring, so I usually neglect it. The problem is that when you don't stretch, you risk injuring yourself. Good runners know to always stretch regardless of whether it's for a one-mile jog or a 5K.
Stretching gets the blood flowing and relaxes the muscles. When you run without stretching it's like trying to scoop frozen ice cream from the tub. Stretching is that necessary process that softens your leg muscles, just like your pint of Ben & Jerry does when you take it out of the fridge. You'll feel a hell of a lot lighter once you've touched your toes. Don't skip it.
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2. Take care of your armpits.
There are small things that make running annoying. For girls, running without a sports bra can be super irritating and harsh on the chest. Same applies to guys. Good marathon runners always use petroleum jelly.
Itchy armpits are another common issue. It drives me nuts when I'm struggling to get up the hill and I have to scratch every ten seconds. Fortunately, you can treat itchy armpits with natural solutions. Try to minimize the skin stressors for a more enjoyable run.
3. Drop your shoulders way down.
This is something lots of us do subconsciously. When we run, our shoulders tense up and go all the way up to our ears (ok, maybe not all the way up, but you get my point). This is called upper crossed syndrome. Yoga and meditation taught me to always stop my shoulders down and let my arms dangle. Be conscious of unintentionally raising your shoulders and make sure to drop them down, waving the arms.
I often carry my phone in my right hand when I run, because I break every shoulder strap I own. As a result. I always have a terrible knot on my right shoulder. Once I discovered that this was the reason for it, I got myself a fanny pack. Put everything away while you run and make sure to have both hands free and relaxed.
4. Switch up your terrain.
Running on a treadmill is excruciating because it's extremely monotonous. I decided to quit the gym and run outside instead. In doing so, I can run on flat ground for a half a mile, then climb stairs, then spring downhill. It feels more like a game than exercise. The key to enjoying running is to keep it fun. You won't stick with anything that bores you.
Be mindful of the sensations that arise when you run up the hill versus down. Switching up your terrain and your route are essential. Try going for a jog on the beach one morning, then change it up with a mountain trail or the city streets. Keep it interesting.
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5. Mix it up with squat intervals.
The idea of running without stopping for five miles is intimidating. My biggest key to success as a runner is knowing that I can stop anytime I like. When I got back to running four months ago, I started slowly. I would run for a half mile, then stop, do ten squats and continue running. This is especially useful when you're in the city and you have to wait for the traffic light to change. Don't just stand around losing speed and motivation. Do squats.
Squats are an amazing full-body exercise with a ton of benefits . In the long run, they will make your legs stronger and running will become significantly easier. Plus, ladies, squats will give you an incredible, lifted butt.
Incorporate these five simple tricks and watch yourself become a kickass runner.
